Christopher E. Bemben
CRIMINAL DEFENSE & PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY

If you have been arrested for a DUI in the State of Illinois, it could have a serious affect on your freedom due to jail time, or issues with employment, driving privileges and immigration status, if this applies to you. Once you get arrested the Government will immediately begin working on your case. It is imperative you seek experienced counsel right away.

The Illinois DUI defense Attorneys at Bemben Law Group are all former Assistant State Prosecutors, who will provide experience and knowledgeable legal representation, from the time of the arrest to the completion of the case. We will analyze the evidence of your case and advise you of the strategy necessary to ensure you the best possible outcome.

There are two issues to every DUI in the State of Illinois. The first issue being the criminal charge of driving under the influence, and the second being the Illinois Summary Suspension Law (driver's license suspension).

CRIMINAL CHARGE FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
If you have been charged with a DUI in Illinois, it could have a grave impact upon your life. Under Illinois DUI Law, you could face jail time, DUI and alcohol classes, revocation of your driver's license, possibly pay thousands of dollars in fines, and affect your immigration status, if this applies to you. At Bemben Law Group, we generally look for two issues when reviewing the evidence of your case. First, we look to see if there was a violation of your fourth amendment right from the point the officer turned on his lights, all the way through until you were legally placed under arrest. If there was a fourth amendment violation, such evidence as admissions to drinking alcohol, field sobriety tests and/or breath tests may be suppressed. If this were to occur, the State's Attorney may be left with a case with no evidence to prosecute, and therefore would have to dismiss the charges against you. Another issue Bemben Law Group would review is whether or not the State's Attorney can prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In making a determination, we review any audio or 911 tapes, any videos whether from the squad cars or body worn camera by the police officer, or in-station videos, along with any and all police reports.

ILLINOIS SUMMARY SUSPENSION LAW
The Illinois Summary Suspension Law states when a person is arrested for DUI he or she consents to submitting to breath, blood or urine tests. The law provides for various lengths of driver's license suspension if the person either fails testing or refuses to submit to testing. The legal standard that governs your suspension is civil in nature and is mere preponderance rather than Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. This standard makes it easier for the State to sustain your license under suspension.

For the most part, the suspension will go into effect 46 days from the date the officer served the driver with the Notice of Summary Suspension. The Police will send a copy of this Notice of Suspension to the Secretary of State, who will calculate when your suspension will go into effect. However, when there has been a blood or urine test, the suspension will not occur after the officer receives a positive lab and then serves proper notice upon the driver. The suspension will then start 46 days from when that driver receives notice. This could take several months from the date of arrest. Therefore, it is best to hire an aggressive attorney who can go into Court prior to the driver's scheduled court date and file the proper motions (Petition to Rescind) to try to stop their driver’s license from going into suspension.

How long will your Driver's License be suspended? The suspension is determined on whether you consented to a breath, blood, or urine test, and whether you are considered a First Time Offender, Second Time Offender, or more, by the Secretary of State. Our attorney’s can help you determine how long your driver’ license suspension will be based on your consent to test and how often you are considered an Offender.

Please contact us for a FREE consultation at (847) 455-3600, to advise you on your case. Let our experience work for you.

The Bemben Law Group has extensive knowledge and experience in how the criminal justice system works. As former State Prosecutors, Mr. Bemben and Mr. Grinbarg have prosecuted and defended over several thousand misdemeanor and felony cases. They have litigated over a thousand bench trials and well over one hundred jury trials. Let their combined 50 years experience work for you.

Immediately upon being retained, Bemben Law Group will send a Subpoena Duces Tecum to the arresting law enforcement agency to obtain any and all evidence the police State's attorney may use against you. After reviewing all the evidence, we will take the appropriate measures to resolve your case. One of our main focuses when representing clients in this area is to determine whether their 4th Amendment in the Constitution has been violated. If so, we will file the appropriate motions to suppress the evidence wrongfully obtained against you.

Call us today for a FREE consultation at (847) 455-3600. Let us work for you!

AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT
No one is ever really prepared for an automobile accident and the effect it has on your life. Time missed from work and the damage to your vehicle are usually the least of your worries, but are issues you will have to address, even in a minor accident. You may face physical injuries, sky-high medical bills, and sometimes, the loss of loved ones. Then legal issues will be incurred. You will have to fight the insurance companies for the money you need to cover your losses. You need the help of an experienced attorney to guide you through the process. After your accident, do not face the insurance companies alone. Call us for a FREE consultation and we will determine if you have a case. If so, we will deliver fast and efficient work.

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident? Motorcycle accidents can involve serious bodily injury and can be particularly fatal to motorcyclists and riders. Unlike occupants in a car or truck, a motorcyclist does not have the structural protections these vehicles provide to their drivers and passengers. There are many common causes for motorcycle accidents, including but not limited to, distracted drivers, such as texting or talking on the phone while driving, eating, using GPS, and aggressive driving behaviors, such as road rage, failing to stop at a red right or improper lance use. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident involving a motorcycle, due to someone else's negligence, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

NURSING HOME ABUSE
Nursing home abuse is a serious issue and is rapidly increasing across the United States of America. Signs of neglect and abuse by home care facilities can include frequent infections, indicating staff at the nursing home are failing to follow proper hand washing and cleansing techniques, and bed sores can indicate physical neglect. Residents who fall frequently, or a loved one becoming withdrawn are also signs of abuse. If you or a family member recognize these signs, it is best to contact an attorney as soon as possible. You have a legal right to hold the negligent party responsible for the wrongful death or the grave injury of your loved one living in a nursing home. Call us today and let us help you.

DOG ATTACK
An estimated 4.5 million dog bites occur in our county, according to the CDC. Statistics show young children and elderly adults are the most common victims of these attacks. Call us today if you have experienced a dog attack and let us work for you.

WORKMAN'S COMPENSATION
In regards to workman's compensation, under Illinois law, all workers who are injured on the job are entitled to prompt compensation for injuries which they suffered in the course of their employment. Illinois law requires costs of such injuries be covered by the employer and not by the individual worker. Under Illinois law, injured workers are entitled to three general benefits; medical care where the injured worker has the option to treat with physicians of their choice, weekly benefits of 66 and 2/3% of their normal average weekly pay when not able to work, and lump sum settlement as compensation for the permanent effects of the injury. Call us today if you feel you have a workman's compensation case. Let us help you!

Our personal injury attorneys will fight to get you the best possible outcome in any personal injury case. You pay NO fee unless you Win! Call us today at (847) 455-3600 for a FREE consultation.

The driver's license reinstatement attorney's at Bemben Law Group have been helping drivers for almost 20 years get their driving privileges reinstated. Whether your license has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled by the Illinois Secretary of State, we can help.

Our legal team has helped thousands of clients reinstate their driving privileges. Let our knowledge and experience work for you. When someone's license goes into suspension or revocation, that person must apply for an informal or formal hearing before the Secretary of State. It is best to have experienced legal counsel to obtain a favorable decision for your driving privileges.

INFORMAL HEARING V'S FORMAL HEARING
There is a different between an informal hearing and formal hearing. As explained by the Illinois Secretary of State, informal hearings are only appropriate for certain drivers with suspended or revoked licenses, for example, traffic offenses that did not result in death, a single DUI offense, minor traffic offenses, and fraud when obtaining a license.
Formal hearings are required for severe traffic offenses, including multiple DUI offenses, accidents resulting in death, or reckless homicide. Unlike informal hearings, drivers must schedule their formal hearing ahead of time.

At Bemben Law Group, we have helped numerous people get their license back and/or permit in the first hearing by relying on our experience and commitment preparation. Because of our 20 years experience, we know what the Secretary of State expects during the administrative hearing process. When you retain our practice, we will prepare you for the drug and alcohol evaluation to make sure you understand what the Secretary of State will question you about during the administrative hearing. We will also schedule the hearing for you and prepare you for the questions you will encounter.

Contact us today at (847) 455-3600 for a FREE consultation so you can have first hand knowledge on how our experience and commitment to preparation can work for you in helping you regain your driving privileges .

GUN CASES
The State of Illinois has some of the most severe gun laws and penalties in the United States. In Illinois, you cannot own or possess a firearm without having an Illinois Firearm Owner's Identification Card(FOID). Even with a FOID CARD, you are very limited to how you can physically possess and transport the firearm. For an attorney to be successful in defending a weapons charge, he or she must have extensive knowledge of the FOURTH AMENDMENT to unreasonable searches and seizures, but also to the Conceal and Carry Laws in the State of Illinois.

