Joliet Criminal Defense Blog

There are several things people say will trick an ignition interlock device to make it appear as if you aren't intoxicated when you are. The ignition interlock device's job is to make sure your vehicle does not start if you are intoxicated when you get inside. If it was easy to trick, then many people would end up driving while intoxicated.

It's nearly impossible to trick an ignition interlock device because of the way the new generation of machines works. The new machines allow for rolling retests, which means that you have to blow into the machine and retest your breath while you're driving. If you fail the test, the horn and lights begin to activate, making you pull over to avoid detection.

There are times when fighting a traffic ticket is the best thing you can do. There are also times when you may come to realize that paying the fine and moving on with your life makes the most sense.

Here's what you need to remember: A traffic ticket can impact you in many ways, such as leading to a license suspension and/or car insurance premium increase. So, if you have reason to believe that one of these consequences will come into play, it may be time to fight back.

When you've gotten arrested and charged with a driving under the influence (DUI) offense, you may worry about your options. Many people tend to assume that roadside sobriety tests and breath tests are infallible. Concern about that sentiment among jurors or people you know may make you feel like pleading guilty is your best choice. In reality, a guilty plea leaves you at the mercy of the court.

When it comes to DUI offenses, even if you don't have a previous criminal record, you could face the maximum penalties. Judges tend to view DUI offenses as social crimes and their punishments as social statements. Even if no one got hurt, the nature of your offense is that you placed other people in danger with your decisions. The judge wants to make a point to keep you and others who hear about your case from making the same mistake and endangering others on the road.

If you're facing charges that resulted from a traffic stop at a roadblock, you may be wondering about that law enforcement tactic. It may not seem quite fair, even a violation of your Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure. When did simply getting behind the wheel of a car create reasonable suspicion for a traffic stop and sobriety test? Before delving deeper, it's important to note that it's critical to your future to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible if you are facing driving under the influence (DUI) charges in Illinois.

Roadblocks aren't the only reason why those who were not intoxicated could face DUI charges. Other issues could arise from a faulty breath testing unit or any number of plausible causes during a major roadblock initiative.