DUI Charges and Delayed Intoxication

 Posted on February 17, 2017 in Uncategorized

If you are not normally a drinker and recently went out with friends, you may have found yourself in an unfortunate circumstance—a delayed sense of intoxication that ultimately resulted in a DUI charge. What is this phenomenon, though, and why is it important?

What is Delayed Intoxication?

Delayed intoxication is exactly what the phrase implies: an individual who has consumed alcohol does not immediately feel the effects of the alcohol but later realizes they are more intoxicated than they initially though. Delayed intoxication could happen if your tolerance for alcohol has changed because of age or weight loss or due to other factors, such as how much food you ate before you started drinking. If you at home, a friend’s house, or an establishment when the alcohol catches up with you, it is unlikely to matter all that much. On the other hand, if you start to feel the effects while you are behind the wheel, you could be in for some trouble.

When Delayed Intoxication Leads to a DUI

It might sound like a made-up phenomenon, but delayed intoxication is a real thing. It can also result in some serious consequences, such as an accident and/or criminal charges for driving over the legal limit. So what if the latter happens? Is there anything that can be done, or should you just accept the consequences? You might be surprised to learn that this could potentially be used as your defense. Granted, every situation is different, which is why it is critical to ensure you have an experienced attorney assisting you with your case.

Give Up or Fight the Charges?

Fighting DUI charges might not seem like the responsible thing to do—especially if you did actually drive intoxicated. Yet, if you normally make very responsible choices and in this particular instance you suffered from delayed intoxication, you should not feel guilty for using a valid and real defense to combat the charges against you. Further, it is critical that you understand the consequences of not fighting back. In Illinois, you could lose your license for up to a year, and you may be required to use a monitoring device just to get to and from work or school in addition to expensive fines and possible imprisonment.

Do not let this happen to you. Contact an experienced Joliet DUI defense attorney and get the quality legal defense you deserve. We will fight for your rights and seek the most favorable outcome possible in your case. Call the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, P.C. at 815-740-4025 for a free consultation today.