The state of Illinois classifies DUIs as either misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the individual situation. While a misdemeanor certainly carries consequences, a felony conviction can alter your life even more significantly. Having a felony conviction could disqualify you from certain housing or educational opportunities, and it could negatively impact your career. Here at Ryan and Ryan Attorneys at Law, we understand the potential consequencesContinue reading
Category: Drunk Driving
Category: Drunk Driving
The tricks to contest a traffic stop
There are two kinds of vehicle stops, traffic stops, and checkpoints. At a checkpoint, you are not able to contest the validity of the stop except in rare circumstances. Checkpoints are not viewed as investigatory, they are classified as public safety and health initiatives, therefore, criminal protections do not extend to them (even though the practical effect is the same). But, you can contest a traffic stop.Continue reading
DUI incidents increase during the winter holidays
It may not seem immediately clear, but yes, drunken driving incidents do increase over the winter holidays. In some places, they increase by impressive margins over regular drinking rates. Data collected by Scram Systems found troubling increases in drinking from November to December. This post will go over the data and what it may mean for you. The data revealed that Thanksgiving is the kick-off to theContinue reading
How does a DUI affect immigration status? Part 1
Contrary to popular belief, a felony conviction or arrest does not mean you are automatically subject to deportation. To be sure, it isn’t ideal. However, it isn’t the end of the world. A DUI results when you are arrested and charged with operating a vehicle (any vehicle, motorcycle, car or truck) while under the influence of alcohol. The police can determine you are under the effect byContinue reading
Police may have a new way to test THC impaired drivers
THC is the active ingredient in marijuana; it is what is responsible for getting people high. To date, there is still no reliable THC analog for the famed BAC Breathalyzer. Scientists are not even sure what threshold of THC constitutes “impaired driving.” But California police officers are looking to answer some of those questions as they participate in a field test of the latest iterationContinue reading
Future of anti-drunk driving technology
Drunken driving accidents kill around 10,000 Americans a year. It costs billions of dollars in medical bills, legal fees, damage to property and other harms. As a result, the government and non-profits pour millions of dollars into social programs and technology to reduce the rate of intoxicated drivers. There are a variety of onboard technologies in the works aimed at keeping drunk drivers from operating motor vehicles. The DepartmentContinue reading
Illinois drunk driving by the numbers
Mothers Against Drunk Driving maintains a continually updated database on drunk driving statistics by each state. MADD uses this information to press state lawmakers to improve their laws to punish and discourage drunk driving. This post will go over that report and how it may apply to you. Illinois was one of the first states to introduce the all-offender ignition interlock laws. All offender ignitionContinue reading
Hints that your child is drinking
Children are more vulnerable to the negative effects of alcohol than adults. They get drunk faster. It impacts their brain development. That said, many teenagers will still find a way to drink. It is a part of growing up and rebelling. Some kids do it by finding new friends. Others experiment with drugs. Some channel that rebellious spirit into good grades or college applications while manyContinue reading
Is drugged driving illegal?
The law among states is inconsistent in this area but drugged driving, or driving under the influence of drugs, can result in criminal penalties. Driving while drugged can occur on both legal and illegal medications. It can happen with medicine taken over-the-counter or illicit drugs purchased on a corner. The issue with these various drugs is that they impact each person differently so there isContinue reading
Zero-tolerance DUI laws applied to drivers under 21
It is common knowledge that the “legal limit” for blood alcohol content is 0.08 percent. What you may not know is that there is no such thing as a “legal limit” for drivers too young to legally consume alcohol. Drivers who are under 21 years of age are subject to “zero tolerance” laws. This means that if you are under 21 and you are pulledContinue reading