Illinois Kicks Off Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign

 Posted on August 28, 2024 in DUI

Labor Day weekend is here, signifying the unofficial end of summer. Kids are returning to school and the sun is already setting earlier and earlier each night. Families and friends will gather over this holiday weekend to attend cookouts and parties and bid summer goodbye.

Many of these events will involve alcohol and where there is alcohol, there is always the risk of a DUI arrest. The state has announced that Illinois law enforcement will be out in full force, cracking down on drunk drivers with its Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Police from more than 250 departments, including the Illinois State Police and county sheriff’s offices, will be out in full force patrolling the state’s roads and conducting roadside safety checks.

If you or a loved one is charged with DUI this weekend, contact an Illinois defense lawyer to advocate for your rights.

What to Do If You Are Stopped By Police at a DUI Checkpoint

Roadside safety checks are legal under Illinois law as long as police follow specific protocols set by the courts. Many of these checkpoints are located in areas known to have a history of DUI arrests and accidents. Police will often share a planned checkpoint with the public ahead of time, either through police communications or via local media.

At the stop, police have a planned system of which vehicles they will stop. Every third vehicle seems to be the most common system. The stop should be quick, with just enough time for an officer to see any signs of potential driver impairment.

If an officer thinks you have been drinking, they may ask for your license and registration, and request you submit to standardized sobriety tests. You are required to give the officer your documents if asked.

When it comes to submitting field sobriety tests, the decision is ultimately up to you. You are not legally required to agree to testing. The results of these tests can be highly subjective, based only on the officer’s observations and "signs" that he or she may think are indicators the driver is under the influence. However, there are multiple factors that can interfere with the officer’s conclusion, including the age, weight, and health conditions of the driver.   

If you refuse to submit to field sobriety tests, the officer will more than likely ask you to submit to a breathalyzer test. Submitting to these tests is required under the state’s implied consent laws. If you refuse, you will automatically lose your driving privileges for up to one year, regardless of the final outcome of the criminal DUI charges you may face.

Contact a Kane County, IL Defense Attorney for Legal Assistance

If you are arrested, remember that you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Do not speak to police without an Elgin, IL DUI defense attorney present. Call The Law Office of Brian J. Mirandola at 847-488-0889 right away. Our firm also offers free consultations where we will evaluate your case and present you with the potential defense options you may have.