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Recent Blog Posts
I Was Charged with Theft; Could I Go to Prison?
Theft is a serious crime in the state of Illinois, and it carries severe consequences for those who are convicted of it. Theft can be defined as taking another person's property without permission. The severity of the punishment for theft depends on several factors, including the value of the property stolen, the type of property stolen, and the circumstances surrounding the theft.
Today, we will look at important considerations if you are ever charged with theft. Make no mistake: theft is a crime that can upend one's life if convicted. To help prevent a detrimental conviction, consider contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney who will passionately defend your rights as you fight to defend yourself and move on with your life.
What Crimes Constitute Theft?
In Illinois, theft can include a variety of crimes, such as robbery, larceny, burglary, embezzlement, and more. Robbery, for example, involves taking property from another person through the use of force or threat of force. In contrast, burglary involves breaking into a building with the intent to commit theft. Embezzlement consists of the theft of property entrusted to someone, such as an employee stealing from their employer.
Weighing Your Options: What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Going to Trial in a Criminal Case?
Going to trial in a criminal defense case can be a complex and highly emotional decision for any defendant. On the one hand, the Constitution protects the right to a fair trial, and the opportunity to present evidence can be crucial in securing a favorable outcome. On the other hand, the process of going to trial can be notoriously time-consuming, costly, and can bring unwanted attention and uncertainty to the defendant as well as their family. In this blog, we will look at the benefits and drawbacks of going to trial in Illinois criminal defense cases to help you make an informed decision.
First, if you have been charged with a criminal act, do not hesitate to contact a distinguished criminal defense attorney who can work to ensure your rights are protected and respected and that a positive outcome is pursued in your case.
Benefits of Going to Trial
The thought of going to trial may seem frightening to most people. But what are the benefits of deciding on going to trial? Benefits include the following:
What to Know About First-Time DUI in Illinois
Even as a first offense, a DUI charge is not something to take lightly. It is true that first-time DUI offenses used to be considered little more than a serious traffic violation. However, this is no longer the case. Now, not only is a DUI charge one of the more severe misdemeanors someone can commit, but they are also sometimes even charged as felonies if certain aggravating factors are present in the situation.
It may come as a surprise that the total cost of a first-time DUI, when taking into account both direct and indirect costs, amounts to a whopping $17,000. This is why if you are arrested on a first-time DUI, it is essential you retain the services of a knowledgeable DUI attorney. Doing so will place you in the best position possible to avoid a conviction and move on with your life.
What Are the Penalties for First-Time DUI in Arlington Heights?
When someone is convicted of a first-offense DUI, the offender may be subject to up to 12 months in prison and a fine of $2,500. It is important to note that the $2,500 does not include court costs, probation fees, or other related costs. The true indirect cost of a DUI is found in the increase in car insurance rates, which can increase by nearly 50 percent in the years following a DUI.
What Kind of Evidence May Be Included in a Distracted Driving Case?
Unquestionably, our lives are becoming more and more digitized every day. While devices like smartphones and smartwatches have made us more interconnected with each other than ever before, these types of devices undoubtedly have made our lives more complicated, especially when it comes to cases of distracted driving. Many of us have experienced the temptation of checking a text message while driving. Unfortunately, what begins as responding to a text message while driving can quickly result in getting pulled over for a distracted driving traffic violation.
In this blog, we will delve deeper into the law regarding distracted driving in Illinois, and what types of evidence may be used in a distracted driving case to prove the alleged offender was driving distracted. If you have received a traffic violation for distracted driving caused by your cell phone and are interested in contesting your ticket in court, consider contacting an experienced traffic attorney who will protect your rights and inform you of your options moving forward.
What to Know About the Illinois Diversion Program for Drug Crime Defendants
In recent years, the societal conversation regarding drug use has changed. The focus has shifted from how best to punish drug crime offenders to how best to rehabilitate drug crime offenders. For example, in years past, if you were convicted of a drug crime such as drug possession, where you were found guilty of possessing an illicit drug other than cannabis, you would likely be facing the possibility of a life-shattering felony conviction. Today, however, Illinois courts acknowledge that most people caught with small amounts of drugs are not big-time drug traffickers but instead regular people who made a mistake. To prevent ordinary people from becoming drug crime felons, Illinois instituted a diversion program to help regular people avoid drug-related convictions.
If you are a first-time drug crime offender, you are likely eligible for Illinois’s diversion program. Contacting a knowledgeable Illinois drug crime attorney is an excellent first step to seeing whether you are eligible.
