Attorney Neil G. Patel's Legal Cases

DUI and DWI

DUI Not Guilty — Passed Out in McDonald's Drive-Thru

Feb 03, 2026

OUTCOME: Not Guitly on DUI and any other tickets

Joliet Police found client unconscious in running vehicle between McDonald's payment and pickup windows. Required sternal rubs to wake him. Strong odor of alcohol on breath, bloodshot/glassy eyes, admi ... tted to drinking beer, wearing VIP wristbands from prior event. Refused field sobriety tests and breath test. State could not prove when impairment occurred or whether client was impaired while actually driving versus after stopping. Without chemical evidence, officer observations alone insufficient to meet beyond-reasonable-doubt standard. Bench trial verdict: Not Guilty.

DUI and DWI

DUI Suspension — 117 MPH CDL Driver

Feb 02, 2026

OUTCOME: Summary Suspenion Dismissed - Driver's License protected

Romeoville Police clocked client at 117 mph in a 45 mph zone. Showed red/glassy eyes, slurred speech, refused field sobriety tests, refused breath test at station. As CDL holder, faced automatic 12-mon ... th commercial driving disqualification — ending career and family income. State failed to provide required hearing within statutory 30-day deadline. We moved for rescission based on procedural violation. Result: 12-month suspension rescinded, CDL saved, career intact. Constitutional due process applies to everyone — even when driving 70+ over the limit.

DUI and DWI

DUI Not Guilty — "I Need to Sober Up" Admission

Jan 27, 2026

OUTCOME: Not Guity of DUI and most other tickets

Park Forest Police stopped client for repeated lane violations, driving with no visible registration, and failing to stop immediately when lights/siren activated. Strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot/glas ... sy eyes, slurred speech. Changed story about drinking amounts. Before field tests, client asked for a minute and stated he needed to "sober up." Maximum 6/6 HGN score, failed Walk-and-Turn, refused One Leg Stand after arguing 4 minutes, refused breath test. Charged with 7 counts including DUI. At trial, argued "sober up" could mean "clear my head after long work day," not admission of intoxication. State failed to prove impairment beyond reasonable doubt. Bench trial verdict: Not Guilty.

DUI and DWI

DUI Not Guilty — .086 Breath Test Excluded

Dec 09, 2025

OUTCOME: Not Guitly on DUI

Illinois State Police responded to I-55 crash at Weber Road. Client failed all field tests including maximum 6/6 HGN score. Breath test at station: .086 BAC (over .08 legal limit). Charged with 5 separ ... ate counts including DUI-Alcohol and DUI-BAC. Filed Motion to Suppress challenging probable cause for arrest. Court granted motion — .086 breath test excluded from evidence entirely. Without breath test, State left with crash client attributed to "dozing off" and subjective observations. Bench trial verdict: Not Guilty on all 5 charges. Fourth Amendment protections apply even when you've consumed alcohol.

Speeding and traffic ticket

Saved a CDL Driver

Sep 15, 2021

OUTCOME: Case DIsmissed

Landscaper charged in Will County with not having a CDL while driving a truck with a trailer attached. Result was case dismissed on first court date

DUI and DWI

DUI Charge with a Gun in the car

Aug 11, 2021

OUTCOME: Not Guilty of DUI and Unlawful Possession of a FIrearm

Client with a prior DUI, was charged with DUI in Will County. He also possessed a valid FOID and CCL card. At the time of the DUI arrest, he was in possession of a loaded firearm. He was also charged w ... ith unlawfully possessing a firearm in violation of his CCL. He failed his field sobriety testing, admitted to drinking, and was accused of failing to stop for the officer. Result following a bench trial was not guilty of the DUI. Based on the failure to prove that the Defendant was under the influence of alcohol, the Defendant was found not guilty of unlawfully possessing the firearm. The firearm was later return to the client’s agent

Domestic violence

Domestic Battery Against Ex-Wife

May 26, 2021

OUTCOME: Not Guilty of Domestic Battery After a Jury Trial

Client was accused of battering his ex wife, who claimed he threw a shoe at her, causing a bruise. The State called his 13 year old daughter as a witness against him. Client testified and denied such ... an act. Client was found not guilty following a jury trial based in part on inconsistences between the alleged victim and his daughter and the victim's admissions that she was a hemophiliac and could cause bruises simply by pressing on her skin.

DUI and DWI

IL vs. DG

Jan 11, 2016

OUTCOME: Driving privileges reinstated in full

Client arrested for DUI and his Driver's License was suspended for 3 years. After a hearing, Court finds that the license should not be suspended.

Criminal defense

People of IL vs. D.R.

Sep 01, 2012

OUTCOME: Not Guilty after trial

Client was in prison for murder. Client had reported a guard who had ruined his dietary meal. The following week, the guard opened the clients cell door in violation of prison policy and rushed my clie ... nt. My client defended himself from the guard and left him bruised with various cut. Client, who didn't have a mark on him, was found not guilty after a jury trial, showing he acted in self defense

Neil G. Patel's Legal Cases (9)

DUI Not Guilty — Passed Out in McDonald's Drive-Thru

DUI Suspension — 117 MPH CDL Driver

DUI Not Guilty — "I Need to Sober Up" Admission

DUI Not Guilty — .086 Breath Test Excluded

Saved a CDL Driver

DUI Charge with a Gun in the car

Domestic Battery Against Ex-Wife

IL vs. DG

People of IL vs. D.R.