Recent Blog Posts

Understanding How a Chicago DUI Attorney Can Challenge Field Sobriety Tests

Chicago DUI Lawyer — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:00:00 GMT

For many years, three tests have primarily dominated on-the-spot police pull-overs when an individual is suspected of drinking and driving. The Nystagmus, Walk and Turn, and One Leg Stand tests are frequently employed by police officials who are looking to quickly determine whether or not an individual has been operating a vehicle under impairment. However, these tests are inherently flawed and use of these methods cannot be taken at face value.

In the wake of a DUI arrest in the city, immediate steps should be taken to obtain the legal defense of a Chicago DUI attorney who can represent your case. This is particularly true if the arrest was made based upon the results of one or more of the field sobriety tests listed above. In these instances, a legal professional can take your case to court and challenge the validity of the results that were yielded during your on-site testing. Each of the three main field sobriety tests have become notorious for their inability to accurately detect impaired driving. For many, the stipulations of these tests, such as standing with one foot raised and hands extended for 30 seconds, are physical exercises which many would be unable to complete even under full cognizance. Hence, their uses can be challenged by defense lawyers looking to free their clients from blame.

Due to their notable unreliability, field sobriety tests are not meant to be used as lone means in DUI arrests. However, some police officials are still in the habit of using these tests - and these tests only -before making an arrest for driving under the influence. When this is the case, the arrest could become just as much of a legal issue as the actual DUI itself, making the need for a defense attorney unarguable.

At The Law Offices of Howard J. Wise & Associates, our team of criminal and DUI attorneys are beyond familiar with the skill tactics used by police officers and prosecutors when it comes to cases involving drunk driving charges. As former prosecutors ourselves, we know what methods are often employed during the legal proceedings of a case when attempts are being made to convict. With this insight, we are able to better prepare our defense strategies, particularly those that pertain to issues of field sobriety tests. Not only do we know the laws, but we know how prosecuting attorneys may work to convict you. We have combined this knowledge to create a winning defense team that cannot be rivaled when it comes to tackling the matters of DUI defense, and we are prepared to take on your case next.

If you believe that your arrest was unfairly made after failed field sobriety tests, then you owe it to yourself to contact a Chicago DUI lawyer from our firm as soon as possible.

Chicago DUI Arrest - What's at Stake without an Attorney

Chicago DUI Lawyer — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Driving under the influence is a serious crime which will be punished accordingly if you are officially found guilty and convicted of DUI. However, drinking and driving is not always the same as driving under the influence. In fact, some arrests are made for persons who have been suspected of driving while intoxicated even though their blood alcohol content (BAC) does not reflect percentages beyond the legal limit (.08%). In these cases, the assistance of a Chicago DUI attorney will provide defendants with defense tactics and legal knowledge that could help them escape an unfair conviction.

Some individuals who have been arrested for DUI shy away from hiring an attorney. For some, the cost of legal defense is off-putting; others may believe that their innocence is enough to get them by. However, both are mistakes. Although the services provided by legal representation do cost money, the fees in no way counter the fines that will be owed should you be found guilty of drinking and driving. It is also unwise to rely on your innocence during the case proceedings of a drunk driving charge. Regardless of whether or not you are innocent, prosecutors, judges, and jurors alike are primed to convict. Therefore, choosing to forego legal counsel could severely hinder your chances of a reduced or dropped sentence.

The skillful methods used by defense attorneys are ones that have often been honed over many years of experience within the legal field. As such, the tactics employed are ones that are geared toward challenging field sobriety tests and BAC levels; proving that a police stop was unfounded or unlawful; and preventing license suspension. None of these are easy tasks. However, all of them are within the capabilities of a DUI professional who has experience in matters such as those listed above.

If you have been arrested for DUI in the Windy City, then you should not wait to contact a Chicago DUI lawyer from The Law Offices of Howard J. Wise & Associates. For over a decade, we have represented individuals in the city who are in need of sound legal defense in the wake of a DUI arrest. For many of our clients, the reduced charges they received under our representation would have been full-fledged convictions without our help. Our success comes from years of solid dedication and unyielding legal defense even in the face of a challenge. As former prosecutors, we have seen the other side and we know what's at stake if you choose to tackle your DUI charges without the sound defense of a professional attorney.

Don't second-guess your need for legal support in your DUI case. The help of an attorney could a make a world of difference, and you don't want to miss your opportunity for reduced or dropped charges simply because you were without legal representation. Call our firm today to learn more.

Chicago DUI Attorney: How to Know When Defense is Right for You

Chicago DUI Lawyer — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:00:00 GMT

In the wake of an arrest for DUI, it can be difficult to know what to do first – who to turn to for help, where to go for advice, and what is expected of you in the aftermath of your driving mistake. For these reasons, it is imperative that the first move you make be the action of obtaining legal representation from a Chicago DUI lawyer in your area.

