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Recent Blog Posts
What Is Bail, and How Does it Work in Illinois Criminal Cases?
Being arrested for a crime can be a very traumatic experience. When you are arrested, you are handcuffed by the police officer and taken to be processed and held in jail. Your first thought when you land in jail might be, “How can I get out?” Usually, the quickest way to do that is to have a friend or family member post bail for you. Typically, weeks or even months can pass between your initial arrest and the disposition of your sentence. Posting bail allows you to be released from custody and go about your normal life until you are requested to appear back in court. It is important to understand how the bail process works in case you or your loved one is ever facing criminal charges in Illinois.
How Is Bail Set?
Depending on the type of crime, you might be allowed to post bail the same night you are arrested. For offenses that are more serious, such as violent crimes, you may be required to remain in custody until you attend a bail hearing before a judge. During this hearing, the judge will determine whether or not you are eligible for bail and at what amount your bail should be set. Judges use a variety of factors to determine whether you should be eligible for bail, including the seriousness of the alleged offense, the risk that you may attempt to flee before your case can be heard in court, and the safety risks that you may pose to other individuals or the community.
What Are the Laws Regarding Drug Possession in Illinois?
There are a variety of drug-related crimes that you can be charged with, including manufacturing, selling, and distributing illegal substances. These tend to be some of the most strictly punished drug crimes in Illinois. However, what some people may not realize is that you can also be charged with simply possessing an illicit substance. Having a drug charge conviction on your criminal record could cause problems in the future, especially when it comes to landing a job or renting an apartment. Drug laws can be complicated, which is why you should seek professional legal help from an Illinois criminal defense attorney if you are facing drug possession charges.
Consequences for Drug Possession Charges
Like nearly every other state, the seriousness of a possession charge in Illinois depends on the type of substance and the amount possessed. The severity of the charge can also be impacted by whether or not you had the intent to distribute the drugs and whether or not you have prior drug-related offenses.
How Can an Order of Protection Issued Against Me Affect My Life?
Domestic violence is something that is taken very seriously in today’s world. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, more than 12 million people are victims of domestic violence each year. Being accused of domestic abuse can have a serious impact on your life. Under Illinois law, there are a number of solutions offered to family violence victims so that they can remain safe from harm. If you have been accused of domestic violence, and an order of protection (also known as a restraining order) has been issued against you, it is important to understand how what you can and cannot do, and you should be aware of the possible consequences for violating this type of order. In some cases, a restraining order may be based on false allegations. Regardless of the circumstances of your case, an experienced criminal defense attorney can advocate on your behalf to clear your record and your reputation.
What Are the Consequences for Common Underage Alcohol-Related Crimes?
Alcohol is a common source of trouble for teens. Underage drinking is fairly typical in the United States, but it can result in significant criminal charges and even life-threatening problems. For young adults, unintentional injuries are the most common cause of death, with the majority of those injuries related to car accidents. When you add alcohol use into the mix, the likelihood of a vehicle crash is even higher. This is why the laws pertaining to underage drinking and alcohol possession are so strict and carry such serious consequences. Teens and underage young adults can face severe punishments for violating certain alcohol-related offenses, including driving under the influence (DUI).
Underage Drinking
You must be 21 or older to legally purchase or consume alcohol in the United States. If you are under the age of 21, you are not permitted to consume alcohol, or you could be charged with underage drinking. If you are convicted of underage drinking, you face a six-month driver's license suspension, unless you were sentenced to court supervision, in which case you face a three-month driver’s license suspension. A second conviction may result in a one-year suspension, and further convictions can result in a revocation.
3 Reasons to Hire an Illinois Criminal Defense Attorney for Your Case
If you have ever experienced a brush with the law or been arrested, it is likely you have spoken with a criminal defense attorney in your lifetime. These lawyers are arguably one of the most important people involved in any case. The right to a defense is so important to the American way of life that it was even included in the United States Constitution. The law states that any person accused of a crime will be assigned an attorney if he or she cannot afford one. Although you are not technically required to have legal representation when you face criminal charges, having an attorney by your side can dramatically increase the chances that your case will result in a favorable ending.
