DUI Defense Lawyer in Bloomington, IL

If you’re currently facing a driving under the influence (DUI) charge, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and alone. A DUI arrest in McLean County can come with serious consequences, including jail time, steep fines, loss of your driver’s license, increased insurance premiums, and a permanent criminal record.

At Bruno Law Offices, we know how complicated, stressful, and high-stakes these cases can be, and we’re here to help. We have over 35 years of experience protecting the rights of Bloomington clients facing DUI charges, and we’ve helped many of them win dismissals or reduced penalties. You don’t need to face this potentially life-altering legal process alone. Contact us online or call our office at 309-861-9960 today to learn more in a consultation with a Bloomington DUI defense attorney.

Do I Need a DUI Defense Lawyer in Bloomington?

When you’ve been charged with a DUI, your future hangs in the balance. You need an experienced DUI attorney who knows how to investigate a DUI arrest, analyze evidence, and advocate for you when your rights have been violated. When you work with an attorney on your case, they’ll help you by:

  • Guiding You Through the Legal Process: The DUI legal process is complicated, and managing it alone can be challenging. Your attorney can lead you through it all, helping you understand your rights and the legal system while also working to have your charges reduced or dismissed.
  • Building Your Case: Your DUI attorney can analyze evidence, including police reports, arrest records, and dashcam footage, to identify potential errors and build a case for your defense.
  • Challenging Evidence: Breathalyzer results and field sobriety tests are not always accurate. A Bloomington DUI attorney knows how to challenge unreliable evidence and may call expert witnesses to testify on your behalf.
  • Minimizing or Avoiding Penalties: A first-time DUI conviction can result in jail time, fines, license suspension, and a permanent criminal record. An experienced DUI defense lawyer in Bloomington may be able to negotiate plea deals, obtain court supervision, or help you enter a diversion program that avoids a conviction.
  • Avoiding a Permanent Criminal Record: In Illinois, a DUI conviction stays on your record for life and cannot be expunged. With the right legal representation, you may be able to avoid a conviction through reduced charges, dismissal, or court supervision. 

Our DUI Practice Areas

At Bruno Law Offices, we work with clients facing a range of DUI charges in Bloomington. No matter what the circumstances of your case are, we know how to protect your rights. Our team offers comprehensive support in the following areas:

Alcohol-Based DUI

Drunk driving is a serious charge that can require the help of a seasoned DUI attorney, particularly if your blood alcohol content (BAC) significantly exceeds the legal limit. Our team has deep experience working with clients facing these charges, and we know how to investigate your case and fight for reduced charges or outright dismissal.

Whether your arrest involved a breathalyzer or field sobriety test, we’ll analyze testing procedures, device calibration, and officer conduct to challenge the validity of the charges.

Drug-Impaired Driving

DUI charges involving cannabis, prescription medications, or illegal substances have unique legal considerations and require a deep knowledge of our state’s evolving laws, particularly with cannabis now legalized. We’ll scrutinize blood test protocols and impairment evidence to protect your rights.

Underage DUI

Illinois has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to underage drunk drivers. That means if you’re under 21 and you are caught with any alcohol in your system whatsoever, you will have your license suspended. We fight to prevent suspensions and permanent records for Bloomington students and young professionals.

Aggravated and Felony DUI

People facing aggravated DUI charges or multiple charges may have their DUI classified as a felony. That means significantly harsher penalties, including up to 12 years in prison and fines up to $25,000, depending on the class of felony. If you’re facing these kinds of penalties, you need a seasoned DUI attorney to build a strong defense. We’ll work with you to build a case and fight for a fair outcome.

What Is an Aggravated DUI?

In Illinois, an aggravated DUI is a DUI offense that is charged as a felony due to specific aggravating factors. While the standard DUI is classified as a misdemeanor, an aggravated DUI carries much harsher penalties, including mandatory prison time, extended license revocations, and permanent felony records.

