GEORGE RYAN, JR. ARRESTED FOR DUI

Former Governor George Ryan's son was arrested for a DUI last week when he was found sleeping behind the wheel of a pickup truck that was running.  The vehicle was founfd parked across several lanes in a White Castle drive-thru in Bradley, Illinois.

ANOTHER BUS DRIVER CITED FOR DUI WITH CHILDREN ABOARD

In what is becoming an increasingly common (and alarming) event, another bus driver was cited for DUI with four children aboard his school bus.  It started when another vehicle reported his erratic driving to authorities, who then pulled over the school bus driver, 41 year-old Kenny Sellers.  Sellers failed a street sobriety test and was taken to police headquaters where he allegedly tried to escape and fought with an officer.  In total, Kenny received seven citations, including aggrevated DUI because there were children aboard, as well as aggrevated battery against a police officer.  Remember from previous posts that a DUI becomes and aggrevated DUI upon the existance of a special circumstance, such as having a minor in your vehicle, which severely increases the fines and penalties.

http://www.westmontattorneys.com/Traffic-DUI/

US SUPREME COURT MAY BAN FORCED BLOOD DRAWS

A forced blood draw is when authorities draw blood from an unwilling suspect in order to test his blood-alcohol level.  The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled in the past that "reasonable" force is permitted for forced blood draws throughout the state.  Recently, that same court ruled that when five people held down a suspect to withdraw blood, that was a bit excessive and unreasonable.  However, before further cases are settled under this Illinois ruling, there is a chance the US Supreme Court may step in and ban forced blood draws altogether with several cases currently pending on their docket.

http://www.westmontattorneys.com/Traffic-DUI/

UPDATE: MARK GRACE INDICTED ON FOUR FELONY COUNTS

In an update from a previous posting, former Chicago Cub Mark Grace was indicted on four felony accounts including driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, and driving without an interlock device (portable breathalyzer).  Mark Grace could face up to four years in prison if convicted, although, he would likely serve significantly less than that because the sentences would run concurrently.

http://www.westmontattorneys.com/Traffic-DUI/

FORMER CUB MARK GRACE MAY FACE FELONY DUI CHARGE

According to Maricopa County police officers in Arizona, former Chicago Cubs first baseman Mark Grace may be facing a felony DUI charge after being arretsed for suspicion of DUI in Scottsdale last month, his second in less than 15 months.  Grace had been working as a television broadcaster for the Arizona Diamondbacks, but has been on an indefinite leave of absence since the first arrest.  Following his first arrest, Grace was required to drive with an interlock ignition device, but has been charged with a failure to use the device in addition to driving with a blood alcohol level of .095, more than the legal limit of .08.

http://www.westmontattorneys.com/Traffic-DUI/

WHAT IS AN ALCOHOL EVALUATION AND WHEN DO YOU HAVE TO COMPLETE IT?

In Illinois, anyone charged with a DUI is required to complete an alcohol evalution during their case.  The purpose of the evaluation is to judge the level of risk the individual poses to society by reviewing the frequency of his/her drinking and how likely it is they will be charged again with a DUI.  Many clients ask us when they should complete this evaluation.  Generally, if you are going to contest the DUI charge, you do not want to complete the alcohol evaluation prior to the first court date because this will allow you more time to evaluate what evidence the state's attorney has against you.  If you do not want to contest the DUI, but rather enter a guilty plea, it is probably in your best interests to complete the evaluation prior to the first court date and obtain a plea deal at that time from the prosecution.

http://www.westmontattorneys.com/Traffic-DUI/
 

CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER PULLED FROM THE STREET FOR FALSIFYING DUI ARRESTS - LAWSUITS SETTLED

Chicago police officer Richard Fiorito had previously been pulled from duty, and now the City of Chicago has settled the final lawsuits surrounding his falsified DUI arrests.  The city has agreed to pay two drivers $100,000 each who filed lawsuits for wrongful and malicious prosecution, in addition to paying $250,000 for each individual's attorney's fees.  The Cook County State's Attorney has also dropped over 130 DUI cases that had been filed with Fiorito as the arresting officer.  The city has refused to admit any wrongdoing though and declined to prosecute Fiorito for any crimes.

http://www.westmontattorneys.com/traffic-dui/