Our attorneys at Bemben Law Group have a thorough understanding of the 4th Amendment laws that forbid against illegal searches or seizures, as well as every other law related to the possession and use of firearms and weapons, at a State or Federal level.

DRUG OFFENSES
Do You Want to Determine Whether Or Not You Can Win Your Drug Case? If you were arrested for drug possession, you need an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney to protect your legal rights. Though law enforcement may have discovered illegal narcotics on your person, in your car, or in your house, this does not mean that you will be found guilty of illegal drug possession. There are various strategies that Bemben Law Group will employ to help defend your case. From the training we received as Former State Prosecutors, one of the first issues we examine in your case is whether any of your constitutional rights were violated when law enforcement performed their search and discovered the narcotics. If so, we may be able to file a motion to suppress any evidence that was discovered, and is being used against you by the Government. Essentially, any drugs found in the search would be thrown out as evidence, destroying the State's case charged against you.

Call us for a free consultation at (847) 455-3600. Let our over 20 years of experience determine if one of your Constitutional Rights were violated.

There are two types of traffic violations. Violations requiring a court appearance and violations that can be finalized without court assistance. The ticket will state whether a court appearance is required. According to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, the following types of violations require a court appearance:

COURT APPEARANCE VIOLATIONS
-Class A and Class B misdemeanors
-Violations including Operating Without Insurance ( 625 ILCS 5/3-707), Operating When Registration Suspended for Non-insurance, No Valid Driver’s License (625 ILCS 5/6-101), Driving While License is Revoked (625 ILCS 5/6-303), and more
-Violations of the Child Passenger Protection Act
-Violations involving accidents that result in injury or death
-Conservation offenses
-Violations arising from numerous charges
-Violations facing minimum fines that are greater than $95
-County or city violations that mirror any of the above offenses

If you have received a traffic violation, it is important to contact a skilled traffic defense attorney to see how that specific ticket will affect your driver's license. If the ticket does not require a Court Appearance, it is still imperative to consult with an experienced attorney before you send in the documents the officer issued to you at the time of the stop.

The penalties for each traffic citation will vary depending on the county in which your ticket was issued and the type of violation. Your ticket will state the violation and penalties. Common penalties include:

COMMON PENALTIES
-Fines
-Court costs or fees
-Traffic school or drug and alcohol classes
-Points on your driving record
-Increased car insurance premiums
-Suspension or revocation of your driver’s license
-Criminal conviction on your record for more serious offenses like DUI
-Potential jail time
-Ignition interlock device
-Disqualification from using CDL if issued a ticket while driving commercially
-Community service

Depending on your age, if you accumulate two or more convictions on your driving record, your license may be suspended or revoked.

Legal Counsel for CDL Holders Facing Serious Violations
When you drive a commercial vehicle for a living, your livelihood and the best interests of your family depend on your continued employment. Traffic violations, even in your personal vehicle, can have a grave impact on your commercial drivers license (CDL), making it difficult for you to continue working.

Traffic tickets of any kind are serious for any driver. For those who hold CDLs, a momentary lapse in judgment could have potentially life-altering consequences. Violations which may seem relatively harmless, albeit expensive, to a non-commercial driver could result in the temporary suspension or lifetime revocation of your CDL. Your commercial drivers license will be suspended for one year if you are convicted for:

-Driving under the influence, or refusing a blood-alcohol content (BAC) test. Suspension applies regardless of whether you were operating a commercial or non-commercial vehicle at the time.
-Operating a commercial vehicle with a BAC or 0.04 or higher.
-Leaving the scene of an accident, regardless of the type of vehicle.
-Any felony involving a motor vehicle of any type. If the felony involves dispensing, distribution, or manufacturing of a controlled substance, your CDL is revoked for life on the first conviction.
-Operating a commercial vehicle with a suspended or revoked CDL.

A second conviction on any of the above will result in a lifetime disqualification of your CDL privileges.

Call us today at (847) 455-3600 and let our experience in Traffic and CDL Violations help you in your case!