As a DUI attorney with decades of experience defending clients in Cook County and throughout Illinois, I am proud to share another courtroom victory that underscores the importance of skilled legal representation in DUI cases. Recently, I secured a Not Guilty verdict for a client who was charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse. This case highlights why having a knowledgeable and aggressive DUI lawyer can make the difference between a life-changing conviction and a second chance at moving forward.

The Client’s Background

This case involved a client who was facing his second DUI arrest. I had represented this same client several years earlier in his first DUI case at the Skokie Courthouse in Cook County. In that prior matter, the state ultimately dismissed the DUI charge because the client’s blood alcohol content was just under the legal limit. In exchange, he pled guilty to a minor speeding violation, and the DUI charge was dropped.

Now, years later, the client once again found himself in a very serious situation. The consequences of a second DUI conviction are significantly more severe than a first offense. A conviction could have resulted in mandatory jail time, steep fines, the suspension of his driver’s license, and immigration consequences because he is a Green Card holder. For this client, the stakes could not have been higher.

The Traffic Stop

The client was pulled over late at night while driving home from a wedding. The stop occurred after he was clocked going 27 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Importantly, the arresting officer did not report any other issues with the way the client was operating his vehicle. There was no swerving, lane drifting, or reckless maneuvers typically associated with impaired driving.

From the moment of the stop, the situation became contentious. The client did not fully cooperate with the officer. He rolled his window only slightly, refused to exit his vehicle, and even placed a breath mint in his mouth as the officer approached. According to the officer’s testimony, the client identified a local bar as the place he was coming from but then stopped answering questions entirely.

The refusal to comply escalated the situation quickly. Backup was called, and five additional officers arrived at the scene. They forcibly removed the client from his car. The arresting officer later testified that he smelled a strong odor of alcohol, observed slurred speech, and noticed watery eyes. Based on these observations, the officer concluded that the client was intoxicated and placed him under arrest.

The Arrest and Charges

At the police station, the client exercised his right to remain silent. He refused to answer questions, refused to submit to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, and refused a Breathalyzer test. Despite the absence of chemical testing or video evidence, the state proceeded to charge him with DUI.

It’s worth noting that at the time of this arrest, the village’s police department did not have dashboard cameras in patrol vehicles or body-worn cameras on officers. Since then, the police has equipped their police vehicles with dashboard cameras and their officers with body-worn cameras. That meant the state’s case relied entirely on the testimony of the arresting officer.

The Bench Trial

The case proceeded to a bench trial before a judge. At trial, the prosecution presented only the testimony of the arresting officer. No videos, no breath test results, no field sobriety test results, and no statements from the client were available to corroborate the officer’s claims, other than the client telling the officer the name of the establishment he was coming from.

I cross-examined the officer thoroughly, pointing out the weaknesses in the state’s case. The officer admitted that aside from speeding, there were no erratic driving behaviors. He acknowledged that the client refused testing, which deprived the state of the strongest possible evidence of intoxication: measurable blood alcohol content.

The Verdict: Not Guilty

After considering the evidence—or more accurately, the lack of evidence—the judge issued a Not Guilty verdict. The judge recognized that the state could not meet its burden of proving intoxication beyond a reasonable doubt.

For my client, this outcome was life-changing. A DUI conviction could have resulted in:

• Loss of driving privileges for a prolonged period
• Mandatory jail time or community service
• Thousands of dollars in fines and court costs
• Permanent criminal record that could follow him for life
• Immigration consequences, including possible revocation of his Green Card and even deportation

Instead, he walked away without a DUI conviction, able to move forward with his life and future completely intact.

Lessons from This Case

This case demonstrates several important lessons for anyone facing DUI charges:

1. Know Your Rights – My client refused to answer questions, refused to take field sobriety tests, and refused the Breathalyzer. While his lack of cooperation at the scene may not have been ideal, his refusal to provide evidence that could have been used against him was ultimately critical in winning the case.
2. Evidence Matters – The state’s case was weak because it lacked objective evidence. Without chemical test results or video recordings, the prosecution relied only on subjective observations that were successfully challenged at trial.
3. The Role of a Skilled DUI Attorney – DUI law in Illinois is complex, and outcomes often depend on an attorney’s ability to identify weaknesses in the state’s case. My experience in both prior and current DUI defense strategies allowed me to craft a strong defense that led to an acquittal.

Why Hire an Experienced DUI Lawyer?

If you are facing a DUI charge in Cook County or anywhere in Illinois, you must understand the consequences of going into court without experienced legal representation. The prosecution is not on your side, and the legal system is designed to secure convictions. Only a skilled DUI attorney knows how to challenge the state’s evidence, protect your rights, and fight for the best possible outcome.

Whether this is your first DUI, a second DUI, or an aggravated DUI charge, the consequences are severe. The difference between guilty and not guilty may depend entirely on the lawyer you choose to represent you.

Protecting Your Future

My client’s case could have ended in disaster, but instead, I secured a complete victory. That result did not happen by accident—it was the product of preparation, strategy, and years of courtroom experience.

If you have been arrested for DUI in Rolling Meadows, Skokie, Chicago, or anywhere in Illinois, you cannot afford to take chances with your future. Call me today to discuss your case. The sooner I begin working on your defense, the better chance you will have to protect your license, your freedom, and your future.

Contact James Dimeas – Chicago DUI Lawyer
Call now at 847-807-7405 for a free consultation, or fill out our online form to learn how I can help you fight your DUI charges.