To stop drinking may seem like an easy thing to do to avoid prison time for a DUI, but for a Chicago man, it proved too tempting. His continued drinking has now resulted in prison time and alcohol rehabilitation.

The man, 43, was sentenced to four years in prison after he continually violated the terms of his felony DUI probation. His probation violations included:

  • Removing the monitoring device from his ankle. He received six months in jail for the offense.
  • He was arrested in 2011 for misdemeanor domestic battery.
  • Data from his ankle monitoring device showed nine days straight of drinking and at one point, a blood alcohol count five times the legal limit.

The judge came down hard on this man, but his sentence could be cut in half for good behavior and he will get credit for the five months he has served. In addition to the jail time, the judge is recommending a substance abuse treatment program.

The felony DUI charge stems from a 2008 incident when the driver was pulled over for driving in the wrong lane into oncoming traffic. According to the police report, the defendant refused the Breathalyzer test and was unable to stand because he was so drunk. This incident was the defendant's third offense, which made it a felony. The DUI felony charge carries a prison term of three to seven years, but probation is an option.

In 2009, the judge sentenced the man to 30 months probation with the understanding that he would be sentenced to jail for six months, when released he was not to drink, and was ordered to wear an alcohol monitoring anklet. The sentence also included a fine of $3,085.

As in this case, a DUI charge can cause serious consequences that can affect you for the rest of your life. In some instances, you could face a license suspension, jail time, a vehicle monitoring device, or a large fine. Only an experienced Illinois DUI attorney can help you figure out what options will work best for your situation.

Source: Daily Herald, "Elgin man blows DUI probation, goes to prison," Harry Hitzeman, Jan. 22, 2012