Understanding the Consequences of Driving with a Suspended License
For many of us, driving is a fundamental part of everyday life. Whether driving to the grocery store, driving to work, or picking your child up from school, it can be hard to imagine life without driving. Driving has become so ingrained in our society that we often forget that it is a privilege that we get to drive, not a right. Unfortunately, there are scenarios where someone may break the law, such as through a DUI charge, which can result in a license suspension.
Once someone's license gets suspended, that person must tread very carefully. It is critical to remember that if you choose to drive with a suspended license, the penalties and fines associated with such behavior will become increasingly severe. In this blog, we will take a deep dive into the associated penalties for driving with a suspended license. It cannot be emphasized enough that if you have been arrested for such an offense, consider contacting an experienced driver's license suspension attorney who will work to protect your rights and pursue a positive outcome in your case.
Different Ways Your DUI Case May Not Result in a Guilty Verdict
Make no mistake: being convicted of a DUI can have life-shattering consequences. Steep fines and a possible jail sentence are only the beginning. Many who are convicted of a DUI face immense socioeconomic challenges as well as difficulties in their personal life. Unfortunately, there is often a notion that when someone is charged with DUI, it is a foregone conclusion that they will be convicted. However, this is not necessarily the case.
It is possible to beat a DUI charge. However, doing so will require you tp first hire an experienced DUI attorney to ensure your rights remain protected and that your best interests are at the forefront of all decisions made. Experience is critical when it comes to DUI cases, as is an attorney who has worked DUI cases before and is aware of the different defenses and strategies that can help individuals accused of DUI beat the charge. In this blog, we will look at what legal tools can be implemented to help dismiss a charge of DUI.
Why Are People Found Guilty of Crimes They Did Not Commit?
Being accused of a felony or misdemeanor you did not commit is a nightmarish scenario for many people. Moreover, being charged or even convicted for such a crime is an even bigger nightmare. While the United States has safeguards in the legal system such as “beyond a reasonable doubt,” unfortunately, people are still found guilty, or sometimes plead guilty, for crimes they did not commit. How could this be?
There are many reasons why people are found guilty of crimes they did not commit. In this blog, we will delve deeper into some of those reasons. At the outset, if you have been charged with a crime, your best chance for circumventing a wrongful conviction is to hire a highly competent criminal defense attorney who will protect your rights and fight to exonerate you.
Why Would Someone Plead Guilty to a Crime They Did Not Commit?
It may sound like lunacy, the idea that someone would ever plead guilty to something they did not do, especially since criminal convictions can devastate one’s life and career. Yet, people plead guilty to crimes they did not commit all the time. A few reasons why innocent people plead guilty to crimes include the following:
Understanding the Penalties for Theft Charges This Holiday Season
The holidays are here; for many, this time of the year is a beautiful time to spend with family and friends. However, while this is a happy time for many, it is also a busy time of the year for law enforcement. As stores swell with crowds of enthusiastic and impatient shoppers, it is not uncommon for theft to spike during this time of the year. Whether it be due to overcrowded stores, a case of overzealous shoppers or someone simply swiping a package off someone’s front porch, law enforcement in Illinois is on the lookout for theft of all kinds as Christmas and the holiday season draws near.
Being charged with theft can ruin your holiday season and follow you long after the holidays have ended. If you have been charged with theft, consider contacting an experienced Illinois criminal defense attorney who ensures your rights are protected while helping you pursue the most favorable outcome possible in your case.
Understanding Multiple DUIs and Felony DUIs in Illinois
As is true with the vast majority of the country, Illinois takes DUIs very seriously. This is mainly because when someone drives under the influence of alcohol, they endanger themselves and everyone around them. The criminal consequences of one DUI are dire enough, but what happens if you get arrested more than once or twice for a DUI? Or worse, what if you get a DUI and, in the process, someone gets hurt or killed? Unfortunately, these types of DUI rise to the level of felony DUI.
A felony DUI can have a devastating impact on your life. If you have been arrested for a felony DUI, understand that your freedom is in jeopardy because if you are convicted, you may be subject to lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines. Contact an experienced felony DUI lawyer who will tirelessly defend your rights and do everything possible to keep you out of prison.
CALL US TODAY AT 847-253-3400 FOR A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
Client accused of burglary was acquitted due to our skillful cross examination of eye witness identification.
Client accused of causing the death of another while driving under the influence - Acquitted.
Client accused of first degree murder - Acquitted.
Client accused of embezzlement - Charges never filed.
Hundreds of Secretary of State hearings for Drivers License Reinstatement - Won.
121 S. Wilke, Suite 301, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
847-253-3400
