(312) 544-9909
info@chicagoduilawyers.net
(312) 544-9909
info@chicagoduilawyers.net
In the state of Illinois, DUI convictions carry some of the most harsh penalties in the US. A person can be subject to fines, loss of driving privileges, and could even face up to a year in jail for a first-time offense.
When you’re arrested for a DUI, you may be required to post a cash bond (bail). Bail (or bond) is money that individuals arrested for DUI give to the court in exchange for their release from jail. The purpose of this is to ensure the defendant will appear in court on their required court dates. When defendants don’t show up, the court can keep the bail money.
If a DUI suspect has to pay bail, it is either set from a list of set bail amounts that correspond to the charged crime or by the judge, who will consider the circumstances of the DUI arrest.
The amount paid for bail for a DUI varies depending on circumstances. Some report paying as little as $100 while others paid up to $2,500 in either bail bond fees or administrative fees to the jail.
Bail For Serious Crimes
If the crime rises to a level of seriousness that increases the likelihood of the offender fleeing, the judge may not allow bail. Bail might also be denied if the alleged crime is a repeat offense.
In certain cases, the judge in charge of a case could waive payment of bail on the condition that you appear in court when required. This is called being released on one’s own recognizance. This, of course, is the best outcome possible, and tends to be the most common outcome.
You are more likely to see bail waived or see bail reduced if your DUI arrest was a first offense (that did not have an injury or collision), a BAC close to .08%, and a steady job, no previous record, ties to your community, and family members living close by.
It’s important to have an experienced Illinois criminal defense attorney on your side. If you are unable to pay bail in Chicago, your attorney might be able to persuade the court otherwise and put the situation in your favor.