How to Defend Against an Assault Charge
When a person faces assault charges, they may not know what to do. They may wonder if they are going to jail. They may not understand what assault means. People hear “assault and battery” all the time and may think that the words are interchangeable. However, the two actions are legally different. In its simplest...
Read MoreWhat Qualifies as Drug Paraphernalia?
While one may face charges for the possession of drugs, the possession of drug paraphernalia is also a crime punishable by several different penalties. While many items may be considered drug paraphernalia, common examples include bongs, roach clips, and syringes. Because these items are often used in conjunction with illegal substances, being caught in possession...
Read MoreHow to Avoid DUIs During the Holidays
As the weather gets colder and the seasons change, gatherings of friends and family members become all the more frequent. These times with our loved ones can be a good chance to engage in our favorite holiday traditions, some of which may include drinking alcohol. While these gatherings may be completely innocent, driving under the...
Read MoreI Think A Police Robot Just Scanned My License Plate!
If the police in Chicago or elsewhere want to ask you some questions, pull your car over or search your home, they’re going to need either a reasonable suspicion or what is called “probable cause” (depending on the circumstances) in order to do so. That’s because the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees all...
Read MoreCan Police Force Me to Give Blood, Breath or Urine When Arrested for DUI?
Illinois is one of only a handful of states that has expanded the ability of police to obtain certain scientific evidence even when the accused does not consent or is incapable of consent. What Does Implied Consent Mean? Implied Consent means that when you ask for and receive a driver’s license in Illinois, it is...
Read MoreWill an Illinois Expungement Erase my Whole Criminal History?
Once upon a time in America, there was no such thing as the internet! I know, right? It didn’t come into common use until the 1990s. Until then, people went to libraries when they needed to get the answer to something, no one had a “smart phone” or any type of cell phone and there was...
Read MoreLiar, Liar, Pants on Fire! Can Chicago Police Lie to Children?
Remember when you were a child? There were just a couple important rules that every child needed to follow to avoid being punished. If you followed these rules and were good, you might get a treat. On the other hand, if you acted out or were disobedient, punishment was sure to follow. Ever since the...
Read MoreCannabis Laws in Chicago and Across Illinois
Weed became legal in Illinois when the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act was signed into law on June 25, 2019. The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act made cannabis legal for adults 21 years or older beginning on January 1, 2020. However, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act did not completely legalize the possession and use...
Read MoreNew Illinois Law Affects Driver’s Licenses, Police, Bail and Criminal Cases
Known as the “SAFE-T Act”, (for Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity), the Illinois Senate and House passed a wide-ranging criminal justice reform Act earlier this year which has just now taken effect. Among the highlights of this new Act are included: Driver’s License Traffic Suspension Relief For years, there has been a public outcry that...
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