One of the most confusing aspects of the law is the way in which certain words are used. In many instances, the legal definition of a word may be very different from its everyday meaning to the average person. The primary reason for this reality is that, under the law, words must be defined very

When you decide to get behind the wheel after you have been drinking, it is a losing situation for everyone involved. Most DUI charges will end up being a misdemeanor, albeit a very serious misdemeanor, but if you were charged with a DUI and a death resulted from that DUI, your charges will automatically be increased to

Gun laws are different from state to state, so it can be difficult to keep up with them. In Illinois, any person who is in possession of a firearm must also possess a firearm owner’s identification card (FOID), which verifies that the person may legally possess the firearm. You can get into serious trouble if

Do you take a prescription drug that can affect your ability to drive safely? If you do, be extra careful before you get behind the wheel of a car, because you could be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). If you cause a car crash that severely injures another person, you could be charged with

Two recent decisions by the Illinois Supreme Court have clarified the Fourth Amendment rights of Illinois citizens, specifically when the police use drug-detection dogs in multi-unit apartment buildings. This is important news for marijuana users and others who may be concerned about charges of illegal drug possession while partaking in occasional recreational use in the privacy of their home.

Alcohol and drug abuse not only cause human suffering, but also endanger public safety and place an added financial burden on our healthcare and criminal justice systems. Aiming to reduce these social and economic costs, the Illinois legislature passed the Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act (20 ILCS 301) in the 1990s. This law provides

According to the most recent data available from the Illinois Department of Corrections, which is dated from June of this year, there are more than 40,700 criminals currently in the Illinois prison system. One of the biggest reasons why the Illinois prison population has grown so dramatically over the past 30 years or so is because of

When an individual is accused of a crime, he or she is guaranteed certain rights. For example, if you are accused of driving under the influence (DUI) or being in possession of illegal drugs, you have the right to receive counsel from a qualified attorney. You also have the right to defend yourself against criminal charges

In some situations, you may have to commit an act of self-defense in order to protect yourself, others, or your property. An act of self-defense is usually an act of force that would, in other circumstances, be illegal. The state of Illinois recognizes that there are some situations in which you might need to use

When someone is arrested on criminal charges, they are typically held in in police custody until they are set to appear in court or until they are released on bail. Bail is a monetary amount that is usually set by the judge in accordance with laws and acts as a type of insurance that the person will appear