Donald Ramsell
Top Tucson DUI Criminal Defense Firm
Experience:
41 years
Language(s):
English
Donald Ramsell | Tucson DUI Lawyer
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About Donald
Donald J. Ramsell is One of a few DUI defense attorney to appear and argue on an Illinois DUI case before the United States Supreme Court in its entire 213 years of existence.
In 2008, Donald Ramsell began hearings ordered by the Illinois Supreme Court regarding the validity and reliability of the police field sobriety test known as 'horizontal gaze nystagmus'. This issue is being carefully followed by prosecutors, judges, and DUI Defense Attorneys across the country.
Donald J. Ramsell holds the distinguished position of being the sole Illinois DUI defense attorney to have ever argued an Illinois DUI case before the United States Supreme Court, a historic moment in the court's 213-year history.
In a landmark initiative in 2008, Ramsell spearheaded hearings demanded by the Illinois Supreme Court to scrutinize the reliability of the horizontal gaze nystagmus test utilized by police during field sobriety assessments. This pivotal issue continues to capture the attention of legal professionals nationwide.
The year 2007 saw Ramsell being honored as a Sustaining Member of the National College for DUI Defense, recognizing his substantial contributions to this specialized field of law.
His advocacy skills were on display in 2006 when Ramsell successfully secured orders mandating the Illinois State Police Breath Testing Section to extract and disclose the internal data from breath testing devices. This action uncovered widespread inaccuracies in the devices used throughout Illinois.
Donald Ramsell's legal expertise was acknowledged by Chicago Magazine in 2005 when he was designated as an "Illinois Super Lawyer," a title he has been awarded several times, most recently in 2025.
Further elevating his professional credentials, in 2005 Ramsell became the first attorney in Illinois to achieve Board Certification in DUI Defense, as per the American Bar Association’s standards, through the National College for DUI Defense.
Previously, in 2004, Ramsell was recognized by the Chicago Sun Times as one of the top five DUI Defense Attorneys in Illinois, affirming his rank among the elite in his field.
In 1999, Ramsell uncovered that the Department of Public Health had neglected essential accuracy tests on breath testing equipment. This discovery led to the suppression of flawed test results statewide and prompted a significant regulatory overhaul, transferring control of the program to the State Police.
This was preceded by a critical finding in 1998, where Ramsell exposed software manipulation in the Intoxilyzer 5000 (Series 6400 and 6600), which compromised the validity of numerous breathalyzer results across Illinois and led to a statewide inadmissibility of the flawed results.
In 1988, Ramsell brought to light falsifications in the statewide breath testing program's documentation, casting doubt on thousands of tests and instigating an immediate reassessment of the program's integrity.
Earlier, in 1986, his investigative efforts revealed that the same statewide program was employing dubious methods in certifying breathalyzers. His findings disputed thousands of test results and mandated immediate revisions to the program, marking the beginning of his long-standing commitment to ensuring fairness and accuracy in DUI enforcement.
Call us today at 630-256-3001 or send us an email via our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.
Experience
Attorney
Ramsell & Associates, LLC
Present
Admission
Arizona
2017
Education
DePaul Law School
Juris Doctor of Law
1984
Loyola University
Bachelors
1981
Recognitions & Achievements
Associations
-
Pima County Bar Association Member2017 - Present
-
National College of DUI Defense Faculty2013 - Present
-
Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Board of Directors2012 - Present
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American Academy of Forensic Sciences Jurisprudence Section2011 - Present
-
American Chemical Society Member2011 - Present
Honors / Awards
-
Super Lawyer Thomson Reuters2017
-
Illinois Super Lawyer Thomson Reuters2016
-
Illinois Super Lawyer DUI Thomson Reuters2015
-
Illinois Super Lawyer DUI Illinois Super Lawyers2014
-
Illinois Super Lawyer DUI Illinois Super Lawyers2013
Notable Work
Cases
DUI Attorney Successfully Challenges DUI Sobriety Test - HGN
Here, the state Supreme Court held that the DUI sobriety test known as horizontal gaze nystagmus was too unreliable to prove a particular blood alcohol level or that a person was intoxicated beyond a reasonable doubt. The court therefore limited its use in court.
Publications
Thomson West publication Illinois DUI Law and Practice Guidebook
2017
Thomson Reuters Illinois DUI Law and Practice Guidebook
2014
Thomson Reuters Illinois DUI Law & Practice Guidebook
2012
Intoxication Test Evidence (West) Nystagmus Testing for Alcohol and Drugs
2011
ISBA Traffic Law Newsletter Defending Refusals in DUI Jury Trials
2011
Additional Info
Founded 1986
Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. Highlights
Criminal, DUI-DWI, Felony, Misdemeanor, - Criminal Defense - Drug Crimes - Drug Possession - Drug Distribution - Drug Manufacturing - Violent Crimes - Assault - Battery - Domestic Violence - Sex Crimes - Sexual Assault - Crimes Against Children - Weapons Charges - Unlawful Use of a Weapon - Traffic Crimes - Reckless Driving - Aggravated Speeding - Driving on Suspended License - Texting and Driving - Construction Zone Violations - School Zone Violations - CDL Violations - Theft - Retail Theft - Robbery - Grand Theft Auto - Juvenile Crimes - Arson Crimes - Probation Violations - Expungement
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