Month: April 2019
Possible Defenses Against Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Charges
Across the country, police officers are cracking down on drunk driving. In 2016 alone, over 1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or narcotics. If you have been charged with a DUI in Illinois, you may be unsure of what to do next. The penalties for a drunk driving conviction vary depending on
Four Things You Should Know if You Are Arrested in Illinois
Police officers are supposed to be people whom we go to when we need help or protection. Despite that, most people still get nervous when in the presence of authorities such as the police. Even if you did not do anything wrong, many people get anxious if a police officer stops them. Resisting a police
Understanding Your Miranda Rights
If you have ever been arrested, or even just watched a television show about police, you have probably heard the Miranda Warning. The Miranda Warning, or Miranda Rights, is a notification given by police to individuals suspected of a crime. Anyone who is in police custody or a custodial interrogation must be advised of their
Swatting – False 911 Calls Have Serious Consequences
The making of false 911 calls purposely intended to mobilize an armed police SWAT team has become a frightening trend in the U.S. The estimated number of “swatting” incidents has more than doubled since 2011, according to one former FBI agent. Someone who commits the crime of swatting will face severe consequences ranging from a
Understanding Illinois Domestic Battery Charges
In recent years, states across the country have placed an increased focus on domestic violence and how it is prosecuted. Because of the serious and often secretive nature of domestic violence, there has been much effort put into preventing domestic violence from occurring and appropriately punishing offenders. In the state of Illinois, domestic violence is
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in Illinois
In order to help prevent gun violence, Illinois state requires any resident who wishes to own a gun or ammunition to obtain a Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID card). These cards are issued to qualified applicants by the Illinois State Police. There are several exceptions to this requirement, including certain exceptions for members of the Armed
DUI with a Child Passenger Carries Harsh Penalties – Possible Felony Charges
One out of every five children who dies in a fatal car crash is killed by a drunk driver. When you read that statistic, did you assume the child was riding in a car that was struck by the drunk driver? Or, that the child was a passenger in the drunk driver’s car? In 2017, 54%
Diversion Programs Offer Hope to Illinois Juvenile Offenders
Unfortunately, even good people sometimes get caught up in the criminal justice system. If you have a son or daughter who has been charged with a crime, you may be filled with questions such as “Will my child have to serve time?” and “Are there alternative programs for juvenile offenders?” Fortunately, Illinois lawmakers understand that many
Illinois Retail Theft and Related Charges
One of the most common crimes in the United States is retail theft, and while it may seem like a victimless crime, it is not. According to the National Retail Federation, inventory shrinkage due to theft or shoplifting cost American retailers nearly $49 billion in 2016. Many retailers have made retail theft a priority of theirs
Illinois CCL Holders Use Concealed Carry Handguns in Self-Defense
Since Illinois legalized the concealed carry of handguns in 2014, there have been at least 40 shootings by concealed carry license (CCL) holders reported in the media. More than half of those shootings involved self-defense or defense of others in response to a crime in progress. A review of these cases provides useful insights to all firearm owners