DUI and DWI Defense Attorneys in Bloomington, Illinois

Formidable drunk driving defense attorneys

The attorneys at Skelton & Wong, P.C. have more than 70 years of combined experience in aggressively representing the rights of people accused of driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Bloomington and throughout Illinois. Our experienced trial attorneys can assist you with navigating the court system — from the moment of arrest to the day of trial. We provide you with the advice you need to pursue a just result.

We are familiar with the standard of proof required for the prosecution to convict a defendant of DUI. Through aggressive pre-trial preparation, we have been able to successfully challenge traffic stops leading up to arrests for DUI, the validity of field sobriety tests and the suspension of driving privileges post-conviction. In addition, we have challenged DUI arrests on the basis of unlawful detention or arrest. As experienced attorneys in the area of DUI defense, our firm aggressively defends your rights when you retain our services for your DUI defense.

A record of success with DUI and DWI in Illinois

When you have been arrested or charged with DUI, a lawyer is your ultimate advocate and the nominal attorney’s fee is often worth the cost. A drunk driving conviction can result in a suspension of your driver’s license, higher insurance premiums and a possible prison term. Your criminal record will reflect the conviction, which may then cost you employment opportunities and possibly affect your credit rating. At the law offices of Skelton & Wong, P.C., our attorneys can investigate the criminal charges against you and defend you in a court of law.

You should know that any statement you make during the police stop or the initial interrogation can be misconstrued and/or repeated in a court of law. Today, most police vehicles are equipped with video cameras, which record your every move during a police stop. If you admit guilt in order to gain an officer’s sympathy, your statement may be used against you in court. If your speech is slurred because you are tired, it is possible that a judge may infer you were drunk. It is generally in your best interest to remain silent until after your attorney arrives.

An attorney is trained to examine the evidence in ways that protect you from an unfair prosecution. You may not know that a police officer must demonstrate probable cause for pulling you over and placing you under arrest. Invasive procedures like blood alcohol tests are not required by state law when less invasive procedures such as breathalyzers may be used. Illegal conduct, such as the use of unnecessary force or improper search and seizure, can lead to the suppression of evidence. An attorney can help you exercise your legal rights when pitted against a team of well-trained police and prosecutors.

If you are under arrest and the police are waiting to interrogate you or administer a blood alcohol exam or breathalyzer, it is in your best interest to request to speak with an attorney before submitting to the exams. Whereas most defendants have very little experience with arrest, police and prosecutors are trained to capture damning evidence that can cause you to be jailed for a very long time. An attorney can protect you in a DUI arrest situation by ensuring that exams are administered properly and that you are aware of your legal rights.

Penalties for DUI/DWI in Illinois

Traffic stops can happen for any number of reasons including equipment violations. Any traffic stop may result in an investigation leading to a DUI arrest. Under the DUI laws, a driver can be considered to be DUI if there is any amount of a drug in the driver’s breath, blood or urine, even if there was no erratic driving.

An arrest for DUI almost always triggers a suspension of your driving privileges for a minimum of six months, depending on whether the driver submits to testing and also depending on whether the driver is a first-time offender. During this suspension period, a driver may only operate a vehicle with a MDDP (Monitoring Device Driving Permit) and a BAIID (Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device). The BAIID device comes with numerous regulations and responsibilities.

The severity of DUI laws and penalties has exploded over the years. A violation of DUI laws may lead to suspension of driving privileges, and a conviction may result in license revocation. Refusal to submit to testing at the request of the investigating officer can double the length of any suspension for a first-time offender. Driving privileges are completely suspended during the first 30 days of a statutory summary suspension. Thereafter, a first-time offender may drive only with the issuance of a Monitoring Device Driving Permit and a BAIID. In addition to these administrative penalties, there are criminal penalties including but not limited to fines, costs and jail. Frequently, a driver is stopped for reasons other than erratic or improper driving. Issues surrounding the stop of a vehicle, the lawfulness of a detention or arrest, and the administration of field sobriety tests should always be examined during the review of a DUI case.

Attorneys who stand beside you, every step of the way

If you are facing an arrest for DUI/DWI, consider what is at stake. Your reputation, your employability and your future prospects may be destroyed by a conviction in the upcoming criminal trial. To speak to a lawyer, contact the attorneys of Skelton & Wong, P.C. at 309.820.9599. Let us put our DUI defense experience to work for you.

Call today: 309.820.9599

Skelton & Wong, P.C. is a law firm proudly serving Bloomington, Illinois and surrounding communities throughout McLean, Woodford, Logan, Peoria, Dewitt and Tazewell counties in Illinois.