Illinois DUI Lawyer Blawg
During the holiday season, it seems as if more people are arrested for DUI offenses than during other times of the year. Some states report a higher number of DUIs overall, regardless of the time of year. A recent survey ranked which states have the highest and lowest rate of DUI crimes and offered other key information about DUI offenses during the holiday season. If you were arrested and charged with a DUI during the holidays, it is wise to meet with an Illinois DUI defense lawyer to evaluate your options.
The Worst DUI States
Reportedly, a recent survey of 50 states and an assessment of information from the FBI and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers insights into which states have the highest rates of drinking and driving and which states have the lowest. 5,000 drivers were surveyed as well to determine their observations regarding drinking and driving during the holiday season.
Allegedly, Montana was at the top of the list, as the survey showed that over eight drunk drivers out of every 100,000 drivers caused fatal crashes, and 45% of all traffic deaths in 2020 were caused by drunk drivers. Wyoming had the second-highest rate of drunk driving fatalities, followed by Texas. On the other end of the spectrum, Washington, D.C. had the lowest rate of DUI fatalities, followed by New Jersey and Utah. Notably, over 50% of drivers surveyed indicated they were afraid of being involved in car crashes during the holidays, and almost 40% reported seeing family or friends that appeared to be intoxicated driving home from holiday parties.
DUI Crimes in Illinois
Regardless of when a person is arrested and charged with a DUI crime, the prosecution must establish each element of the charged offense in order to obtain a conviction. Pursuant to Illinois law, this means that the prosecution must show that a person drove or exercised actual physical control over a vehicle and that they either had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher or were under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating substance.
In other words, under Illinois law, a person can be convicted of a DUI offense even if the state lacks evidence of their blood alcohol level, as long as the state can show that they consumed alcohol or another prescription or illicit substance in a quantity that rendered them incapable of driving safely.
Meet with a Trusted Illinois DUI Defense Attorney
DUI offenses carry significant penalties; as such, it is crucial that anyone charged with a DUI crime mount a vigorous defense. If you are accused of a DUI offense, it is smart to meet with an Illinois defense lawyer to evaluate what arguments you may be able to set forth to avoid a conviction. Attorney Theodore J. Harvatin of the Harvatin Law Offices, PC, is a trusted DUI defense attorney who takes pride in helping people fight DUI charges, and if you hire him, he will diligently pursue the best legal result possible under the facts of your case. You can reach Mr. Harvatin via the form online or at 217.525.0520 to set up a meeting.