Factors that may elevate a DUI from misdemeanor to felony include:

  • Three or More Offenses: A third DUI conviction or more automatically becomes a Class 2 felony in Illinois, which is punishable by three to seven years in prison, along with steep fines and extended license revocation.
  • Unlicensed or Uninsured DUI: If you’re charged with a DUI on a revoked or suspended license, or if you don’t have valid auto insurance, the offense may be classified as an aggravated DUI.
  • DUI Causing Great Bodily Harm or Death: A DUI that results in an accident causing serious injury or death can be charged as a Class 2 or Class 4 felony, and potentially even higher. These charges can come with mandatory prison terms and no eligibility for parole.
  • DUI with a Child Passenger: If someone drives under the influence with a child under 16 in the vehicle and causes an accident or injury, they may face felony charges, as well as child endangerment allegations.
  • School Bus DUI: Operating a school bus while under the influence is considered a felony in Illinois, regardless of whether passengers were present.

Potential penalties for aggravated DUI charges include:

  • One to twelve years in prison
  • Fines up to $25,000
  • Lengthy license revocation
  • Community service or mandatory jail time
  • Permanent criminal record as a convicted felon
  • Mandatory alcohol education and treatment programs

Under Illinois law, these penalties are often non-negotiable. For that reason, it’s critical to seek legal guidance as soon as possible. 

What to Do After a DUI Arrest

Being arrested for DUI can be stressful, confusing, and frightening. However, your actions in the following hours and days can have a tremendous impact on the outcome of your case. Here’s what you should do following your arrest:

Hire an Experienced DUI Defense Lawyer

Attempting to handle a charge independently can result in devastating consequences that can follow you for the rest of your life. An experienced Bloomington DUI defense lawyer can lead you through the process and help you avoid critical errors as you look to protect your freedom. Contact one as soon as possible and follow all of their advice.

Write Down the Details of Your Arrest

After your release, sit down and write every detail you can remember about the traffic stop and arrest. This can include the following:

  • Why the officer pulled you over
  • What tests were performed
  • What you said to the officer
  • Whether your rights were read to you
  • Any unusual or unfair treatment by the arresting officers

These details can be crucial building blocks for your defense, particularly when they reveal procedural errors or rights violations. Write down everything you can as soon as you can.

Request a Hearing to Save Your License

In Illinois, a DUI arrest usually triggers an automatic suspension of your driver’s license even before the case is resolved. The suspension takes effect 46 days after you’re served a Statutory Summary Suspension notice unless you challenge it.

To stop or delay this suspension, your attorney can file a Petition to Rescind the Summary Suspension with McLean County courts. They’ll need to do this within 45 days of your arrest. Acting quickly can preserve your driving privileges while your criminal case proceeds.

Follow Court Orders and Attend All Hearings

Missing a court date will not only result in a warrant for your arrest but can also severely damage your credibility in front of the judge and weaken any defense you may have had. Be sure to show up on time, dress appropriately, and follow any bail or bond conditions. 

Why Should I Choose Bruno Law Offices?

The DUI defense law firm you choose to represent you can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. With the help of experienced attorneys, you can understand exactly what you’re up against, your legal options, and how you can build a strong defense to protect your freedom.

Here’s why you should choose Bruno Law Offices:

  • Decades of Experience: We’ve been protecting the rights of Bloomington clients for over 45 years. That means we have a deep understanding of state and local laws that might impact your case, and we’re well-acquainted with the courts and judges in the McLean County system.
  • Proven Results: We have a proven track record of achieving outstanding results for clients facing charges of all kinds. We’ve often fought to reduce or dismiss DUI charges and won, protecting the rights and preserving the freedom of clients just like you.
  • Strong Communication: Our attorneys pride themselves on providing clients with an open line of communication so that they can feel connected, filled in, and confident in our ability to achieve the outcome they’re hoping for.
  • Ready for Anything: Our firm has taken on a vast range of cases, including almost every kind of DUI case imaginable. We have the knowledge, experience, and confidence needed to tackle your case, whatever it may be.

Contact a DUI Defense Lawyer Today

If you’re facing DUI charges, the team at Bruno Law Offices can investigate your case and help you build a strong defense. However, time is of the essence. The longer you wait to contact an attorney, the harder it is to protect your rights. Contact us online or call 309-861-9960 today for your consultation with a Bloomington DUI defense lawyer.