Chicago DUI attorney remind you that it's all or nothing when sentenced on a DUI

This Chicago DUI attorney wants to remind you that you have a host of responsibilities and obligations whenever you are sentenced on a DUI.  She’s posted here, here, and here about the ramifications and costs of a DUI.

One of the most common misconceptions about DUI’s is that once the case is over, generally the day of sentencing in the defendant’s mind, it’s over.  Not so fast please. 

In Chicago and throughout the state the defendant receives a copy of the sentencing order.  This document is an awful lot like a tax return, marriage license, or property deed; it should be kept with all important papers forever.

In most DUI cases that sentencing order requires some sort of counseling, DUI classes, a Victim Impact Panel, Random Urine Drops, and yes fines and fees.  Each of those items is equally important.  Failure to successfully complete one frequently results in a failure across the board. 

What’s the problem with the failure?  If the court fees and fines aren’t paid, even if everything else is successfully completed, the court may issue a report to the Secretary of State indicating that you didn’t appear in court (even if a warrant for your arrest is not issued for your failure to appear in court).  Upon receiving that report, the Secretary of State could revoke your driving privileges.  If you get charged with Driving on a Revoked license, based on a DUI, you could face steep penalties, including jail. 

Ultimately, it is important that each component of the sentencing order has successful compliance.