"You saved my License . . . Thank
you!" - Sean
W. - Naperville
"Going to trial was never an option for
me . . . the settlement you negotiated was
perfect. I greatly appreciate all of your
efforts." - Linda
H. - Carol Stream
". . . your performance at trial
was
masterful." - Gerard
S. - Lombard
The Leader in DuPage DUI Defense
-Call 630-809-3035
With his extensive experience in defending DUI charges exclusively in
DuPage County, Brent Christensen's clients expect and receive
unmatched legal expertise. What surprises many though, is the level of personal
service they receive as clients. The key to this committment to personal service
is communication. As a client, you'll receive unprecedented one-on-one access
directly with your lawyer, Brent Christensen,not
some junior associate or a paralegal. So whether it's by an office consultation,
phone call, email or text, you can be sure that every step of the way, you'll be
able to get your questions about your DuPage DUI case answered and your concerns
addressed.
What You Should Know About Driving Under the
Influence in DuPage County
When you've been charged with a DUI or "drunk driving" case anywhere in
DuPage County, Illinois, the first step is to arm yourself with as much knowledge as
possible. This step should come before you start calling
attorneys. Hiring an attorney is important, but hiring the wrong attorney
can lead to a very bad result in the end. So, to begin with it's important
to gather information about the nature of the DUI charge that you are
facing. The nature of the DUI offense has a lot to do with the town or
municipality where you were arrested since most towns in DuPage County charge
DUIs under their local ordinances rather than State Statute. You can
start here by finding the police agency that arrested you to learn more about
the law used to charge you with impaired driving.
As we discuss in the next section, one of the most costly mistakes people
make when they've first gotten a DUI is to assume the worst. Under the
U.S. Constitution the ultimate issue in any criminal case like a DUI
is whether the prosecutor can prove guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt. Even if you know you were intoxicated, you have an absolute right
to avail yourself of every possible legal defense. So before you go
rushing off to hire a lawyer who might automatically advise you to plead guilty,
take some time to consider some technical defenses that might be available
to fight the DUI case against you.
After being pulled over for a routine traffic violation, most DUI patrol
officers will attempt to sniff out any odor of alcoholic beverages on a
suspected DUI driver's breath. Then they will carefully observe how readily the
driver can produce his or her license and insurance card. Usually at this stage
in a potential DUI arrest situation the first officer on the scene will call for
back-up. Despite what they might admit to before a judge, most police officers
in this situation have already decided to ask the driver to step out of the
vehicle to perform tests "just to see if you're ok to drive."
With very
few exceptions you should NEVER perform any tests while on the roadside. These
tests are called Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), they include the HGN test, the Walk and Turn test and the One Leg Standtest - and you are
not obligated to perform any of them. Undoubtedly, the police officer won't ask,
he'll tell you that he needs you to do some tests. Indeed, he does need you to
do these tests because he needs to increase his chance of a DUI conviction.
Again, with very few exceptions you should always politely refuse to do ANY
tests at the roadside.
After the Police have administered the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests,
they will frequently present you with a Portable Breath Test while still
on the roadside. The results of a PBT by law cannot be used
in a criminal DUI trial but it can the test can be used by the officer for
purposes of establishing probable cause for an arrest. As a result the PBT
results can be used against you with respect to Summary Suspension of your
driver's license.
The potential of Driver's License Suspension is the most devasting aspect in
the majority of DUI cases. This is why DUI
Lawyer Brent Christensen, makes the filing of a Petition
to Rescind Summary Suspension the first priority. But where most lawyers stop at
the mere filing of the
petition, Brent Christensen goes further by issuing subpoenas for
critical breathalyzer records before any suspension begins. Not only is this
preparation the key to getting the summary suspension thrown out
on your first court date, it's also the reason Brent Christensen owns
the best record in DuPage County for winning
the rescission of summary suspensions. Wherever in DuPage
County you might have been arrested for DUI- whether in Naperville, Carol Stream,
Lombard,
Bloomingdale,Villa Park, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Downers Grove,
Glendale
Heights, or any other town in DuPage County, the Law Offices
of Brent M. Christensen can achieve the best possible result in your DuPage DUI
case and your Statutory Summary Suspension.
Chemical
tests are requested by the police after they
have probable cause to believe you are under the influence. In the
overwhelming majority of cases the only chemical test requested by the police is
the breath test.
These chemical tests are often the most challenging
piece of the prosecution's case against you. However, there are many
factors that can cast doubt upon the accuracy of
chemical tests. Each test is subject to error through a combination of variables
that may alter or significantly affect the results of a sample analysis.
The ability of a lawyer to identify and exploit these variables
in court is what separates average lawyers from truly skilled DUI Defense
Professionals.
