Can I Still Drive After a DUI Arrest in Illinois?

 Posted on March 18, 2019 in DUI

With around 27,000 annual arrests for driving under the influence in Illinois, drunk driving is harshly enforced and prosecuted. Still, the court system recognizes that even citizens with flawless driving records make mistakes and that stripping an individual of their driver’s license can make life extremely difficult, especially when it affects a person’s ability to get to work every day.

Some DUI offenders are eligible to keep their driving privileges with the installation and use of a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) in their vehicle. Around 10,000 Illinoisans currently utilize this system in order to complete necessary daily tasks.

What Is a BAIID?

A BAIID only allows a vehicle to start after the driver passes a breathalyzer test. The driver must also pass periodic tests while the vehicle is in use. A camera also captures an image of the driver as they take the breath test. All results are sent to the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, which performs audits of the information and revokes BAIID use if there is evidence of DUI or tampering with the device.

How Do I Get a BAIID?

First-time DUI offenders age 18 and over must first apply for a monitoring device driving permit (MDDP) through the Secretary of State’s office. This permit only applies to personal vehicle use, not a commercial motor vehicle. Eligibility is denied for anyone whose DUI resulted in great bodily harm or death or who has a previous reckless homicide conviction.

Anyone convicted of a DUI or multiple DUIs must apply for a restricted driving permit (RDP), show why a hardship exists, provide a professional alcohol/drug evaluation, and if necessary, proof of treatment or remedial education. An applicant must also appear before a hearing for a criminal and driving record review to ensure they are not a threat to public safety. 

BAIID costs include an initial installation fee ($100), rental fee ($80 monthly), and monitoring fee ($30 monthly). Even at $1,420 combined for a year, this can be a good and essential deal when compared to completely losing your ability to drive.

Contact a Joliet DUI Attorney

If you are charged with DUI, McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC will fight to keep a conviction off your record and preserve your driving privileges. If police violated your rights, we will find out and ask for a case dismissal. Otherwise, you can trust our adept Will County DUI defense lawyers will achieve the best possible outcome. Call us at 815-727-0100 for a free consultation.

Source: 

https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a118.pdf