The costs of a conviction for driving under the influence are pricey – financially, emotionally, and even socially. Therefore, it is in your best interest to take immediate action to prevent conviction entirely. An arrest and charge for DUI does not automatically equal conviction. In fact, the role that a defense attorney can play in your case is so significant that it can sometimes yield reduced or dropped charges for those who have been accused. If you were pulled over and subsequently arrested under suspicion of drunk driving and it is a first time offense, then your clear record should be taken into account during court proceedings. A DUI lawyer can help ensure that this crucial aspect is not overlooked.

The state of Illinois has enacted strict punishments for traffic offenders such as those charged with DUI, and the Windy City is no exception to these laws. If you have been accused of drinking and driving in the Chicago area, your chances of a conviction are high if you don't take the proper care to quickly seek legal support. Whether it is a first-time offense or a habitual problem, cases of DUI are held to strict standards. Therefore, you need a defense lawyer who not only fully comprehends the laws that pertain to your case, but one who is prepared to aggressively tackle the charges that have been made against you.

At The Law Offices of Howard J. Wise & Associates, you will find a team of criminal and DUI attorneys ready to take on your case and the circumstances that come with it. As former prosecutors, we have seen the other side and how the operations of a prosecuting attorney are enforced in order to effect conviction. Since joining forces with the criminal defense side of the law, we have turned our knowledge around and we now have a one-up in many cases, as our legal experience allows us insight into how opposing prosecutors will behave in the cases we represent.

When it comes to the law and criminal accusations that have been made in your name, there is absolutely no time to waste in hiring sound legal defense. Your driving privileges, legal rights, and societal standing are in jeopardy – we are here to protect them.

Contact a Chicago DUI attorney from our firm to learn more about why a defense lawyer from our offices could be right for your case.

With More Drunk Drivers Being Arrested this Season, There is More Need for a Chicago DUI Attorney

Chicago DUI Lawyer — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:10:00 GMT

Local police reports from Schaumburg, Illinois show a busy holiday season for law enforcement officials making DUI arrests in areas throughout the state. According to official records, 30 counts of DUI were charged between Black Friday and New Year's Day, and that is in Schaumburg alone. The number is a drastic increase from the 19 arrests made the previous year.

A local department spokesman cited the increase in DUI arrests as a result of an intensified focus on traffic violations in general, particularly those of drunk driving. He continued to say that the department as a whole has a long-term goal of increasing DUI arrests by 10%, a jump that could stand to affect many drivers on the road who may have been drinking, whether at safe driving levels or not. While this increase is meant to reflect a stricter crackdown by local law enforcement, it is difficult to wonder if it won't also result in more unnecessary arrests.

Setting a percentage of DUI arrests that police officers are expected to meet could be risky considering the fact that only as many arrests can be made as there are drunk drivers. That being said, it begs the question, "Will more unwarranted arrests be made simply to meet a quota?" These were in no way the words of the police spokes official, but it certainly is cause for wonder. DUI cases are sensitive issues that could stand to drastically affect the lives of those convicted. As such, it is unsettling to think that the number of arrests being made in relation to suspected drunk driving is set to increase.

If you have been arrested for impaired driving, then you should immediately contact a Chicago DUI lawyer from The Law Offices of Howard J. Wise & Associates. We are experienced attorneys who are prepared to aggressively work on behalf of the defense of your case. Whether you have been arrested for a first-time offense or multiple offenses, we know what it takes to represent your case in a favorable light.

Contact a Chicago DUI attorney from our firm to learn more.

January 2012: A Deadly Month for the City of Chicago

Chicago Criminal Attorney — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:10:00 GMT

In the last three months of 2011, police official records showed a rise in the number of homicides in the city of Chicago, a trend that has continued into the first month of 2012 as well. Compared to January of last year, homicide rates in the city have risen considerably. In fact, police Superintendent G. McCarthy reported that the rise reflects a jump of more than 50%.

The upward trend in homicide rates seems to stand alone, as homicides were the only category of crimes that increased in the initial month of 2012. According to police reports, a 20% decrease was seen in the city's overall crime rates. City officials such as the mayor have connected the increase in Chicago's homicide crime rates with its growing number of gangs.

The penalties of a murder/ manslaughter conviction are harsh and could land defendants in jail for years, and in some cases, for the duration of their life. These are serious charges that carry equally serious consequences. As such, an arrest for murder or an accusation of manslaughter needs to be met with immediate legal attention from a Chicago criminal lawyer. At The Law Offices of Howard J. Wise & Associates, defendants can get the aggressive legal attention they both need and deserve after an arrest and allegation have been made.

Throughout Chicago and its surrounding areas, we represent those in need of criminal defense. The rise in homicide rates within the city will naturally mean that there will be a simultaneous rise in the need for an attorney as well. If you are looking for vehement legal representation that you can rely on for unwavering support, then look no further than our firm.

Contact a Chicago criminal attorney from our offices today for more information.

Welcome to our Chicago Criminal Defense Blog

Criminal Defense Attorney — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:04:00 GMT

Our attorneys are pleased to announce the launch of our criminal defense blog with an RSS feed available at http://www.chicagocriminaldefenselawfirm.com/Blog/Entire-Blog-Feed/RSS.xml