After a DUI arrest the Police can request
any or all of the following chemical tests:
Breath Test - In
DuPage County, the most commonly used breathalyzer instrument is the
Intoximeter EC/IR. This device is designed to indirectly measure blood alcohol
concentration by estimating the amount of alcohol on the subject's breath. A
formula is used to convert breath alcohol level to an approximate blood
alcohol level.
Urine
Test- A urine sample can be analyzed to determine
alcohol content, although it can take up to two hours for alcohol to show up
in urine. This test is also an indirect measurement of blood alcohol
concentration through an estimate of the amount of alcohol in the urine that
is used to determine the overall blood alcohol concentration.
Blood Test - A
sample of blood is drawn from the subject to directly determine the blood
alcohol concentration in the body. Although the amount of alcohol is at its
highest level about an hour after drinking, alcohol is quickly absorbed into
the blood and can easily be measured through a blood sample.
Prosecutors often suggest these three chemical tests rely on "simple"
science - when alcohol enters the body it enters the bloodstream and the body
then seeks to remove it from the bloodstream through a combination of
metabolism, evaporation, and excretion. Brent Christensen's
knowledge of the extremely complicated array of variables that can skew
this "simple" science is what has made him one of the leading DUI defense
attorneys in the State of Illinois.
Hiring a DUI Lawyer
If you've been charged with a DUI you may be kicking yourself for making a
mistake. This is a natural reaction. But in order to move forward
effectively you should try to focus on your next best move. This will
require you to calmly evaluate your options in finding the best legal
representation for your DUI. Don't let your initial mistake of
driving after having one too many be compounded by making the mistake of hiring
a lawyer who is not equipped to properly handle your case. As you weigh
your options for hiring a DUI lawyer, be careful not to make these common
mistakes.
5 Stars.Brent, you were a
powerful and effective advocate to have in my corner.Thank you for your excellent representation! You are were
better than any lawyer I've ever seen.
- Doug A., a DUI
client
5 Stars.Your work in getting my license back saved my job. I really
appreciate what you did for me
- Gregg S., a DUI client
5 Stars.I highly recommend Brent Christensen for DUI cases in
Naperville. He showed great concern for my case and was able to negotiate a very
good resolution.
- Martin M., a DUI client
5 Stars.Brent Christensen is the most amazing attorney I've ever seen.
He represented my husband 4 years ago in a Carol Stream DUI case and was able to
get the DUI charge completely dismissed. Then last year when I made a stupid
mistake and got stopped for a DUI in Naperville, we turned to Brent again. His
dedication to his clients is simply awesome!
The Leader in DuPage DUI Defense - Call 630-809-3035
With his extensive experience in defending DUI charges exclusively in DuPage County, Brent Christensen's clients expect and receive unmatched legal expertise. What surprises many though, is the level of personal service they receive as clients. The key to this committment to personal service is communication. As a client, you'll receive unprecedented one-on-one access directly with your lawyer, Brent Christensen, not some junior associate or a paralegal. So whether it's by an office consultation, phone call, email or text, you can be sure that every step of the way, you'll be able to get your questions about your DuPage DUI case answered and your concerns addressed.
More About the Areas Where We Fight DUIs
What You Should Know About
Driving Under the Influence in
DuPage County
When you've been charged with a DUI or "drunk driving" case anywhere in DuPage County, Illinois, the first step is to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. This step should come before you start calling attorneys. Hiring an attorney is important, but hiring the wrong attorney can lead to a very bad result in the end. So, to begin with it's important to gather information about the nature of the DUI charge that you are facing. The nature of the DUI offense has a lot to do with the town or municipality where you were arrested since most towns in DuPage County charge DUIs under their local ordinances rather than State Statute. You can start here by finding the police agency that arrested you to learn more about the law used to charge you with impaired driving.
Naperville DUI
Carol Stream DUI
Elmhurst DUI
Lombard DUI
Glendale Heights DUI
Itasca DUI
Wheaton DUI
Bloomingdale DUI
Glen Ellyn DUI
DUI Charges in other DuPage County Towns
The Four Most
Successful DUI Defenses
As we discuss in the next section, one of the most costly mistakes people make when they've first gotten a DUI is to assume the worst. Under the U.S. Constitution the ultimate issue in any criminal case like a DUI is whether the prosecutor can prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Even if you know you were intoxicated, you have an absolute right to avail yourself of every possible legal defense. So before you go rushing off to hire a lawyer who might automatically advise you to plead guilty, take some time to consider some technical defenses that might be available to fight the DUI case against you.
