DUI Defense
Aggravated DUI
Reduced to reckless driving
Challenged the traffic stop and breathalyzer calibration records; charge reduced to a non-DUI traffic offense.
Collinsville sits in Madison County, so DUI cases are heard at the Madison County Courthouse in Edwardsville — not in Belleville. The procedures are similar to St. Clair, but the judges, prosecutors, and local practice are distinct, and effective defense requires familiarity with both.
Collinsville DUI arrests frequently originate from Illinois State Police stops along I-55, I-70, and I-255, and from Collinsville PD enforcement along Highway 159 and Vandalia Street. The firm handles the Petition to Rescind and the criminal case in Madison County and coordinates the MDDP application with the Secretary of State.
Madison County applies the same statutory framework as the rest of Illinois (46-day automatic suspension, 6-month/1-year terms for first offense), but local court schedules and prosecutorial practice can produce different opportunities for negotiation and resolution. Local experience matters.
Full DUI Defense practice overviewField sobriety, breathalyzer, and chemical-test defense, plus license reinstatement after revocation.
Illinois DUI defense is technical. The State must prove that the defendant was in actual physical control of the vehicle and was under the influence — either by BAC at or above 0.08% or by impairment evidence. Every element is contestable, and every piece of evidence the State relies on was generated by a procedure with rules that the officer must follow.
The Standardized Field Sobriety Tests — Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand — are validated only when administered exactly as the NHTSA manual prescribes. Wrong surface, inadequate instructions, failure to demonstrate, weather conditions, and the defendant's medical history all undermine the evidentiary value of the tests. The firm cross-examines the officer's training and the test administration in detail.
DUI Defense cases from Collinsville are typically heard at the Madison County Courthouse. The firm appears in this courthouse regularly and is familiar with its judges, prosecutors, and procedures.
Decades of appearances in Madison County courthouses. Familiar with the judges, prosecutors, and local procedures that shape your case.
Your case is handled by Cheryl Whitley personally — not handed off to associates or paralegals. Direct communication from intake to resolution.
Every case is prepared as if it will go to trial. That preparation drives better plea negotiations and stronger outcomes at every stage.
Emergencies don't wait for business hours. The firm is reachable when you need guidance most — including evenings and weekends.
Challenged the traffic stop and breathalyzer calibration records; charge reduced to a non-DUI traffic offense.
Challenged the traffic stop and field sobriety administration; all DUI charges were dismissed.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Confidential consultation for dui defense matters across Madison County. Share a few details and Cheryl will respond personally — typically within one business day.