Posted on May 08, 2019 in Sex Crimes

Some of the most serious and damaging crimes a person can be accused of are sex crimes. Sex crimes are taken very seriously by law enforcement and the courts. Convictions for certain sex crimes in Illinois require registration as a sex offender, which brings with it numerous restrictions and requirements. If you have been charged with a sex crime, it is imperative that you understand the ramifications a conviction could bring, and that you secure experienced legal representation immediately.

Who Must Register as a Sex Offender?

According to the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act, individuals convicted of a sex crime, found not guilty by reason of insanity, the subject of a finding not resulting in an acquittal, or adjudicated as being sexually dangerous or violent, are required to register as a sex offender. Common offenses that require sex offender registration include:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 24, 2019 in DUI and Breath Alcohol Tests

One of the most common criminal charges in the United States is a DUI. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have shown that 11,000 deaths resulting from traffic accidents also involved an alcohol-impaired driver. In Illinois alone, more than 400 deaths occur each year from drunk driving. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is dangerous, and the punishment for doing so can be severe. Most DUI situations involve misdemeanor charges, but those charges can quickly escalate to felony charges under certain circumstances.

First-Offense DUI Penalties

Under Illinois law, a first offense for a DUI is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, the highest classification for a misdemeanor. If a person is convicted of DUI and has no prior DUI charges, he or she will still face up to one year in jail, up to $2,500 in fines and up to two years of probation. Additionally, a first-time DUI offender may also be subject to mandatory minimum penalties and community service.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 18, 2019 in Criminal Law

In the United States, violent crime is not uncommon. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there were more than 1.2 million violent crimes reported in the country in 2017. In Illinois alone, there were an estimated 56,000 incidences of violent crime that year. The state of Illinois defines violent crime as any felony crime that involves the use of force or the threat of force against the victim, or any misdemeanor crime in which death or great bodily harm comes to the victim.

Violent crime is taken extremely seriously and penalties for a conviction are severe. If you are charged with a violent crime, it is important you understand the potential consequences, and that you speak with a skilled criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Types of Violent Crime

In Illinois, there are numerous offenses that fall into the category of violent crimes. Here are the most common violent crimes in Illinois and the consequences for committing them:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 09, 2019 in DUI

Being charged with a DUI is an extremely serious situation that can result in severe consequences. In the state of Illinois, DUI is considered to be a major offense and most judges and law enforcement officers do not sympathize with those accused of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. DUI offenders are often punished to the fullest extent of the law, especially when the offender has a history of DUI. Even if you are a first-time DUI offender, you could face jail time, fines, and a driver’s license suspension for a conviction, but a knowledgeable Illinois DUI defense lawyer can help.

Common DUI Defense Strategies

There are numerous ways an attorney can defend you against a DUI charge. Through an initial consultation and subsequent investigation, your lawyer can determine the best course of action. Here are a few common defense strategies:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 02, 2019 in Criminal Law

There are many consequences that can come with breaking the law. Depending on the crime, you could face community service, probation, fines, restitution, and in some cases, jail time. Another consequence of certain crimes can be asset forfeiture, where the government takes your belongings if they believe they are connected to a crime. This can be problematic, especially if you are innocent of the charges you face. 

Both the state and the federal government can seize assets if they believe they were acquired in illegal ways. According to the Illinois State Police and the U.S. Department of Justice, the state of Illinois has taken more than $319 million in assets from citizens since 2005, while the federal government has seized more than $404 million during the same period. If you are facing a seizure of your assets, it is important to have a criminal defense attorney by your side who will fight for you.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 26, 2019 in Criminal Law

While all assault and battery charges are serious, charges and punishments can become even harsher when the alleged assault and/or battery occurs between people in a domestic relationship. Being accused of domestic battery is extremely serious and can result in extensive jail time and expensive fines. It is also often used to leverage favorable decisions in child custody or other matters in contentious divorce proceedings.

Domestic Battery Laws in Illinois

The Illinois Penal Code states domestic battery occurs when a person knowingly and unlawfully causes bodily harm or makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature to a family or household member. It is important to note that the crime must be committed against a family or household member, or it cannot be considered domestic battery. According to the state of Illinois, family or household members include:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 19, 2019 in Felonies & Misdemeanors

Appearing in court can feel like you are back in high school, everyone looking at you, scrutinizing your every move and word, and judging your appearance and behavior. Unlike in high school, where a misstep might make you a temporary laughingstock, one wrong move in the courtroom can leave you with a potentially devastating outcome. 

When you are in court, the judge, the opposing attorney or prosecutor, and the jury are all judging your appearance and examining your behavior to determine your credibility. Here are a few tips to help you be at your best when you have a criminal court hearing:

1. Always Arrive Early

First impressions are everything. Nobody is going to take you seriously if you burst into the courtroom late. Sometimes a judge will not even permit you to attend your trial if you are late and it will have to be rescheduled. Make sure you leave your residence with plenty of time to arrive at least 15 minutes early.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 12, 2019 in Criminal Law

We have all probably heard the phrase “assault and battery” at some point in our lives. This phrase is used so often that the terms assault and battery tend to be used interchangeably, even though they are different legal concepts that carry different consequences. In Illinois, there are also offenses such as aggravated assault and aggravated battery, which consist of different actions and typically carry more serious punishments. 

If you face an assault or battery charge, understanding the offense and its penalties is the first step in building a solid defense with the help of a skilled criminal defense lawyer.

Assault Charges

Illinois law says a person commits assault when he or she knowingly engages in conduct that gives a person reason to fear bodily harm. Assault is a Class C misdemeanor in Illinois, which means you face up to 30 days in jail and $1,500 in fines.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 05, 2019 in DUI

Over the years, states and national organizations have focused on preventing people from drinking and driving. Multiple ad campaigns have been launched telling people “friends do not let friends drive drunk,” and “buzzed driving is drunk driving.” Still, alcohol is not the only intoxicating substance that DUI laws cover. 

In the state of Illinois, citizens are not permitted to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any combination of the two while they are in physical control of a motor vehicle. With the legalization of recreational marijuana in many states and the permittance of medical marijuana in a majority of states, driving under the influence of marijuana has become more prevalent.

Medical Marijuana in Illinois

Since 2014, Illinois residents have had access to medical marijuana as long as they have a written recommendation from a doctor and they obtain a medical marijuana ID card from the Illinois Department of Public Health. There are 41 ailments that qualify for a medical marijuana card, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and seizures. Medical marijuana cardholders are allowed to have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in the vehicle with them as long as the marijuana is in a sealed container. Even if marijuana is medically prescribed, you are not permitted to be under the influence of cannabis while you are operating a motor vehicle.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on February 25, 2019 in Traffic Violations

Many people think speeding is not that big a deal. While certain speeding offenses are only charged as minor traffic violations, in some cases, speeding can become a significant misdemeanor offense. While other drivers may zoom by you on the expressway, maintaining a reasonable speed keeps you, your passengers, and other drivers safer.

In Illinois, when your speed reaches a certain number of miles per hour over the posted speed limit, it can be considered aggravated speeding, which is a serious crime in Illinois. If you face charges of aggravated speeding, it is important you understand the charges and their potential consequences.

Illinois Speeding Laws

Current Illinois speeding laws define aggravated speeding as going 26 mph or more over the posted speed limit. These charges are more serious than a regular speeding violation and can carry consequences that are more severe than a normal speeding ticket. Aggravated speeding charges are classified by how far over the speed limit you are driving.

Continue Reading ››