Typical Illinois DUI Punishment (or Sentence):
Each sentence is case specific. However, for the purpose of a general guideline, below is a typical DUI sentence assuming that it is your first DUI, you have an attorney, and there is nothing unusual about your case, (for example, you were not speeding 105mph in a 55mph zone when you were pulled over). Here is a what you can expect the punishment to be:
•1 year of court supervision;
•Fines and costs of approximately $1,700.00;
•Requirement to complete all of the drug and alcohol treatment recommendations;
•Requirement to attend a Victim Impact Panel (VIP).
What is Court Supervision:
First, although court supervision is not a conviction, it is also not a dismissal. With court supervision, the court has authority to make you pay a fine, pay court costs, and complete other requirements. Additionally, you will also be required to return to court for a final “return date” after the period of court supervision (usually 1 year). At the return date, the court will confirm that you have completed all of the court’s requirements and paid all of the court fines and costs. Provided everything is complete and all fines and costs are paid, the case will be terminated without you receiving a conviction. This is contingent on you not being arrested during the period of the court supervision However, the court supervision could be revoked if there is a new arrest or if everything is not complete.
Not everyone can get Court Supervision:
The Court cannot sentence you to Court Supervision if you had a prior DUI, Statutory Summary Suspension or Reckless Driving charge. This holds true regardless of when the prior charged occurred. For example, if you received court supervision on a DUI charge 25 years ago, you cannot obtain court supervision again.
What is A Victim Impact Panel:
A Victim Impact Panel is a presentation by family members of a person who was killed by a DUI driver. The presentation might also be done by a person who injured or killed another person when they were driving while intoxicated. The Victim Impact Panel is approximately 2 hours long. However, only by court order can you attend a victim impact panel. For this reason, you cannot complete it prior to having the judge issuing the terms of your punishment.. However, it is possible to complete it early in the sentence. However, it has to be scheduled because space is limited.