Monitoring Device Driver Permits in Chicago

Guidance from a Chicago DUI Attorney

At the Law Offices of Mitch Furman, my experience can prove beneficial to help you pursue a monitoring device driver permit. If you have been convicted of driving while intoxicated, you will likely face many penalties. You may be assigned jail time, fines, and a license suspension / revocation. If this is a first time offense, you may be permitted to have a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) in lieu of not being able to drive during your suspension.

The MDDP law, which came into effect on January 1, 2009, requires any convicted driver to have a breath alcohol interlock ignition device (BAIID) installed on the car that he or she drives. Under the MDDP law, only first offenders are eligible for this device.

Some exclusions under the MDDP law include:

If the offender is less than 18 years of age
If the offender was previously convicted of reckless homicide
If the offender's license is otherwise invalid
If death or great bodily harm resulted from the offender's original DUI arrest

Contact our firm today to learn if you are eligible for an MDDP. Our criminal defense attorney has more than a decade of experience in criminal cases and can offer the legal counsel you need after a conviction for DWI.

More About the MDDP

If an offender opts an MDDP, he or she must pay an administrative fee of $30 per month for the entire length of the license suspension. The total fee must be paid in full and up front to the Illinois Secretary of State. So for example, you must pay $180 if your license has been suspended for 6 months and $330 if your license has been suspended for a year. You must also take your vehicle to a company that is certified to install the BAIID, where you will be required to pay an installation fee as well as a monthly device fee.

On the other hand, a DUI offender retains the option to opt out of the MDDP. If they choose to opt out, his or her license will remain suspended for the duration designated by the court and no driving privileges will be extended. If you have been arrested for DUI and are not sure which option you would prefer, seek trusted counsel from our attorney today in a free case evaluation.

Violations of the MDDP Law

It is exceedingly important to follow the rules imposed by the MDDP law in order to retain the privilege of driving your vehicle while your license is suspended. An offender may be charged with a violation for attempting to "outsmart" the MDDP law by tampering with or removing the BAIID that has been installed on his or her vehicle. Any violations are taken seriously and may result in complete removal of driving privileges during your license suspension for a DUI.

Other potential violations include:

5+ unsuccessful starts in 24 hours
10+ unsuccessful starts in 30 days
Failure to use the BAIID as often as required
Failing or neglecting to take a running retest
Failure to submit a monitoring report as required by law
Having a BAC of .05 or higher

The MDDP law can be complicated to understand, but as an experienced lawyer, I can help you determine your eligibility and walk you through the process. I have a broad background handling a variety of DUI cases, which can give you the confidence of having legal representation you can trust on your side.

Call (312) 236-7078 to get started!