Matthew David Keenan DUI/DWI Law Blog on Lawyers.com

            You were
having a good time visiting friends in Illinois when you got pulled over and
charged with DUI.  Since you live in
another state, coming back to Illinois to fight your DUI is a real hassle.  Can you afford to ignore the Illinois
proceeding?

            The short
answer is no.

            For
starters, if you ever intend to return to Illinois, ignoring your DUI can cause
you much grief.   If you do not appear for your Court date, the
Judge can issue a warrant for your arrest, and you could lose whatever bond you
may have already paid.  If you later return
to Illinois and are stopped by police for any reason, you will automatically be
taken to jail.  If you are arrested on a
Friday night, you could spend your whole weekend in jail before a bond hearing
is set.

            Because you
already failed to appear at Court, the Judge could set a much higher bond,
which may be difficult for you to meet. 
And because, in the Court’s view, you have already shown disrespect for
the process, the Judge might subject you to higher penalties, such as a larger
fine or more time in jail.

            Even if you
believe you will never return to the state, an arrest warrant issued in
Illinois could be enforced against you in your home state.  Plus ignoring your Illinois DUI could still affect
your license.  If you do not appear for
your Illinois DUI, the Judge can also enter a conviction against you in your
absence.  You would then lose any chance
you had at contesting the case and possibly winning a dismissal.  The State of Illinois can also report any
conviction to your home state. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocN ame=062500050HCh%2E+6+Art%2E+VII&ActID=1815&ChapterID=49&SeqStart=85800000&SeqEnd=86 800000

            If you are
charged with an Illinois DUI, you should contact an experienced attorney
immediately.  As with other criminal
offenses, the State must prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  An experienced attorney can probe for
weaknesses in the state’s case.  Did the
police have probable cause to stop you or have you take a breathalyzer?  Did you show evidence that you were too
intoxicated to drive?  Even if the
evidence against you is strong, an attorney can help you negotiate a better
plea agreement than you might get on your own.

            If you have
questions about this or another related criminal or traffic matter, please
contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

(Besides Skokie, Matt
Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield,
Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles,
Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)