How Severe Are DWI Charges For Repeat Offenders In Illinois?

How Severe Are DWI Charges For Repeat Offenders In Illinois?

In Illinois, DWI charges and DUI charges are used interchangeably. The charges are severe even for first-time offenders. However, a professional Palos Heights DWI lawyer will fight diligently to reduce the severity of the impact such a charge can have on your life.

Penalties for Multiple DUI/DWI Charges in Illinois

In Illinois, driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) is illegal. You will be charged if your blood alcohol content (BAC) tests are above 0.08% or you show visible signs of intoxication.
As long as no one was killed or injured when you drove intoxicated, and your passenger is not under 16 years of age, it will be considered a Class A misdemeanor. The charge can result in a one-year prison sentence, a $2,500 fine, and license revocation for a year.

The charges and penalties increase in severity with each subsequent conviction:

• A second conviction within 20 years of the first can result in license revocation for five years.
• A third conviction is considered a Class 2 felony that carries a 3 to a 7-year jail sentence, fines up to $25,000, and license revocation for 10 years.
• A fourth conviction is also considered a Class 2 felony which carries the same jail sentence and fines as the third one but with lifetime license revocation.
• A fifth conviction is considered a Class 1 felony which carries a 4 to 15-year jail sentence, a fine amounting to $25,000, and a lifetime license revocation.
• A sixth conviction or more is considered a Class X felony which carries a 6 to 30 years jail sentence, a potential $25,000 fine, and lifetime license revocation.

As you can see, DUI/DWI charges in Illinois get more severe for repeat offenders as they keep getting charged with them. The significant penalties and jail sentences can set you back in your career and have long-lasting negative implications for your personal life. Even though Illinois rolled out new considerations for driving under the influence of cannabis, you can still be charged with a DWI if your BAC levels exceed a certain level.

Representation from a skilled defense attorney can be quite helpful in this case. A good Palos Heights DWI lawyer can help you reduce those sentences with skillful negotiations. A second or subsequent DUIs can derail your life or prevent you from maintaining a fulfilling lifestyle.

Contact Our Palos Heights DWI Lawyers

If you face serious DWI charges, you need defense lawyers who can fight for your rights and ensure your sentence isn’t catastrophic. We take all DWI charges seriously at Michael D. Ettinger & Associates, whether you are a first-time or repeat offender.

We urge you to take them just as seriously rather than seeing them as an inconvenience. The penalties and jail time for subsequent charges are severe enough to make life extremely difficult. We will fight diligently to reduce the severity of the impact these changes may have on your future. Don’t wait. Get in touch with us immediately after being charged, and we will arrange a highly confidential consultation for you with our defense attorneys!