Refusing a Breath Test in Illinois Can Lead to Serious Penalties

Illinois drivers know that if they are arrested for drunk driving, harsh penalties are likely to follow. However, fewer are likely to know that severe penalties can result if they are pulled over under suspicion of drunk driving and refuse to take a blood or breath test, whether or not they are ultimately found to be over the legal limit.

The reason for these penalties is found in Illinois’ implied consent law. Under the law, all Illinois residents have agreed, by exercising the privilege of driving motor vehicles on the state’s roads, to agree to take a chemical test to determine the degree to which they are impaired if suspected [...]