DUI with a child under 16 in the vehicle is a Class 4 felony under 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(1)(K) if bodily harm results, or a Class A misdemeanor with mandatory enhanced penalties if no crash occurs. Enhancements include 6 months minimum jail on second occurrence, mandatory community service, and separate child endangerment referral to DCFS. The chicagoduilawyer.net brand also warns of the collateral track: parallel civil investigation can affect custody, visitation, and family court status. Criminal defense strategy must coordinate with family law counsel from the first appearance because a plea entered blind can devastate ongoing custody proceedings.
