Mokena, IL DUI Defense Lawyer

Experienced Mokena DUI Defense Lawyer Serving Illinois

If you are convicted of a DUI, the consequences can have a long-term—if not permanent—impact on your future. A DUI conviction leaves a permanent mark on your criminal record, potentially hindering employment prospects, professional licensing, and even housing opportunities. It may also impact your eligibility for government benefits, immigration status, and custody arrangements in family court proceedings.

If you have been arrested for DUI, do not delay in calling Issa Law, LLC. By working with Attorney Khaled Issa, an assertive and aggressive legal advocate in criminal cases in the Mokena area, you can make sure you will be able to respond to DUI charges and defend against a conviction. Attorney Issa has extensive experience representing clients just like you, and he will do all he can to protect your rights and interests during the legal process, taking steps to help you minimize the potential penalties you may face and regain your driving privileges as soon as possible.

The following are some of the areas where a DUI conviction can have a significant negative impact on a person's life:

Legal Penalties for DUI

When a person is convicted of DUI in Illinois, he or she faces a range of immediate and lasting consequences. These penalties may include the suspension or revocation of a driver's license, fines, court costs, probation, installation of breath alcohol ignition interlock devices (BAIID) in the vehicles a person drives, and mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs. While a person may not always be sentenced to jail time, even a first-time DUI is a Class A misdemeanor that carries a potential sentence of up to one year in jail. Subsequent DUI convictions will result in harsher penalties, such as longer license suspensions or revocations, mandatory jail time, and higher fines.

Financial Impact of a DUI Conviction

The financial repercussions of a DUI can be substantial, and they can cause significant burdens on the person convicted and his or her family. In addition to fines and legal fees, there is often an increase in automobile insurance costs, expenses associated with the reinstatement of a driver's license and the installation of ignition interlock devices, and expenses related to mandatory alcohol treatment programs or counseling. A case can also result in lost wages when a person is required to make court appearances and a significant loss of income if the person convicted is sentenced to jail.

Driver's License Consequences

A DUI conviction typically results in the revocation of a person's driver's license, limiting their ability to travel and fulfill their daily responsibilities. Even if a person is not convicted of DUI, they may face an automatic license suspension if they failed a chemical test of their blood alcohol content or refused to take a chemical test after being arrested for DUI. The loss of driving privileges can cause issues with a person's current job, and it can limit their future employment opportunities. In some cases, a person may be eligible for a restricted driving permit during a period of suspension or revocation, but they will need to demonstrate that they will experience hardship if they are prohibited from driving, and a permit will only allow them to drive at certain times and for specific purposes.

Professional Consequences of a DUI

If a person has a career that involves driving, or if they hold a professional license, a DUI conviction can cause serious professional issues. People in the healthcare, transportation, or education fields are subject to strict regulations regarding DUI arrests and convictions. A conviction can possibly result in disciplinary action or the suspension or revocation of a professional license.

Immigration Consequences

Immigrants who have been arrested for DUI may face severe consequences that could affect their legal status in the United States. A DUI conviction could lead to deportation in some cases, or a person could be deemed inadmissible, affecting their ability to receive a visa or Green Card. Under U.S. immigration laws, DUI may be considered a "crime of moral turpitude" that could limit an immigrant's future opportunities in the United States.

Contact Our Mokena, IL DUI Defense Attorney

From the moment of an arrest to the resolution of a case, you need a dedicated Mokena DUI defense lawyer fighting for you. Contact Issa Law, LLC at 708-966-2408 to schedule a private consultation with Attorney Issa so you can rest easier knowing you have a skilled attorney representing you. Attorney Issa will evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and develop a defense strategy to help you avoid a conviction and minimize the effects a DUI charge may have on your life. With so much at stake, it is critical to have a seasoned DUI defense lawyer fighting for you.