Category Archives: DUI evidence

CAN YOU FIGHT THE SUSPENSION OF YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE BASED ON A MEDICAL CONDITION?

UPDATED: September 24, 2018 You were driving somewhat erratically, when police stopped you. The officer suspected you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In reality, you suffer from a medical condition, but the officer didn’t believe you. … Continue reading

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HOW FAR CAN POLICE GO IN SEARCHING YOUR CAR? THE LIMITS OF CONSENT

You were driving home from a friend’s when police stopped you for speeding. The police then suspected you might have narcotics in your car. They asked if they could look in your car. You said yes, but how far does … Continue reading

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DO I WIN IF THE POLICE IN ILLINOIS LOST THE VIDEO OF MY DUI ARREST?

The answer is maybe. In Illinois, squad cars that are equipped with video are supposed to video your arrest. This protects both you and the police. It allows the court to see for itself whether you were really as impaired … Continue reading

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HOW A SIMPLE WELLNESS CHECK CAN TURN INTO A DUI ARREST

The officer may have simply been checking to make sure you were OK. You were slumped over your steering wheel, and the officer thought you might have a medical emergency. So she knocked on your window. You were startled and … Continue reading

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DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS IN ILLINOIS

After the officer stopped you for a traffic violation, she searched your car and found illegal drugs. As a result, you were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs. Sure there were drugs in the car, but does that … Continue reading

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DID YOUR CAR COMMIT A CRIME? THE ILLINOIS LAW ON FORFEITURE

After you were arrested for DUI or another offense, the state took a look at your expensive car. Maybe the car really belonged to an innocent third party. In any case, the state wants to keep it. Can they do … Continue reading

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THE AUTOMATIC DUI SUSPENSION OF YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE: WERE YOU ON PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PROPERTY?

(Last updated March 12, 2019) If you are charged with DUI in Illinois, the Secretary of State can automatically suspend your driver’s license—but only if you were on a “public highway.” The law defines a “public highway” as “The entire … Continue reading

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CAN THEY TAKE MY BLOOD WITHOUT A WARRANT? THE U.S. SUPREME COURT SAYS “NO.”

In a recent decision, Birchfield v. North Dakota, the U.S. Supreme Court held that a state cannot require you to take a blood test in order to enforce its drunk driving laws. Subject to certain exceptions, the police must get … Continue reading

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WERE YOU DRIVING A MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER ILLINOIS DUI LAW?

To be convicted of DUI, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. But what exactly is a motor vehicle? Naturally, a car, a truck … Continue reading

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DOG SNIFFS AND THE UNDULY PROLONGED TRAFFIC STOP

In 2005, the United States Supreme Court changed the law regarding police stops. Before Illinois v Caballes, police needed specific and articulable facts to change the nature of a stop. After 2005, an officer could change the nature of the … Continue reading

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