DWI or DUI Court Referral Programs in Illinois

If you have been pulled over and arrested for a drinking and driving offense in Illinois there are a few things that you can do to help stay out of jail and hopefully, avoid a life-changing DUI conviction. Depending on the type of charges you have, you may be required to complete a DWI or DUI Court Referral Program in Illinois. People who have been charged with drunk driving, nonviolent drug-related violations, and who have not been convicted within the past ten years of a crime of violence as defined by 730 ILCS 167/20 must admit to the substance use or addiction to drugs. A driver with no prior charges for driving under the influence (DUI) or reckless driving in Illinois is usually eligible for a special disposition called court supervision. House arrest is given to a person in the place of jail time. Because of this, the house arrest sentence will be equal to their jail sentence. If a person receives 3 years of jail time for their third DUI conviction, they may expect to be on house arrest for 3 years.

A DUI or DWI conviction in Illinois should not be taken lightly. It can have serious life-changing consequences far-reaching into many areas of your life. Going to a DWI deferment program can help you avoid significant jail time, fines, and license revocation periods. Getting help for underlying alcohol addiction will help the courts determine if you are taking full responsibility for driving under the influence and breaking the law. Call us today and let us help you with your drinking and driving arrest and help you find an alcohol recovery program. Addiction No More ® can not give legal advice however if you are looking for rehabilitation for addiction we can help you find treatment in your area or anywhere in the country. Give us a call today and we can help. 

1-800-513-5423

What to do if you have been arrested for drinking and driving in Illinois

Drinking and driving in Illinois can be a serious offense and the consequences can have life-changing outcomes. If you have been pulled over, make sure that you know your rights and remain courteous at all times. Being compliant and courteous can have an effect on the outcome of the court’s layout as punishment.

Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence (DUI) Driving while intoxicated (DWI) and operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OUI). These are the common terms used to describe operating a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In Illinois, driving while intoxicated is considered a misdemeanor and is subject to the state’s laws regarding driving while drunk.

DWI/DUI diversion rehabs in Illinois are very familiar with the court-mandated treatment requirements that the courts have imposed for their court-ordered alcohol rehab centers. Some court-ordered DUI deferment programs will include alcohol evaluations and at the very least, alcohol and drug classes for first-time offenders. This can cost anywhere from $1000-2500 with fines, not including lawyer fees and bail.

If this is your second offense, getting involved in a treatment program for alcohol abuse will not only help your ongoing DWI-DUI case but benefit you as well. You should always enter into an alcohol treatment program knowing that there is a need for a change before something worse happens. Driving and Drinking can cost you your life or even worse someone else life. Treatment programs in Illinois for criminal justice clients will work with the court system to handle all the requirements for treatment to be considered time served. Once all the financial consequences are paid by the defendant and community service is completed, the Illinois district court may terminate the probation period.

Driving under the influence can damage many people’s lives other than yourself. Getting treatment for your alcohol dependency can help you understand that the risks of drinking and driving heavily outweigh the rewards. Sometimes, all it takes is to talk to someone who has had the burden of having someone die due to their alcohol consumption and driving under the influence. Our counselors are ready to take your confidential call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

1-800-513-5423

DUI First-Offender and Diversion Programs

First DUI offenders must complete 100 hours of community service if their blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.16 or higher. Because a first DUI offense is a Class A misdemeanor in Illinois, if you’re arrested and charged with this crime you’ll face a potential jail time of one year and fines of up to $2,500. Rarely are first-time DUI offenders sentenced to months or a full year in jail or prison. First-time DUI offenders who had a minor passenger in their vehicle must complete 25 days of community service in a program that benefits children. 

The laws are different in each state for DWI offenses that allow for deferment programs in lieu of jail time. Some states, depending on the circumstances, will mandate treatment and community service. Some of these mandates can be handled while in treatment for alcohol abuse. Illinois has a deferment program for first-time DWI offenders as long as there are no injuries, accidents, or drugs involved. If you have been arrested for your second DWI/DUI in Illinois, it is highly recommended that you give us a call to find out your options for a deferment program instead of jail time. This will help with the possible consequences that the courts may impose on you. Drinking and driving can have serious outcomes including vehicular homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and other very serious charges. When a minor is involved, there are more serious outcomes that the courts in Illinois can impose on the offender. If there has been an accident or death due to drinking and driving there will be significant jail time imposed as well as the knowledge that your indulgence cost someone their life.

Consequences of driving drunk in Illinois

Illinois has specific drinking and driving laws and penalties for people who have been convicted of a DUI/DWI. There are minimum and maximum fines and penalties that are at the discretion of the judge and prosecuting attorney depending on many different factors and circumstances surrounding the case.

First Offense: 1st DUI/DWI conviction faces up to a year in the prison system and is subjected to a fine of up to $2,500. Driving privileges are suspended for a period of 30 days. An interlock device may be required.

Second Offense: 2nd drinking and driving conviction can result in up to 364 days in jail with a mandatory minimum of 5 days incarceration. Loss of driving privileges for a period of 12 months, Interlock device may be court-ordered, a mandatory fine of $1,250. The court may require alcohol addiction & treatment programs.

Third Offense: 3rd Drinking and driving conviction within 10 years of a previous conviction can result in $2,500 in fines, 90 days in prison, and revoked license at the discretion of the presiding judge. If the license is reinstated the interlock device will be mandated.

Find Deferred Prosecution Rehabs Near Me

We can help you locate treatment for addiction in your area or anywhere in the country. To locate AA meetings, group meetings, 12-step programs, inpatient treatment, or outpatient services in your town give us a call. There are many options for drug rehab services in many cities in Illinois.

Aurora Illinois Alcohol Rehabs
Chicago Il. Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Elgin Illinois Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation
Gilman Ill. Detox Centers and Alcohol Rehabs
Joliet IL Alcoholism Treatment Facilities
Naperville, Illinois Substance Abuse and Alcohol Treatment
Rockford Il. 30/90-Day Treatment Centers
Springfield, Illinois Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Detox

Treatment for alcoholism in place of jail time in Illinois is a very common outcome for those seeking help to end their addictions. If you have an open DWI case in Illinois, call us and we can help you locate a deferment program in your county that works with DUI and DWI offenders. We can help you find the best rehab center for alcohol misuse today. Addiction No More ® is an Addiction Treatment Center locator service. For immediate service, please call one of our counselors 24/7.

Sources
Drug Evaluations
DUI.org
Illinois Circuit Court Form
Circuit Court of Cook County Drug Court Treatment Program (W.)R.A.P.

Erik Epp – Content Author