What Should Professionals Charged with a DUI Do?

 Posted on December 18, 2025 in Criminal Defense

If you’re reading this, you probably already made a mistake that so many people make: You got behind the wheel after a few drinks and you got pulled over. If you are a member of your local Chicago community, you might be worried about losing your license, your job, and your reputation. Will your colleagues find out about your DUI? What about your extended family? Your clients? 

Take a breath. A DUI charge is serious, but it does not have to destroy your life. The CDC says that about a million people are arrested every year for DUIs; these cases are common and prosecutors often want to resolve them quickly.

Our Chicago DUI defense attorney is a former Special Assistant General Counsel with the State of Illinois who can help. We offer free consultations, speak English, German, Farsi, and French, and we welcome all clients. Let's talk about what you need to know right now.

Am I Going to Jail for My First DUI if I Have a Good Job?

The good news is that you probably won’t go to jail, especially if this is your first DUI and nobody got hurt. Most first-time Illinois DUI cases without injuries or property damage do not result in a jail sentence.

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, a first offense can carry up to a year in jail. Judges rarely impose that maximum sentence for someone with a clean record and a professional career.

The real question is whether you can avoid a conviction altogether. That is where having the right attorney matters. Our Lakeview DUI lawyer will take the time to understand your case and figure out the best strategy. We might:

• Challenge breathalyzer results

• Question whether the traffic stop was legal

• Find errors with chain-of-custody for evidence 

Sometimes this approach can get charges reduced. Sometimes they get dismissed entirely.

Should I Just Plead Guilty for a First-Time DUI and Get It Over With?

Do not plead guilty just to make this go away faster unless you have already talked to a lawyer. A DUI conviction stays on your record forever in Illinois. For white-collar professionals, it can derail your career.

Even if the evidence looks bad, there are often ways to challenge it. Breathalyzer machines malfunction. Officers make mistakes. Procedures get violated. Blood tests get contaminated. You need an attorney who knows what to look for and how to use these issues to your advantage.

Will Everyone Find Out that I Got a DUI?

Court records are public, but your DUI probably won’t be on the front page of the newspaper. Most DUI cases do not attract media attention unless you are famous or the case involves a serious accident.

The bigger concern is whether you have to report the charge to your licensing board or employer. Many professions require disclosure of criminal charges, even before a conviction. Your attorney can advise you on your specific reporting obligations and help you navigate those requirements carefully. The right attorney will handle your case quietly and understand that protecting your privacy is part of protecting your future.

What Should a Professional or Community Member Charged with a DUI Do Right Now?

Stop talking about your case. Do not post on social media. Do not discuss it with friends over drinks. Do not try to explain yourself to colleagues who have heard rumors.

Second, write down everything you remember about your arrest while it is still fresh in your mind. What time was it? Where were you pulled over? What did the officer say? Did they give you field sobriety tests? What happened at the station? These details matter.

Third, call an attorney immediately. You have rights, but you need someone who knows how to protect them.

Contact a Chicago, IL DUI Defense Attorney Today

Our River North DUI defense lawyer at Cameron Law Center, LLC offers free consultations and can speak with you in English, German, Farsi, or French. We offer a friendly, welcoming space for all members of our Chicago community. Call Cameron Law Center, LLC at 312-489-8638 right now to discuss your case confidentially.