In Illinois, A DUI conviction will remain on an individual's criminal record for the rest of his or her life. As a result, a DUI conviction could limit an individual's employment, educational and housing opportunities. In addition to potentially damaging one's career, the consequences of a DUI conviction could also put a strain on one's relationship with a spouse or impact one's rights to child custody.

The legal consequences are certainly severe after an arrest for drunk driving, but the lasting effects of a conviction could be far worse. Because of the significant impact on one's future a conviction could have, individuals may choose to fight DUI charges in order to avoid a conviction entirely.

After being charged four years ago for drunk driving and resisting an arrest, a Lake County judge will go to trial this May to fight the charges.

The Lake County judge was charged with DUI in April 2008. According to police reports, a Vernon Hills police officer noted that the judge's car was making a right turn when the car drove into the wrong lane after the turn. The officer stopped the driver and noted that he could detect the smell of alcohol on the judge.

But when the officer asked the Lake County judge to step out of his vehicle, the judge allegedly refused to do so. A second officer arrived at the scene to assist with the arrest. The officers then pepper-sprayed the judge and had him taken to a local hospital. At the hospital, blood tests were drawn which revealed that the judge's blood alcohol level was more than the legal limit of 0.08.

The judge has since been fighting the charges. So far, an appellate court has ruled that the blood tests cannot be used as evidence against the judge in the DUI case. The court concluded that the tests may have been obtained illegally. The trial is scheduled to begin May 7. If the Lake County judge is convicted, the offense will remain on his record and he could be sentenced to serve a maximum of one year in jail.

Source: Chicago Daily Herald, "Judge's DUI/resisting arrest trial set for May," Tony Gordon, Jan. 30, 2012