Chicago DWI Defense Lawyer

Lawyer Defending Clients Against DWI Charges Throughout Illinois and the United States

The state of Illinois uses the term "driving under the influence," or DUI, to cover all forms of illegally operating a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. However, some other states use the term DWI (driving while intoxicated) either to cover the same offense as DUI or as a separate charge. In some states, DWI is used to refer to impairment by drugs or by a combination of drugs and alcohol, while in others, it can refer to a more serious alcohol-related charge than DUI.

Attorney Stephen M. Komie has over 40 years of experience litigating criminal defense cases throughout Illinois and the United States, and he understands the different types of DWI charges that drivers can face across the country. If you have been charged with drunk driving or any other DWI offense, he can help you address these charges and achieve the best results in your case.

Out of State DWI Convictions

Illinois drivers should be aware that a DWI conviction in another state will result in their Illinois driver's license being suspended for a minimum of one year. Even if you are able to have charges reduced to reckless driving involving alcohol (also known as "wet reckless") in the state where the arrest was made, the state of Illinois will suspend your license. In these cases, you need a DWI defense attorney who can help you further reduce your charges or fight to receive a not guilty verdict.

Breath Tests and Field Sobriety Tests

In every state, drivers give implied consent to be tested for impairment if a police officer has reasonable cause to believe that they were driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These tests usually take the form of a breathalyzer that measures a driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or field sobriety tests in which an officer asks a driver to perform tasks like reciting the alphabet, standing on one foot, or walking in a straight line.

What many drivers do not realize is that even though implied consent laws exist, they have the right to refuse to take breath tests or field sobriety tests. Depending on the state, refusal to take a test carries consequences such as the automatic suspension of one's driver's license, but this can be preferable to a DWI conviction. If asked to take a test, you should politely refuse to do so until you have an attorney present.

If you do take and fail a test, our attorneys can work to have the results thrown out by showing that a device was not calibrated properly, a field sobriety test was not administered correctly, the officer did not have probable cause to pull you over, or that medical conditions or conditions on the road affected the results of the test.

Contact a DWI Defense Lawyer

If you have been arrested and charged with DWI, you should contact the offices of Komie and Associates as soon as possible. We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your arrest, examine the evidence, help you understand strategies for your defense, and work with you to help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Contact an Illinois DWI defense attorney today at 312-263-2800 to schedule a free consultation.