Cary sits in two counties. The village lies in Algonquin Township, McHenry County, and in Cuba Township, Lake County. If you were arrested for DUI or another crime in Cary, the location of the stop and the county on your paperwork decide whether you report to Woodstock or to Waukegan. Stavros Law Offices defends both. Our attorneys are both former Lake County Assistant State's Attorneys. See our attorney profiles to learn more.
Woodstock or Waukegan?
A McHenry County case from Cary is heard at the Michael J. Sullivan Judicial Center, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue (Route 47) in Woodstock, in the 22nd Judicial Circuit. A Lake County case is heard in the 19th Judicial Circuit at the Lake County Courthouse, 18 N. County Street in Waukegan. Check the county printed on your ticket or charging paper, then confirm the courtroom and date with the Circuit Clerk or by calling us. Our attorneys' background as Lake County prosecutors is useful when a Cary case lands on the Lake County side.
Cary DUI Defense
Route 14 (Northwest Highway) runs through the village, Route 31 forms part of its western edge, and Metra's Union Pacific Northwest line stops in the village. A DUI arrest here triggers a criminal charge and a Secretary of State summary suspension that begins on the 46th day after notice. A petition to rescind is due within 90 days. We look at the reason for the stop, how field sobriety tests were given and how the breath or blood test was handled. Learn about summary suspension our Illinois DUI defense overview, and our McHenry County DUI and Lake County DUI pages.
Criminal Charges We Handle in Cary
We defend retail theft, domestic battery, drug possession, reckless driving and other misdemeanors and felonies. Our McHenry County criminal defense page covers the Woodstock side, and our criminal defense hub covers our work across the region.
What to Do First
Put your ticket, bond or release papers and suspension notice in one place and note which county they name. Do not explain the incident to anyone but your lawyer. Then call so we can check both the criminal court date and the license deadline. If your case is on the Lake County side, our Waukegan, Gurnee and Zion page describes the Waukegan courthouse. If it is filed in Woodstock, see our Huntley, McHenry and Crystal Lake pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cary in McHenry County or Lake County?
Both. Cary is a village in McHenry County and Lake County. Your ticket or charging paper shows which county is handling your case.
Where is a Cary DUI case heard?
A McHenry County case is heard at the Sullivan Judicial Center in Woodstock. A Lake County case is heard at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan. Confirm the courtroom and date with the Circuit Clerk or call our office.
Does a DUI arrest also affect my license?
Yes. A summary suspension starts on the 46th day after notice, separately from the criminal case. For a first offender it is six months after a test at 0.08 or higher and twelve months after a refusal.
What penalties can a first DUI carry?
A first DUI is generally a Class A misdemeanor, with less than one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500 possible. Penalties depend on the facts, the testing level and your record.
Talk to Our Team
Call (847) 520-4810 (our phone line is available 24/7) or request a free consultation online. Our office is at 433 N. Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090, open Monday–Friday 9–5 and closed Saturday. Bilingual staff can assist; se habla español.
This page is general information about Illinois law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, no lawyer can guarantee a result, and past results do not predict future outcomes.