Prosecutors in Kane County will be stepping up their DUI patrols during the weekend just before St. Patrick’s Day. While this is the 25th year in a row that Kane County has conducted these patrols known as “No Refusal” patrols, there is an important change this year.

When a driver is pulled over for a suspected DUI and refuses to submit to a chemical test, such as the breathalyzer, they will automatically lose their driver’s license for one year. Law enforcement will then contact an on-call judge that can issue an immediate warrant for the test. If the suspected driver still refuses, the test can be taken forcefully, and the driver can even face charges of obstruction of justice. The news of the patrols, and the change, has many drivers asking when they can refuse a test, and what type of test they can refuse if pulled over for a DUI.

Refusing Chemical Tests

Being pulled over is a scary thing, even when a person has not been drinking. When an officer approaches the window and suspects you are intoxicated, it becomes even more frightening. Even though you are nervous, it is important to remember that you have rights and that you know what to do, and what not to do. Below are the five biggest mistakes many drivers make when they are pulled over for a suspected DUI, and how doing them can negatively affect your case.

Admit You Have Been Drinking

If you have only had one or two drinks, you may feel confident in telling the police officer that when they ask. However, this is a big mistake, and you should never admit that you have been drinking. The officer and prosecution will hold this against you later in your case. It is equally important that you do not lie to the officer. Ask if you are being charged with anything and if they ask again if you have been drinking, tell them you would rather not say.

Shoplifting, officially known as retail theft in Illinois, is a very common crime. When it occurs, the person is often caught by store clerks while they are still on the property. In these cases, the store has a few options. They can simply ask for their merchandise back and allow the person to leave. Most of the time when this happens, the person is also banned from returning to the store. The store could also detain the person for a period of time before allowing them to leave. Or, in the worst-case scenario, they could call the police and press charges.

Many times, the store will let you go if you are caught shoplifting merchandise with a very small value. However, they may still send you a demand letter requesting that you pay them a fine. The question is, should you?

Is a Civil Demand Letter Binding?

When children get into trouble with the law and face common charges such as retail theft, parents often do not know what will happen next, or what rights their child has. They have a lot of questions and, if your child has recently been charged with a crime, it is likely that you have asked them, as well. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about the juvenile justice system in Illinois, and the answers to them.

What is the Age of a Juvenile?

In Illinois, anyone that is 17 years old or younger is considered a juvenile if they have been charged with a misdemeanor offense. This law was changed in January of 2010 to increase the age from 16 to 17. The age limit for juveniles is a topic the Illinois legislature continues to debate.

The new year saw many changes to Illinois law, and the one garnering the most attention is the fact that both medicinal and recreational marijuana are now legal in the state. Although Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons says that he is in support of the new law, as it may eliminate the black market, he also has a warning for drivers. That is the fact that law enforcement across the state has been training on how to spot drivers under the influence of marijuana. He wants to remind drivers that while marijuana is now legal, it is still against the law to drive under the influence of the drug.

What is Drugged Driving?

The Illinois statute for driving under the influence includes both alcohol and drugs that can impair a driver’s ability to drive safely. Even prescription drugs can mean a driver will face charges if it is found that those drugs impair the motorist. This includes prescriptions for medical marijuana.