Are you charged with Aggravated or Felony Driving Under the Influence?
Aggravated DUI (Driving Under the Influence) is charged when a person is accused of Driving Under the Influence and there is an additional aggravating factor present. Aggravated DUI charges are also known as Felony Driving Under the Influence charges. People accused of Aggravated DUI can face serious penalties.
The DUI Defense Lawyers at the Noll Law Office in Springfield, Illinois have handled Aggravated (Felony) Driving Under the Influence cases for years. We are trained in challenging breathalyzer results and fighting field sobriety tests. If you or your loved one is facing an Aggravated (Felony) Driving Under the Influence charge, contact one of the DUI defense attorneys at the Noll Law Office to schedule a free initial consultation. Their attorneys can explain your options to you and discuss how the facts of your case can relate the ultimate outcome of your case.
What makes a DUI aggravated or a felony?
First, the state must alleged that you were driving under the influence or alcohol, drugs, or some other controlled substance. The following are factors which can turn a misdemeanor Driving Under the Influence charge into an Aggravated (Felony) Driving Under the Influence case:
- Causing death to another
- Causing great bodily harm to another
- Driving on an expired license
- Driving on a revoked license
- Driving with expired or revoked insurance
- Having 2 or more prior DUIs
What are the penalties for an Aggravated DUI in Illinois?
The penalties for Aggravated (Felony) Driving Under the Influence differ based upon the aggravating factors present. For example, if a person died as a proximate cause of the DUI, the penalty is 3 to 14 years in the Department of Corrections with probation given only by a finding of exceptional circumstances by the court. Moreover, a person convicted of Aggravated DUI must serve 85% of that sentence.
Sentences involving multiple Driving Under the Influence charges are determined by the number of prior DUIs the person has been convicted of. There is additional information regarding the potential penalties for multiple DUIs on the Noll Law Office Multiple DUI page.
Do you think the police officer did not properly administer the standard field sobriety tests?
Every DUI case handled by the Noll Law Office is reviewed to determine whether the officer properly administered the field sobriety tests. If the officer failed to properly administer the tests or if they did not interpret the results properly, an individual may show a false positive for alcohol intoxication. Nowadays, the field sobriety tests are often recorded by the officer’s dash camera or body camera. If it was recorded, the Noll Law Office will obtain a copy of the video and go over it with you in order to point out whether the officer made mistakes.
Did the officer have probable cause to pull your vehicle over?
One of the major issues in an Aggravated Driving Under the Influence case is why the officer pulled the vehicle over. Often, the officer stops a vehicle because of an equipment violation such as a broken taillight. The Noll Law Office is well versed in Aggravated (Felony) Driving Under the Influence cases and understand how police officers operate. They have successfully argued for their clients that there was no probable cause for the officer to pull the vehicle over and that there was no reason for the officer to reasonably believe that their client was under the influence. Contact their Driving Under the Influence (DUI) attorneys today for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.