Prior to 2011, the State needed to show evidence that using an illegal drug impaired driving before escalating a driving under the influence (DUI) charge to a felony. Now, the State only needs to show that the defendant’s driving caused an accident and that the driver used an illegal drug — even if the drug had no impact on the driver’s abilities.
Illinois law provides that a person may not drive any vehicle in Illinois while there is even a trace of a drug in the person’s body system from the unlawful use, including consumption of cannabis. With alcohol, there is a limit of .08% in the blood in order to violate the law, however, with drugs; even the smallest amount in a driver’s system is illegal.
Illinois’ zero tolerance statute was reinforced in the 2011 Illinois Supreme Court decision of People vs. Martin, which upheld the lower court’s felony conviction of aggravated DUI against a pickup truck driver who had a trace of methamphetamine in his body — resulting in a car crash killing two people. The evidence showed that the last time the defendant used methamphetamine was days before the accident. The court ruled that the State does not have to prove that drugs impaired the defendant’s driving ability. They only need to show that there were small traces of drugs in the driver’s system at the time of the accident or moving violation.
Generally, a first-time DUI for drugs is a Class A Misdemeanor carrying the following among other possible consequences and penalties.
If the DUI of drugs caused a crash involving great bodily harm, the driver may be charged with Aggravated DUI, a Class 4 Felony. Even when the drug did not impair the defendant’s driving ability, the penalties may include:
If you need an Illinois DUI attorney, contact us today.