Why Seeking Legal Representation Is Important
The legal principle that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty is an inherent right to every U.S. citizen. However, it is essential to have legal counsel to protect your rights in a courtroom for the following reasons:
What Are the Penalties for Driving on a Suspended License in Illinois?
For most Americans, having the ability to drive is a necessity, rather than a privilege. Even doing normal, everyday things such as taking children to school or running to the grocery store involves driving. Illinois laws provide for multiple reasons as to why a person could lose their driving privileges. Some violations are unrelated to driving, such as failing to pay child support or appear in court, while most deal with some sort of driving-related infraction. For the most part, the most common way people lose their driving privileges is by being arrested or convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol. That is why it is crucial to fully understand the consequences of these types of crimes in order to avoid further punishments.
Losing Your Driving Privileges
3 Common Mistakes To Avoid During a DUI Traffic Stop in Illinois
If you are a driver, there is a good chance you will be pulled over by law enforcement for some reason during your lifetime. If you have ever been stopped by the police, you know the feelings of anxiety and fear that can manifest because of those flashing red and blue lights. Being pulled over because an officer suspects you are driving under the influence (DUI) is even more serious. DUI offenses are not taken lightly in the state of Illinois, and a conviction for a first offense could result in steep fines, the suspension or revocation of your driver's license, and even jail time. Although the uncertainty of a DUI traffic stop can be very intimidating, what you do after being pulled over can greatly impact your case. Below are a few common mistakes that people make after being pulled over on suspicion of DUI:
Can I Face Charges for Disobeying Quarantine Orders for Coronavirus?
Since January, the world has seen an exponential rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. As of March 23, there were nearly 335,000 confirmed cases reported around the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). We still do not know everything that we need to know about COVID-19, a new virus that has emerged from the coronavirus family. What we do know is that most people are recovering from the virus, although individuals who have underlying health conditions or who are over the age of 65 have a higher mortality rate.
One thing we do know is that COVID-19 is spreading rapidly through person-to-person contact. So far, the only effective way to stop the spread is to practice social distancing if you do not have the virus, quarantine yourself if you believe you may have come into contact with someone who does have the virus, and isolate yourself if you are confirmed to have the virus. In Illinois, if you are given specific quarantine orders, you must obey them, or you risk potential criminal charges.
What Are the Illinois Laws for Concealed Carry of Firearms?
According to the United States Constitution, every American has the right to own a firearm, as per the Second Amendment. Although we have this right, states are allowed to place certain restrictions and limitations on firearm users. This is accomplished by creating laws that apply to the purchase, ownership, and possession of firearms. The state of Illinois is notorious for having rather strict gun laws compared to other states. For example, you are not permitted to openly carry a firearm in the state of Illinois, as all firearms must be concealed from view if you wish to carry them. In addition, if you want to conceal your firearm to carry it in public, you must obtain an Illinois concealed carry license (CCL) to do so. Violations of these laws could result in misdemeanor or felony charges.
Obtaining an Illinois CCL
Harvey Weinstein Sexual Assault Case Results in Criminal Conviction
In 2017, The New York Times published a story detailing accounts of sexual harassment allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. The case has been closely followed for the past three years as numerous charges were brought against Weinstein for various instances of alleged rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. In January of 2020, the trial against Weinstein began in New York, and it came to a close in late February, with the jury delivering a guilty verdict. Those who are familiar with this case may wonder how Illinois’ laws address accusations of sex crimes.
Weinstein Convicted of Criminal Sexual Assault and Rape
After the initial accusations brought against Weinstein by actresses Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan, more women came forth to make claims that they had also suffered sexual assaults by Weinstein. While dozens of women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, he faced two counts of predatory sexual assault, one count of first-degree rape, one count of third-degree rape, and one count of a criminal sexual act in the first degree. After five days of deliberation, Weinstein was convicted of third-degree rape and a criminal sexual act in the first degree. He was subsequently sentenced to 23 years in prison.
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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.
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