The now 43 year old male from Lake County received his first DUI conviction at the age of 17 years old, and this month was sentenced by the court to spend the next 13 years of his life behind bars for his eighth DUI conviction. Reports say over the passing years he received at least nine citations for drinking and driving while under the influence as well as two for being drunk while operating a boat. While this man has been convicted of eight charges, it is said at least four charges were dropped entirely or he received reduced punishments from the court.
Records show that in 1995, this man went to jail for the first time after receiving a DUI conviction and then again the next year because he drove while having a suspended license. The most recent conviction was in October 2011, where he was convicted of his eighth DUI charge; and at this point the court had dropped other criminal charges including fleeing and eluding a police officer and reckless driving. Reporters note that when he was arrested that October, just ten days prior he received a public intoxication charge in Fox Lake.
He was convicted of the DUI charge, and the court denied him the request of thirty days to get his affairs in order. Prosecuting attorney Ben Dillon attempted to have the jail time pushed to 15 years, though the judge ruled that 13 were sufficient. Defense attorney Mike Norris, representing the man shares that over the past two years his client had been under strict probation and abided by the rules closely; he fought to have the sentencing reduced to six years. Despite the man's pleas to be involved in his twelve year old son's life, the court gave him 13 years in prison, with no sign of remorse.
Sadly, because of this intense DUI conviction, this man will not be able to watch is son growing up to become a young man. He will miss out on the high school sporting events, prom, and college graduation; along with so many more monumental parts of his life, because of this sentencing. Fortunately no people were hurt because of the man's actions; though he is still being required to spend a good portion of his life behind bars for his actions. Perhaps less time behind bars and more time in treatment would have been more fitting? Unfortunately, he will not be given the opportunity to find out.
Multiple DUI charges can result in varying consequences if a person is convicted, depending on the severity of the specific charges as well as the number of offense. For example, a second time offender may be looking at extensive fines, jail time, and
probation; however, the more offenses the longer the time and cost of the penalty will be. It is for this reason that having an aggressive defense attorney is so crucial, because your very future may be at stake!
If you or a loved one have been arrested for a DUI charge, no matter the severity or number of occasions, contact the Law Office of Michael P. Schmiege today for the Chicago criminal defense attorney you want fight on your side. At our firm we will do whatever we can to lower the charges placed against you, and to help you receive the treatment you really need as opposed to time behind bars. While we can make no guarantees for the outcome of a case, we will put all our efforts forward on your behalf. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you!