Belleville Criminal Defense Blog

Drunk driving is always a serious offense, but it can become even more serious if it leads to a loss of life. If a drunk driver causes an accident that kills one or more people, the driver may face charges reckless homicide while driving under the influence. In Illinois, an aggravated DUI with multiple deaths is classified as a Class 2 felony and could result in 6-28 years in prison and up to $25,000. Drivers facing these serious charges often benefit from a solid DUI defense strategy.

Recently, a driver from Beach Park, Illinois was driving under the influence of alcohol in Wisconsin and rear-ended a SUV on a highway, causing the deaths of three people in the SUV, according to news reports. A fourth person in the SUV suffered serious injuries and was taken to the hospital.

If you have been charged with a crime in Illinois, the severity of the consequences you may face will often depend on if you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. Generally, more serious crimes are classified as felonies, which carry the most serious penalties, while less severe crimes are classified as misdemeanors, which typically result in less significant consequences. A criminal defense attorney can give you the best chance at avoiding a criminal conviction by helping you come up with an effective defense strategy.

However, most states have different levels of felonies and misdemeanors, but all classes of misdemeanors in Illinois generally result in a prison sentence for less than a year. In Illinois, misdemeanors are divided into Class A, Class B and Class C.

Possession of a controlled substance is a crime in Illinois and the severity of the crime will depend on a number of factors. Possession of cocaine is classified as a Class 1 Felony in Illinois and can result in anywhere from four to 50 years in prison and up to $200,000 in fines, depending on the quantity of drugs in your possession.

Reality star June Shannon, known as "Mama June," from the TV series, "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" and "Mama June: From Not to Hot," was recently arrested with her boyfriend for drug possession. According to authorities, police officers responded to a gas station, where Shannon claimed she was verbally attacked by her boyfriend, Eugene "Geno" Doak, who apparently threatened to kill Shannon and had intent to act on the threat. Shannon was listed as the victim in a domestic violence case report against Doak. Doak is now facing misdemeanor charges for third-degree domestic violence.

A Chicago woman was charged with a felony DUI after a sole-vehicle accident left a 70-year-old man dead. The woman was driving a vehicle that hit the I-55 overpass, causing the vehicle to flip onto its side. The man was a passenger in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman and another passenger were treated for injuries, and the woman was later charged with aggravated DUI and DUI. The woman is being held in county jail and her bail has been set at $100,000. She will need to post $10,000 to be released. DUI charges can be reduced or dismissed if the right DUI defense strategy is used.

In many drunk driving cases, a police officer will stop a driver for erratic driving or a traffic violation. Once the officer pulls the vehicle over, the officer may notice that the driver is exhibiting signs of intoxication such as slurred speech or bloodshot eyes. The officer may then ask the driver to submit to a Breathalyzer test to determine the driver's blood alcohol content or ask the driver to take a field sobriety test. Based on the test results and their observations, the officer may determine that the driver was driving while intoxicated and arrest the driver for a DUI.