Month: December 2017
Should I Refuse a Breathalyzer Test?
When a person is stopped by a police officer on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol , the officer may ask him or her to take a breath, blood, or urine test. Often, a field sobriety test and breath test are used during traffic stops to determine whether the driver’s blood alcohol content is above
Recovering Evidence in a Criminal Defense Case
Evidence is a very important variable when it comes to nearly any investigation and criminal defense strategy . Sometimes a lack of evidence is what helps a defendant win their case, while in other situations, evidence is exactly what you need to protect your freedom. It is interesting to see the lengths to which some will go
Juvenile Defendants and Jury Trials
Having the option of being tried in court before a jury of one’s peers is a right our country’s justice system guarantees. However, in most cases involving juvenile crime, the opportunity to seek a jury trial is not offered in Illinois. This policy was recently upheld by the state’s Supreme Court. First Time Offenders In Illinois, the rules
Holiday Season Causes Uptick in Shoplifting
Shoplifting can be detrimental to business owners, as billions of dollars’ worth of merchandise are stolen from retail stores every year. Often, the holiday season is the time of year when shoplifting is especially problematic. In a season that lasts just over a month, shoplifters cost retail stores approximately $6 billion. The toll is especially hard
No Fence Neighborhoods. Know Before You Buy.
“Why can’t I have a fence around my property? The village said it is OK!” As a real estate attorney for over 13 years, this has been the question I have been asked more than any other question in my career. I am always asked this question after a purchase has closed, and the new
What Are The Most Common Traffic Violations
Traffic violations Traffic violations are a common reason for getting pulled over by the police. In fact, most drivers have been pulled over at least once in their lives. It can be easy for us as drivers to be comfortable bending the rules a bit and many drivers admit to practicing dangerous behaviors on the road
The Illinois TRUST Act Protects Immigrants Who Interact With Police
While city and state officials across the country work to create laws aimed at helping undocumented immigrants remain in the United States, the State of Illinois passed legislation aimed at easing fears of deportation for illegal immigrants arrested locally. Although they may still need to appear in court for traffic violations or other minor offenses , the threat of
Illinois Juvenile Correctional Facilities Undergoing Reforms
Young people often make poor decisions, and this can result in them running afoul of law enforcement. In a worst-case scenario, a juvenile offender must serve time one of Illinois’ five juvenile detention facilities, and this experience is likely to have a major impact on the rest of their lives. Lately, however, state officials have begun studying
Chicago Police Receive Body Cameras
The Chicago Police Department has been under intense scrutiny for decades. During the 1968 Democratic National Convention Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley and the Chicago Police Department were accused of treating Vietnam war protesters inhumanely and using excessive force to control them. Time Magazine said of the several-day event, “With billy clubs, tear gas and Mace, the
What Business Owners Need to Know About a Triple Net Lease
In the commercial real estate world, the triple net lease is a common type of agreement between landlords and tenants, especially for retail and multi-tenant industrial properties. In a triple net lease, most of the expenses related to the operation of the property are the responsibility of the tenant. The following are some things to keep in mind