In a bizarre twist, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, a driver in an accident in Cook county, right around the corner from Chicago, Illinois, allegedly was found with a spent bottle of Patron, failed field sobriety tests, and then submitted to a breath test that showed a 0.295 breath alcohol level. For those who may have been living on Mars, that's a lot.
And then she was not charged with DUI.
The officer reportedly told the driver she was "getting a break." I have to agree - an Illinois DUI arrest means big trouble, including a minimum six month license suspension, criminal charges that carry penalties up to 364 days in jail and $2500 in fines plus court costs. As I've said here before, according to the Illinois Secretary of State, dealing with a DUI in Illinois costs around $15,000.00 when all is said and done. The Illinois Department of Transportation puts that number more at about $19,000.00.
So yes, while there may indeed be missing facts we don't have (maybe the officer saw the driver chugging the bottle of Patron while standing outside her car after the accident, or maybe she's in the Federal witness protection program?), it's fair to suggest this qualifies as "getting a break".
Most people aren't so lucky, and if you or your loved one is not "getting a break" on a DUI, criminal or traffic matter, don't hesitate to call and speak with me or one of my partners at Fagan, Fagan & Davis by calling 847-635-8200 now for a free consultation.
Showing posts with label corruption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label corruption. Show all posts
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Bad Boyz of Chicago - Chicago PD DUI Hat Trick
First, Chicago police officer John Haleas was found to be fabricating DUI cases last April (and currently faces related felony criminal charges), then earlier this week the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Chicago police officer Joe Parker stands accused of doing much the same. And today the Chicago police face yet another black eye - Chicago police officer Richard Fiorito faces a federal lawsuit alleging he, too is ready to make up a DUI case from thin air.
To be sure, this is not a good week for the CPD, and Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez cannot be very pleased to have to deal with this in her first months in office.
Probably more miserable tonight is embattled Superintendant of Chicago Police Jody Weis, who just a few days ago, refused to comply with an order by U.S. Magistrate Maria Valdez requiring the Department turn over information about officers with multiple complaints. Talk about bad timing!
Inexplicably, Weis, who is sworn to uphold the Consitution, and to protect the public, argued that turning over the information would “compromise officers’ performance, threaten safety, reduce morale and improperly impugn many officers’ otherwise well-deserved good reputations.”
Superintendant Weis - given the accusations against officers Haleas, Parker and Fiorito, don't you think that not turning over the information does more to "threaten" public safety? Shouldn't you be concerned that the actions of these officers "reduce morale" of their fellow officers? Isn't it time for you to act to protect the public from official misdconduct? Doesn't the act of sheltering officers repeatedly accused of misconduct "impugn many officers' otherwise well-deserved good reputations?"
DUI is punishable in Illnois by up to 364 days in jail and up to $2500 in fines plus costs. Defendants stand to lose their licenses, thousands of dollars, their freedom, their reputations, and in some cases their jobs. Stop playing hide the ball - Chicago police officers need to know their credibility and professionalism is fundamental to the performance of their duties and is not subject to compromise.
To be sure, this is not a good week for the CPD, and Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez cannot be very pleased to have to deal with this in her first months in office.
Probably more miserable tonight is embattled Superintendant of Chicago Police Jody Weis, who just a few days ago, refused to comply with an order by U.S. Magistrate Maria Valdez requiring the Department turn over information about officers with multiple complaints. Talk about bad timing!
Inexplicably, Weis, who is sworn to uphold the Consitution, and to protect the public, argued that turning over the information would “compromise officers’ performance, threaten safety, reduce morale and improperly impugn many officers’ otherwise well-deserved good reputations.”
Superintendant Weis - given the accusations against officers Haleas, Parker and Fiorito, don't you think that not turning over the information does more to "threaten" public safety? Shouldn't you be concerned that the actions of these officers "reduce morale" of their fellow officers? Isn't it time for you to act to protect the public from official misdconduct? Doesn't the act of sheltering officers repeatedly accused of misconduct "impugn many officers' otherwise well-deserved good reputations?"
DUI is punishable in Illnois by up to 364 days in jail and up to $2500 in fines plus costs. Defendants stand to lose their licenses, thousands of dollars, their freedom, their reputations, and in some cases their jobs. Stop playing hide the ball - Chicago police officers need to know their credibility and professionalism is fundamental to the performance of their duties and is not subject to compromise.
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