Month: March 2019
What is Considered an Unlawful Vehicle Search by Police?
In the United States, certain limitations are placed on how and when police can search a person’s private property. The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that citizens have the right “to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures” and that no search warrants should be issued “but upon
Types of Driver Distractions and Consequences for Distracted Driving
There has been much research conducted on the ability and effectiveness of humans when they multitask. Though many people still say they are good at multitasking, the consensus is that humans cannot multitask efficiently. We often make mistakes when we multitask and we have to go back to figure out what other task we were
Truck Drivers at Risk of Arrest as Police Cannot Differentiate Legal Hemp from Illegal Marijuana
Law enforcement officials across the country are struggling to adapt to the provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill that differentiated hemp, now an agricultural commodity, from marijuana, which remains a Schedule 1 controlled substance. The Farm Bill legalized the regulated production of hemp as well as the interstate transport of hemp. As a result of police confusion,
When is Theft Considered a Felony in Illinois?
Shoplifting is often seen as a minor criminal offense by the general public. Many adults remember attempting to steal a candy bar as a child or know somebody who has swiped a lipstick or two from a drug store. These instances of theft may seem harmless, but stealing is not a victimless crime. Retail stores are constantly
Is a Medical Condition or Act of God a Valid DUI Defense?
If you have been charged aggravated driving under the influence (DUI) because you caused an accident in which other people were seriously were seriously injured, you may feel there are extenuating circumstances that should be considered in your case. Whenever there are unusual circumstances in a legal case, it may be worth taking the case to trial
Chemical Blood Alcohol Content Tests
If you have ever been pulled over on suspicion o f driving under the influence (DUI) then you may have had experience with a breathalyzer. Technically, the term “breathalyzer” is a brand name for a specific type of breath alcohol test, but the word is also used to refer to generic devices for estimating blood alcohol content
Proposed Illinois Bill Aims to Tighten Gun Laws in Wake of Recent Shooting
One of the most well-known mass shootings in the United States happened at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado in 1999. Two teenage boys managed to kill 13 people and injure more than 20 others before they shot themselves. Since then, there have been dozens upon dozens of mass shootings, killing hundreds of people and
Can Illinois Police Still Seize Assets Used in Crimes?
Both the state of Illinois and the U.S. Supreme Court have taken action recently to protect citizens from the unreasonable seizure of personal property allegedly used in the commission of or obtained with the profits of criminal activities such as drug possession and sales. The Illinois law took effect July 1, 2018, while the U.S. Supreme
Is CBD Oil Legal for Everyone in Illinois in 2019?
Thanks to a new federal law that took effect in December 2018, hemp has been officially removed from the federal controlled substances list. This means that you no longer need to worry about being charged with illegal drug possession for using cannabidiol (CBD) oil made from hemp in Illinois nor in any other state in the US.
How Can Illinois’ Driver’s License Points System Lead to a License Suspension or Revocation?
Contrary to what some people may believe, driving is very much a privilege and not a right. There are actually quite a few ways in which an Illinois driver can lose his or her driving privileges in Illinois. Not paying child support, being convicted of DUI, not obeying a court summons, and not paying traffic