Happy New Laws!-- Chicago DUI Attorney's 2011 Edition

This Chicago DUI attorney has posted here and here about new laws coming to Illinois.

Here are some of the highlights:

Judges will no longer be required to sign, or refuse to sign, MDDP for those accused of a DUI.  That will now be between the accused and the Secretary of State.  The prior law required a signature of a judge and some judges wouldn’t do it, even though they were supposed to do it (I won’t call that breaking the law, but you can take from it whatever you want).* Awaits the Guv’s signature.   What!  You don’t doubt he will sign it do you?

Slow Down!  It’s no longer a simple speeding ticket if you get caught driving more than 30 mph over the posted speed limit, but less than 40 mph over the posted speed limit.  It’s now a Class B Misdemeanor.  This means you could actually go to jail for this offense.  It also means if you plead guilty or you are found guilty of this offense, you now have criminal background.  In Illinois, a Class B Misdemeanor is punishable, upon a conviction, with up to 30 days in jail.  Somehow, everyone thinks this is a logical result, but how many of you have ever driven more than 30 miles over the posted speed limit?  

It is done.  Being charged with a DUI on a snowmobile or a boat will result in the suspension of your car driving privileges.  Additionally, if you get charged with a DUI in your auto vehicle a summary suspension will prohibit you from operating a boat or a snowmobile (currently, Illinois does not require a license for operating a snowmobile).  

Your kid can’t be your designated driver.  625 ILCS 5/11-507