Driving under the influence (DUI) is not a uniform charge. Rather, there are many different factors that affect how a specific incident of alleged drunk driving is charged. These include the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the arrest, his or her age, whether the driver has previous DUI charges on his or her record, and whether the drunk driving caused a victim to suffer an injury or death.
A “regular” first time DUI is charged as a Class A misdemeanor in Illinois. However, there are circumstances under which a first offense DUI may be charged as a felony. Specific factors that cause a DUI charge to be “upgraded” are known as aggravating factors. An upgraded DUI charge is known as an aggravated DUI.
When a DUI is a Class 2 Felony
DUI is charged as a Class 2 felony under the following circumstances:
...