Judge pleads not guilty to DUI, resisting arrest

Circuit Judge David Hall pleaded not guilty Wednesday to DUI and resisting arrest charges.

The hearing before Kane County Judge F. Keith Brown marked the first court appearance for Hall, 55, who was arrested April 26 by Vernon Hills police.

At the time of his arrest, Hall was the chief judge in Lake County, but he resigned that post later in the week. Circuit Judge James Booras was appointed to replace him.

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Hall was stopped at 1:45 a.m. on Route 60 in Vernon Hills. Police said he was pepper-sprayed when he refused to get out of his car.

He was taken to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville after the arrest and treated for 15 hours for an irregular heart beat.

Brown gave Assistant Attorney General William Elward documents pertaining to Hall's treatment that prosecutors had subpoenaed.

But Hall's attorneys, Jason Mercure and Douglas Zeit, indicated they may challenge the prosecutors' right to use those medical records as evidence against Hall.

"There are privacy considerations with medical records," Mercure said. "We are going to have to see what is in there and decide if we have a problem with that."

Brown told Hall he faces up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine if convicted of either crime and could be fined up to $500 if convicted of improper lane use.

The state Supreme Court appointed Brown to hear the case against Hall to avoid any conflict with a Lake County judge.

Lake County State's Attorney Michael Waller also asked the state attorney general's office to prosecute the case, also to avoid conflict.

Hall remains a judge and is performing administrative duties. He is scheduled to appear in court June 11.