(847) 345-7060

DUI Attorney in Bridgeview & Chicago, IL
A DUI can turn your life upside down. It can hurt your job, your relationships, your finances, and your future. At Lofgren Legal, we work to stop these problems before they start.
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The moment you're arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), it's critical that you act quickly. Call us right away so our DUI lawyer in Bridgeview can start fighting to protect your rights.​
Understanding What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Illinois
When police pull you over and arrest you for DUI, two separate processes begin:
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Criminal Charges: You face criminal charges for driving under the influence
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License Suspension: A separate civil process begins that revokes your driving privileges
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Whether or not you agreed to a chemical test affects how the Secretary of State will handle your license. ​
What Is a Statutory Summary Suspension?
In Illinois, a statutory summary suspension automatically suspends your driving privileges after a DUI arrest. This happens if you either fail a chemical test or refuse to take one at all.
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You will fail a chemical test if you:
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Have a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .08% or higher
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Have a THC level of 5 nanograms or more per milliliter of whole blood or 10 nanograms or more per milliliter of other bodily substance
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Have any trace of other drugs in your system
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If you fail a chemical test, your license will be suspended for 6 months for a first offense. If you refuse the test, the suspension extends to 12 months. For repeat offenders, suspension periods become much longer: 1 year for failing and 3 years for refusing.
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A statutory summary suspension begins 46 days after your suspension notice. This suspension is separate from any criminal penalties you might face. You can be found not guilty of DUI but still lose your license through this administrative process.
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​You can petition for a judicial hearing to challenge the suspension, but you must act quickly. Understanding this process is crucial because many drivers focus only on the criminal charges while ignoring the immediate threat to their driving privileges.​
The Real Impact of a DUI Conviction
Many people don't realize how far-reaching the effects of a DUI can be. A DUI conviction brings serious financial burdens. You'll likely face court fines and fees ranging anywhere from $500 to thousands of dollars. Your insurance rates might double or even triple, costing you money over several years.
You may also have to pay for required substance abuse programs or damages to victims of a collision (if one occurred). You'll likely also suffer lost wages due to missed work for court appearances and/or total loss of employment.
Personal and professional consequences can extend even further. A DUI creates a criminal record that follows you during future job searches. Your driver's license will also be revoked for at least 1 year, which limits your employment prospects.
A DUI conviction can also result in jail time and extensive community service. Some countries may even restrict your travel with a DUI on your record.
Perhaps most difficult is the damage to your reputation among family, friends, and colleagues. Even a first-time DUI can cause problems that follow you for years. This is why strong legal defense matters from day one.
Repeat DUI Offenders
If you have previous DUI charges, the stakes are much higher. Penalties increase significantly with each offense. At Lofgren Legal, we'll provide strong representation to help you avoid the harshest consequences and explore all defense options.
Commercial Drivers and DUI Charges
For commercial drivers, even a first-time DUI can end a career. Commercial drivers face:
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Lower legal blood alcohol limits (0.04% vs 0.08%)
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Mandatory commercial license disqualifications (with potential lifetime disqualification)
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Difficulty finding future employment
We understand the unique challenges commercial drivers face and build defenses with these factors in mind.
Commercial Drivers and DUI Charges
For commercial drivers, even a first-time DUI can end a career. Commercial drivers face:
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Lower legal blood alcohol limits (0.04% vs 0.08%)
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Mandatory commercial license disqualifications (with potential lifetime disqualification)
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Difficulty finding future employment
We understand the unique challenges commercial drivers face and build defenses with these factors in mind.
DUI Charges When Under 21
Illinois has a strict "Zero Tolerance" law for drivers under 21. If you're under 21, any detectable amount of alcohol in your system can result in a license suspension. These violations appear on your driving record, affect insurance rates, and can cause problems with college programs, scholarships, and future job opportunities. Teenagers can also face criminal charges for DUI.
We build unique defense strategies for younger drivers, focusing on both immediate legal issues and long-term consequences.
How We Fight Your DUI Charges
At Lofgren Legal, we develop a complete defense strategy for your case. We carefully review police reports and video footage to identify any constitutional violations. We also look into chemical testing procedures, which must follow strict protocols. Even small errors can lead to inaccurate results and potentially inadmissible evidence.
Many people don't realize that certain medical conditions, medications, diets, and even some everyday products can affect breath and blood test results, as well. We explore all alternative explanations for your test results, consulting with medical experts when necessary.
We may also opt for negotiating reduced charges. Often, we can work with prosecutors to reduce DUI charges to lesser offenses or reduce penalties.
In some instances, there is no chemical testing evidence. If you refused a test and received a statutory summary suspension and DUI charge, we'll approach your case differently.
Without chemical test results, the prosecution must rely heavily on officer observations, field sobriety tests, and dashcam footage to prove impairment. We can often challenge the reliability of these subjective assessments. We may question whether the officer was properly trained in sobriety testing or if other factors affected your performance. Though refusing a chemical test leads to a longer license suspension, it sometimes creates better opportunities to challenge the criminal DUI charges.
Why Choose Lofgren Legal for Your DUI Defense?
Attorney Niklas Lofgren brings unique qualifications to your DUI defense:
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Experience working in both the State's Attorney's Office and Public Defender's Office
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Knowledge of how prosecutors build and prove DUI cases
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10 years of focused criminal defense experience
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Has handled cases throughout Illinois courts
This combined experience gives Attorney Niklas Lofgren special insight into how to challenge DUI charges. When you need a qualified DUI attorney in Chicago, Bridgeview, or surrounding areas in Illinois, you can rely on our firm.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
After a DUI arrest, timing is everything. The sooner we start working on your case, the more options we have to help you. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes.
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Contact Lofgren Legal today to set up a free consultation to discuss your case. We will:
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Review the details of your arrest
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Explain the legal process ahead
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Discuss potential defense strategies
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Answer all your questions
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Outline possible outcomes
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​Help you understand your options