Illinois DUI Traffic Stops: What Happens Next?

 Posted on October 26,2018 in DUI Defense

Seeing flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror usually causes panic or a sinking feeling of dread. If a police officer pulls you over because he or she suspects that you may have been drinking, you probably did something that caught their attention, which could have been as simple as forgetting to use your blinker while you were turning or as serious as swerving in and out of your lane. Most DUI stops in Illinois will follow the same procedure, but can vary depending on the individual officer and police department they are with. Being pulled over can be scary, but if you know what to expect, it can be a little less intimidating.

Timeline of a DUI Arrest

• You could have been stopped at a routine roadside safety check, or the officer could be stopping you because they have probable cause or reasonable suspicion that you are under the influence. Most of the time you will have broken a traffic law in some way.
• Once the officer has pulled you over, he will begin observing you while he asks for your license, registration, and proof of insurance. Most of the time he will be able to tell whether or not you are under the influence of alcohol from this observation.
• If he thinks that you may be under the influence, he will ask you to get out of your vehicle to perform a couple field sobriety tests. If he does not think you are under the influence, he will let you go.
• The officer will then conduct various field sobriety tests, which can be both standardized and non-standardized. The most common field sobriety tests used are the walk-and-turn test, the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, and the one-leg stand test.
• If you failed any of the field sobriety tests, the officer has gained probable cause and will then place you under arrest for DUI and take you to the police station where you will be asked to submit to chemical testing of your breath, blood or urine.
• If you refuse to submit to chemical testing or you fail the chemical test, you will be subject to a statutory summary suspension.
• If your driver’s license is valid, you will receive a receipt which allows you to drive for the next 45 days. After those 45 days, the statutory summary suspension will go into effect.
• You will be required to post bond or you may be kept in police custody until bond is posted. Your vehicle may also be impounded, towed or seized.

Are You Facing DUI Charges? A Skilled Chicago DUI Defense Lawyer Is Your Answer

What you do after you are arrested for DUI is of the utmost importance. If you will be subject to a statutory summary suspension, you only have 45 days until that goes into effect. Discussing your case with a Skokie DUI defense lawyer can help you figure out what your best plan of action is. Your next step should be to contact the Luisi Legal Group to see how our skilled attorneys can represent you and help you minimize the impact this will have on your life. Call the office at 773-276-5541 to set up a consultation.

Source:

https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a118.pdf