No one ever heads out to a night at the bar with the intention of getting arrested for driving under the influence. While we all know that it's best to take a taxi after imbibing, many of us will erroneously believe that we're less inebriated than we actually are and make the foolish decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
If you think you know everything about DUI charges, think again. Here are three facts that might surprise you.
You'd Be Better Off Getting One North of The Border
We're not talking about Canada. Instead, we're talking about that other neighbor to the north, Wisconsin. While our favorite sports rivals might not beat us when it comes to baseball and pizza, they boast some of the least strict DUI laws in the nation. A first DUI offense in the state of Wisconsin is a civil matter, not a criminal one. While Wisconsin is often ridiculed for its ultra-relaxed DUI laws, they have been trying to crack down on offenders more in the past few years, increasing fines and penalties for DUI offenses.
You Can Get a DUI Sober (Sort Of)
You can get a DUI even if you haven't consumed so much as a single drop of alcohol. Remember, DUI stands for "driving under the influence," not "driving drunk." "The influence" can refer to a wide array of substances, from medications that you've legally been prescribed to street drugs like heroin. Unfortunately, these arrests are often at the officer's discretion, since these substances can't be detected via a breathalyzer.
You Can't "Opt-Out" of a Blood Alcohol Test
It sounds like fine logic. After all, if you refuse the blood alcohol test, there's no evidence that you were driving drunk. However, it's important to remember that an officer's testimony is still considered very substantial evidence in a DUI case. Plus, if you refuse the field sobriety test, you'll likely be arrested, and the police will obtain a warrant requiring you to surrender to a blood test.
If you've been arrested for a DUI in Illinois, you need the aid of legal professionals who will fight for your rights. Contact The Toney Law Firm today (888) 473-4058 for more information on how you can seek justice and fairness.