Winning DUI Strategy: #1 - The Improper StopWinning DUI Strategy: #2 - Improper DUI Arrest
Winning DUI Strategy: #3 - Suppression of Incriminating Statements
Winning DUI Strategy: #4 - Improper Breath or Blood Testing
Field Sobriety Testing Explained
After being pulled over for a routine traffic violation, most DUI patrol officers will attempt to sniff out any odor of alcoholic beverages on a suspected DUI driver's breath. Then they will carefully observe how readily the driver can produce his or her license and insurance card. Usually at this stage in a potential DUI arrest situation the first officer on the scene will call for back-up. Despite what they might admit to before a judge, most police officers in this situation have already decided to ask the driver to step out of the vehicle to perform tests "just to see if you're ok to drive."
With very few exceptions you should NEVER perform any tests while on the roadside. These tests are called Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), they include the HGN test, the Walk and Turn test and the One Leg Stand test - and you are not obligated to perform any of them. Undoubtedly, the police officer won't ask, he'll tell you that he needs you to do some tests. Indeed, he does need you to do these tests because he needs to increase his chance of a DUI conviction. Again, with very few exceptions you should always politely refuse to do ANY tests at the roadside.
More on Field Sobriety Tests
The Portable Breath Test (PBT)
After the Police have administered the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, they will frequently present you with a Portable Breath Test while still on the roadside. The results of a PBT by law cannot be used in a criminal DUI trial but it can the test can be used by the officer for purposes of establishing probable cause for an arrest. As a result the PBT results can be used against you with respect to Summary Suspension of your driver's license.
More on Portable Breath Tests
Call 630-809-3035
For More Information
Click Here for a Free On-Line Case Evaluation!
Fighting License Suspension
The potential of Driver's License Suspension is the most devasting aspect in the majority of DUI cases. This is why DUI Lawyer Brent Christensen, makes the filing of a Petition to Rescind Summary Suspension the first priority. But where most lawyers stop at the mere filing of the petition, Brent Christensen goes further by issuing subpoenas for critical breathalyzer records before any suspension begins. Not only is this preparation the key to getting the summary suspension thrown out on your first court date, it's also the reason Brent Christensen owns the best record in DuPage County for winning the rescission of summary suspensions. Wherever in DuPage County you might have been arrested for DUI- whether in Naperville, Carol Stream, Lombard, Bloomingdale,Villa Park, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Glendale Heights, or any other town in DuPage County, the Law Offices of Brent M. Christensen can achieve the best possible result in your DuPage DUI case and your Statutory Summary Suspension.
MORE ON LICENSE SUSPENSION
DUI Chemical Testing
Chemical tests are requested by the police after they have probable cause to believe you are under the influence. In the overwhelming majority of cases the only chemical test requested by the police is the breath test.
These chemical tests are often the most challenging piece of the prosecution's case against you. However, there are many factors that can cast doubt upon the accuracy of chemical tests. Each test is subject to error through a combination of variables that may alter or significantly affect the results of a sample analysis. The ability of a lawyer to identify and exploit these variables in court is what separates average lawyers from truly skilled DUI Defense Professionals.
After a DUI arrest the Police can request any or all of the following chemical tests:
Prosecutors often suggest these three chemical tests rely on "simple" science - when alcohol enters the body it enters the bloodstream and the body then seeks to remove it from the bloodstream through a combination of metabolism, evaporation, and excretion. Brent Christensen's knowledge of the extremely complicated array of variables that can skew this "simple" science is what has made him one of the leading DUI defense attorneys in the State of Illinois.
Hiring a DUI Lawyer
If you've been charged with a DUI you may be kicking yourself for making a mistake. This is a natural reaction. But in order to move forward effectively you should try to focus on your next best move. This will require you to calmly evaluate your options in finding the best legal representation for your DUI. Don't let your initial mistake of driving after having one too many be compounded by making the mistake of hiring a lawyer who is not equipped to properly handle your case. As you weigh your options for hiring a DUI lawyer, be careful not to make these common mistakes.
Don't Fall for a Lawyer's Sales Pitch
Beware of the "Cafeteria-Style" Lawyer
Lawyers Who Practice in Multiple Counties
The "Former Prosecutor" Trap
Hiring the Cheapest Lawyer
Client
Reviews- Doug A., a DUI client
5 Stars. Your work in getting my license back saved my job. I really appreciate what you did for me
- Gregg S., a DUI client
5 Stars. I highly recommend Brent Christensen for DUI cases in Naperville. He showed great concern for my case and was able to negotiate a very good resolution.
- Martin M., a DUI client
5 Stars. Brent Christensen is the most amazing attorney I've ever seen. He represented my husband 4 years ago in a Carol Stream DUI case and was able to get the DUI charge completely dismissed. Then last year when I made a stupid mistake and got stopped for a DUI in Naperville, we turned to Brent again. His dedication to his clients is simply awesome!
- Nichole V., a DUI client
Call 630-809-3035
For More Information
Copyright 2018 by Brent M. Christensen. All intellectual property rights reserved.