Waukegan is the Lake County seat, and the courthouse where DUI cases from Waukegan, Gurnee and Zion are heard is the Lake County Courthouse complex at 18 N. County Street. If you were arrested for DUI in any of these three communities, the case is generally filed in the same 19th Judicial Circuit. Stavros Law Offices defends these charges. Our attorneys are both former Lake County Assistant State's Attorneys. See our attorney profiles to learn more.
One Courthouse for Three Communities
The Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan includes the main courthouse and the Criminal Court Tower at 301 Washington Street. The court's Misdemeanor/Traffic Division handles drunk driving charges, and some traffic matters may be set at a branch court. Your notice to appear lists the location, courtroom and date. Confirm them with the Circuit Clerk or call our office. Our attorneys' background as Lake County prosecutors means they know how the State's Attorney's office in Waukegan reviews DUI files.
DUI Arrests in Waukegan, Gurnee and Zion
In Waukegan, a stop may happen on Sheridan Road, Belvidere Road or downtown streets. In Gurnee, traffic builds near the Interstate 94 interchanges at Grand Avenue, Milwaukee Avenue and Belvidere Road. In Zion, Route 173, Sheridan Road and the roads near Illinois Beach State Park are common routes. Wherever the stop happened, the case has two tracks: the criminal charge and a Secretary of State summary suspension that begins on the 46th day after notice. The deadline to petition to rescind is 90 days. See our Lake County DUI page and summary suspension guide.
What We Examine in a DUI Case
We review the basis for the stop, how the officer administered field sobriety tests, what video shows, and whether the breath, blood or urine test was done properly. We also check the paperwork for gaps. If you have a prior, the charge level and penalties change, so read about second offense and aggravated DUI cases. Aggravated DUI covers situations such as a third or later DUI, a crash causing serious injury or death, or a child under 16 in the car, and it is usually a felony.
Other Charges and Nearby Pages
If your charge is not a DUI, see our criminal defense pages for Waukegan, Gurnee and Zion. Our criminal defense hub, Illinois DUI defense page, and the Grayslake, Lake Forest and Deerfield pages may also help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Waukegan, Gurnee and Zion DUI cases heard?
At the Lake County Courthouse complex in Waukegan, in the 19th Judicial Circuit. Some traffic matters may be set at a branch court, so confirm the location on your notice.
Is there a deadline to challenge my license suspension?
Yes. A petition to rescind must be filed within 90 days of the notice, and the suspension takes effect on the 46th day after notice. Filing does not stay the suspension by itself.
What makes a DUI aggravated?
Examples include a third or later DUI, a crash causing great bodily harm or death, or a child under 16 in the vehicle. Aggravated DUI is usually charged as a felony.
Can I get a permit to drive during a suspension?
First offenders may be eligible for a monitoring device driving permit, which requires an ignition interlock device. Eligibility depends on your record and the facts of the arrest.
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.