What Usually Happens if You Get a DUI While Working in Illinois?

On Behalf of Madelyn Daley & Associates   |   Dec 12, 2024   |   DUI

Whether you drive for a living or not, a DUI arrest while you’re working is bad news. The arrest itself can lead to an automatic driver’s license suspension, and a conviction will lead to further penalties, including possible jail time and hefty fines. If the police arrest you on suspicion of drunk driving while you are working, it’s crucial to know what happens next and how to fight these charges.

Can Your Employer Fire You for a DUI Charge?

No matter your occupation, your employer likely won’t be happy if you’re arrested on suspicion of DUI while working. Since Illinois is an at-will employment state, your employer can fire you for almost any reason, including a DUI arrest. It doesn’t matter if the authorities eventually drop the charges or whether you serve any jail time. The arrest is enough cause for your employer to fire you, and you should prepare for this possibility. However, if you and your lawyer can show you did nothing wrong, you might have a chance of getting your job back.

What Happens After an Illinois DUI Arrest

If the police have cause to arrest you after stopping you on suspicion of drunk driving, they’ll take you into custody for a formal blood, breath, or urine test. If the test shows you have a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher (or 0.04 percent or above for commercial drivers), the state will automatically suspend your driver’s license. If you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), this automatic suspension also applies to this license. Finally, refusing a chemical blood, breath, or urine test will also trigger an automatic license suspension under the Illinois implied consent law.

This automatic license suspension is separate from the penalties you might face if the authorities convict you of drunk driving. However, you can appeal this automatic suspension through a process called a Petition to Rescind. With help from a skilled and experienced attorney, you could keep your driving privileges until your case concludes.

Regardless of whether your Petition to Rescind succeeds, the next stage of your case is the formal legal process for your DUI charge. If you plead guilty or the authorities convict you, you’ll face a lengthy driver’s license suspension, jail time, fines, and other penalties. An Illinois DUI defense lawyer can help contest these charges to help you keep your driving privileges and avoid other penalties.

Defenses for Illinois DUI Charges

Your lawyer can devise the best strategy to fight an Illinois DUI charge, and some potential defense strategies include:

  • Challenging the traffic stop leading to your arrest
  • Looking for any issues with the chemical blood, breath, or urine test that shows you were impaired
  • Checking for any issues with how the authorities handled the evidence against you
  • Showing that you had a medical condition that affected the chemical blood, breath, or urine test

Contact Our Illinois DUI Defense Attorneys Now

The team at Madelyn Daley & Associates has handled many DUI cases and can help you avoid the worst possible outcome in your situation. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.