Is it Legal to Record Police on Your Cellphone in Chicago?
Over the last few years, phone recordings of police interactions have exploded across the media landscape, sometimes capturing murders or violent beatings by law enforcement. There is inherent value in these recordings, which can exonerate innocent people and shed light on illegal practices within the police force. While you do have the right to record...
Read MoreNew Illinois Laws for 2019: What You Need to Know
The last two years were busy and productive for Illinois legislators, who reportedly filed over 9,600 pieces of legislation. Out of those filings, 253 new laws are taking effect this year, from child car seat rules to active shooter drills. There are also a slew of new criminal laws for 2019 that could affect your...
Read MoreMisdemeanor vs. Felony Crimes in Chicago
In Illinois, misdemeanors are crimes that are punishable by less than a year in jail. Crimes that are punishable with sentences of more than a year in the penitentiary are called felonies. There is often more flexibility in sentencing and possible plea negotiations for misdemeanors, but our attorneys have been able to achieve successful results...
Read MoreCommon Domestic Violence Defenses
There are many types of domestic violence that can be litigated in court, including physical, verbal or sexual abuse, intimidation, harassment, and interference with personal liberty. If you are accused of acting aggressively or physically harming another person, the state will attempt to prove the assault, battery or other domestic offense happened to a victim...
Read MoreUsing the Freedom Of Information Act to Get Information About Your Case
There may come a time when you find yourself in the middle of a legal battle requiring additional “protected” information that might support your case. In this instance, you may be able to get that support through the Freedom of Information Act. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) states, in part, that a person can...
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About Blue Light Cameras in Chicago
A Brief History of Chicago’s Blue Lights Some years ago, “Blue Light Cameras” (also known as Police Observation Devices or PODs) made their way into neighborhoods in the Chicago area. The system, at that time now known as Phase I, was designed to be used in some of the city’s hardest hit crime areas to...
Read MoreWhat to Know If You are Arrested for a DUI in Illinois
Over 29,500 DUI (Driving Under the Influence) arrests were recorded by the Illinois Secretary of State’s office in 2016. 92 percent of these arrests resulted in licensed drivers losing their driving privileges for a while. 86 percent of these cases were first-time offenders. A DUI can happen to anyone, and while a serious offense, the...
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know When Arrested for Underage Drinking in Cook County
Research conducted in 2018 from the Illinois Youth Survey revealed that 40 percent of 10th graders across the state and in Cook County admitted consuming alcohol at least once in the previous year. Fifty-seven percent of Cook County’s 12th-grade seniors also admitted to consuming alcohol at various points throughout the school year. If you or...
Read MoreTwo Things an Illinois Lawyer Can Do to Get Your License Restored after a DUI
The laws of the United States generally treat driving under the influence (DUI) with severity and Illinois is no exception. Even a first-time DUI offense can result in the arrestee receiving various legal punishment. Administrative penalties may likely include a suspension or even revocation of your driver’s license which may keep you off the road...
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