What happens when you get a DUI? If you are pulled over and charged with a DUI in Illinois, you may face a wide range of penalties and consequences such as fines, imprisonment, license suspension, and community service. You may also be required to get help at an addiction treatment center in Illinois.
In addition to penalties for a DUI in Illinois, you may also face numerous personal consequences such as loss of a job, financial problems, and a damaged reputation. DUIs can cost you thousands of dollars and can affect nearly every area of your life. In the end, is it worth it to get in the car when you are drunk? Let’s look a little closer at what you can expect and how Northern Illinois Recovery Center can help you.
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Penalties for a DUI in Illinois
The state of Illinois imposes stiff penalties for driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Penalties may include:
- Up to one year in prison
- A fine of up to $2500
- Up to 240 hours of community service
- Mandatory treatment for alcoholism or substance abuse
If your DUI included an accident that resulted in injury or fatality, the penalties are considerably higher. For instance, a DUI charge that resulted in a fatality is a Class X felony punishable by 6 to 30 years of prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Penalties increase if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .16 or more.
Driver’s License Revocation
The state of Illinois will revoke your license for a DUI charge. For a first offense, the revocation period is one year. After the revocation period ends, you must apply for another license. If your BAC was .16 or greater, you might not apply for your license until after two years from the date of your conviction.
A second DUI conviction carries a more severe penalty. If you are charged with a second DUI within 20 years of the first DUI, your license is revoked for five years. A third DUI carries a penalty of revocation for ten years. Any person who has four or more convictions may not apply for a driver’s license.
Mandatory Alcohol Treatment
Depending on your circumstance (for instance, if you have a BAC of .16 or you have multiple DUIs), you may be required to participate in a DUI recovery program at Northern Illinois Recovery. A program may include detox, rehab, and aftercare services from an accredited alcohol addiction rehab center.
Treatment centers offer an array of treatment services such as evidence-based treatment, holistic care, individual and family therapy, and outpatient/inpatient treatment services. Once you complete a DUI recovery program, you may have your sentence reduced or be able to recover your license sooner.
Loss of Job
There are some circumstances in which you may lose your job because of your DUI. For example, if your job position requires you to adhere to certain moral or ethical codes, a DUI could hurt your influence and position in the company. The employer may have to let you go.
If you require transportation to and from work, or if your job requires you to drive a commercial vehicle, you could lose your professional license. As a result, your employer will have to fire you. Some companies may let you go because you are a liability that they can’t afford to keep around.
Learn More About What Happens When You Get a DUI at Northern Illinois Recovery Center
Learn more about what happens when you get a DUI at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. We offer comprehensive treatment for alcoholism at our dual diagnosis recovery center. Call Northern Illinois Recovery Center at 855.786.1978 to find out more about your treatment options.
Licensed Physician and Surgeon
Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, and is the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at both campuses. Beth completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty as a member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She has extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, and her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment.
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