Joliet DUI Defense Attorney
Experience has its Rewards
Hiring an experienced DUI defense lawyer is essential to getting the best defense for a DUI arrest. If concerned about possible jail time, loss of driving privileges and/or total costs, only an attorney who is in the Will County DUI courtrooms regularly can best answer any questions you may have.
I am a former Will County prosecutor and have handled DUI cases in the Joliet courthouse since 1985. I am in the Joliet DUI courtrooms on a daily basis and have successfully helped hundreds of clients accused of DUI.
What is a DUI?
A person commits a DUI when they are:
- in actual physical control of a motor vehicle AND
- under the influence of alcohol, or
- under the influence of a drug, or
- under the combined influence drugs and alcohol, or
- have an alcohol content of .08 or greater,
- or have in their body the presence of an illegal drug
Actual physical control:
A DUI must involve someone being in “actual physical control” of a motor vehicle. A person does not have to be driving to be charged with a DUI. “Actual physical control” means there is a present ability to operate the vehicle. An example would be a person getting behind the wheel of his or her car after leaving a bar, but falls asleep behind the wheel in the parking lot. Even though the car did not move from its parking spot, the person behind the wheel is in “actual physical control” of the car.
Under the Influence Alcohol:
A person is under the influence of alcohol when they consume any amount of alcohol that impairs their ability to think or act with ordinary care. Alcohol can be consumed legally. It is not illegal to drink and drive. It is only illegal if the alcohol consumed causes impairment.
Under the influence of a drug:
A person is under the influence of a drug when they consume any drug that impairs their ability to think or act with ordinary care. It does not have to be an illegal drug. Like alcohol, it is not the use but the effect.
Alcohol concentration of .08 or greater:
This type of DUI does not involve impairment. If a breath test is taken and results in a result of .08 or higher, a person will be charged with DUI. Intoxication does not need to be shown by the prosecutor. The breath test by itself is enough.
Bodily presence of an illegal drug:
Like an .08 or greater case, a person can be charged with a DUI if they give a blood or urine sample and are found to have any type of illegal drug in their body. Impairment is not an issue. The chemical test showing a positive result for an illegal drug is enough.
Our Experience as a Joliet DUI Lawyer
Former prosecutor and DUI defense attorney Steven Haney is one of the best and most experienced DUI defense lawyers in Will County. He has successfully handled DUI cases for over 25 years. He works regularly with judges and prosecutors in the Joliet courthouse.
It is important to have a proven, skilled Joliet DUI defense attorney by your side, even if your DUI charge is your first. Due to stronger penalties in DUI cases, you face suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, a fine and possibly even a jail sentence. A second or subsequent arrest could amount to felony DUI charges, along with a potentially steep increase in your vehicle insurance costs, loss of reputation, difficulty in getting to your job and embarrassment for your family.
You want to avoid any and all of these worst-case scenarios. Don’t surrender your right to contest what the authorities say took place during your DUI arrest. Contact our Joliet DUI defense attorney today. We’ll work hard to get the best possible result so your life can return to normal.
Experienced, Aggressive and Knowledgeable DUI Defense
Our skilled, creative DUI defense lawyer routinely handles all DUI related cases such as:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Felony DUI
- Driving on a suspended driver’s license
- Juvenile matters (underage drinking)
- Blood/Urine testing
- Breathalyzer test
- Breath Or Blood Test Refusal
- Field Sobriety Test
He investigates every facet of your DUI defense. Perhaps a medical condition played a role in your state of mind or maybe the police didn’t exactly follow proper procedures. As an experienced Joliet DUI defense attorney, he’ll look for every possible way to obtain the best result in your case.
Common DUI Defense Questions
How will a DUI arrest affect my driving privileges?
Am I eligible for a driving permit?
Can anything be done to avoid the summary suspension?
What happens if I am convicted of a DUI? Is a revocation different than suspension?
How can I avoid receiving a conviction for DUI? What is court supervision?
What are the typical penalties for a DUI case in Joliet, Will County?
Do the police have to read me my Miranda rights upon arrest?
Contact Our Joliet Law Offices
If you’ve been arrested on DUI charges, we offer free initial consultations at the Law Office of Steven Haney in Joliet, serving Will County for over 25 years. Contact our experienced, aggressive and knowledgeable defense lawyer by phone, fax or e-mail today.
