Posted on February 14, 2026 in Uncategorized

Personal injury accidents can devastate your life physically, financially, and emotionally, leaving you facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and uncertain recovery. Illinois law provides specific legal remedies allowing injured victims to recover compensation from parties whose negligence or wrongful conduct caused harm. As a Will County attorney with over 20 years of experience including my time as a former Will County prosecutor, I've represented hundreds of personal injury clients securing millions in compensation for injured victims. Understanding your legal rights after an injury is essential to protecting your ability to recover full compensation under Illinois personal injury law.

The Legal Foundation for Personal Injury Claims in Illinois

Illinois personal injury law is based primarily on negligence principles established in 740 ILCS 35/1, requiring injured plaintiffs to prove four essential elements. You must demonstrate the defendant owed you a legal duty of care based on the relationship or circumstances. You must show the defendant breached that duty through action or inaction falling below reasonable care standards. You must establish that the breach directly caused your injuries through proximate causation. You must prove you suffered actual damages including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, or permanent disability. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, barring recovery if you're more than 50 percent at fault while reducing awards proportionally for any contributory negligence below 50 percent. A jury finding you 30 percent responsible for an accident causing $100,000 in damages would reduce your recovery to $70,000.

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 Posted on February 06, 2026 in Drug Crimes

Drug possession charges in Will County carry serious consequences that many people don't fully understand until they're facing them. Whether you're caught with cocaine, heroin, prescription pills without a prescription, or illegal amounts of cannabis, Illinois law under 720 ILCS 570/402 imposes penalties ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies with decades in prison. As a Joliet criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience, including my time as a former Will County prosecutor, I've handled hundreds of drug possession cases. Understanding exactly what penalties you face and what defense strategies might work in your situation can make the difference between probation and years in prison.

Illinois Controlled Substances Act Overview

Illinois classifies controlled substances into schedules based on their potential for abuse and accepted medical use under 720 ILCS 570/204 through 570/212. Schedule I drugs have high abuse potential and no accepted medical use, including heroin, LSD, MDMA (ecstasy), and psilocybin mushrooms. Schedule II substances have high abuse potential but some medical use, including cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and many prescription opioids. The schedule classification directly determines your charge severity and potential penalties. Critically, under 720 ILCS 570/402, the State must prove you knowingly possessed the controlled substance. This knowledge requirement creates important defense opportunities that experienced attorneys exploit to get charges dismissed or reduced.

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 Posted on January 30, 2026 in Expungement & Record Sealing

A criminal record can linger like a shadow, hindering job opportunities, housing applications, and even personal relationships long after the legal matter is resolved—but expungement or sealing offers a path to a fresh start. As a Joliet criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience, including my time as a former Will County prosecutor, I've assisted countless clients in clearing their records through expungement (complete erasure) or sealing (hiding from public view), often transforming their futures by removing barriers tied to past arrests or minor convictions.

At the Law Office of Jack L. Zaremba, we navigate these processes with precision in Will County courts, especially with the new Clean Slate Act automating certain sealings starting in 2026. In this blog post, we'll explore eligibility under Illinois law, the step-by-step process, key benefits, and strategies to maximize success. For related topics, see our guides on Second Chance Probation in Illinois and Defending Against Drug Possession Charges .

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 Posted on January 24, 2026 in Drug Crimes

Drug possession charges in Illinois can stem from routine traffic stops, home searches, or anonymous tips, carrying severe legal and personal repercussions that can alter your future with a criminal record, fines, and potential incarceration. As a Joliet criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience, including my time as a former Will County prosecutor, I've defended numerous clients against possession of cannabis, cocaine, heroin, or prescription drugs without valid scripts, often securing dismissals, reductions to misdemeanors, or diversion programs to avoid convictions.

At the Law Office of Jack L. Zaremba, we handle these cases with meticulous evidence review and aggressive negotiation in Will County courts, where drug enforcement remains a priority. In this blog post, we'll explore what constitutes drug possession under Illinois law, the penalties, your rights, and effective defense strategies for 2026. For related topics, see our guides on Second Chance Probation in Illinois and Defending Against DUI Charges in Will County .

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 Posted on January 17, 2026 in Felonies

Probation violations in Illinois can turn a second chance into a serious setback, often leading to revoked probation, jail time, or escalated charges that affect your freedom, job, and record long-term. As a Joliet criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience, including my tenure as a former Will County prosecutor, I've helped numerous clients navigate probation violation allegations—whether for technical breaches like missed appointments or substantive issues like new offenses—frequently resulting in continued probation, modifications, or outright dismissals of the violation petition.

At the Law Office of Jack L. Zaremba, we approach these cases with thorough investigation and aggressive advocacy in Will County courts, where judges scrutinize compliance closely. In this blog post, we'll cover what constitutes a probation violation under Illinois law, the potential penalties, your rights during hearings, and effective defense strategies for 2026.

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 Posted on January 11, 2026 in Driver's License Reinstatement

Losing your driver's license after a DUI conviction or revocation can disrupt your life, affecting work, family responsibilities, and daily mobility. In Illinois, reinstatement hearings with the Secretary of State offer a path to regain driving privileges, but the process is complex and often requires compelling evidence of rehabilitation and low public safety risk. As a Joliet criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience, including my time as a former Will County prosecutor, I've successfully guided countless clients through these hearings, securing Restricted Driving Permits (RDPs) or full reinstatements to help them move forward.

At the Law Office of Jack L. Zaremba, we specialize in DUI-related license issues in Will County courts and administrative proceedings, where thorough preparation is key. In this blog post, we'll outline the DUI license reinstatement hearing process, requirements for 2026, common challenges, and effective strategies.

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 Posted on December 21, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Reckless driving charges in Illinois often arise from aggressive maneuvers, excessive speeding, or road rage incidents that endanger others, leading to criminal consequences that can disrupt your driving privileges, employment, and future opportunities. As a Joliet criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience, including my time as a former Will County prosecutor, I've successfully defended numerous clients facing reckless driving and aggravated reckless driving charges, frequently securing reductions, supervisions, or dismissals to minimize impact on their records and licenses. At the Law Office of Jack L. Zaremba, we aggressively handle these traffic-related criminal cases in Will County courts, where police discretion and dashcam evidence play major roles. In this blog post, we'll explore what qualifies as reckless driving under Illinois law, potential penalties, long-term effects, and proven defense approaches for 2025. For related guidance, see our post on aggravated fleeing charges .

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 Posted on December 14, 2025 in Domestic Violence

Domestic violence charges in Illinois can arise from heated arguments or misunderstandings, but they carry heavy emotional and legal consequences that can impact your family, job, and record forever. As a Joliet criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience, including my time as a former Will County prosecutor, I've defended countless clients against domestic battery, assault, and order of protection violations, often achieving dismissals or reductions to protect their rights and relationships.

At the Law Office of Jack L. Zaremba, we handle these sensitive cases with discretion and aggression in Will County courts, where family dynamics play a key role. In this blog post, we'll break down what constitutes domestic violence under Illinois law, penalties, your rights, and effective defense strategies for 2025.

What Constitutes Domestic Violence in Illinois?

Domestic violence encompasses offenses against family or household members (spouses, ex-spouses, dates, children, or cohabitants) under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act (750 ILCS 60). Key charges include:

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 Posted on November 30, 2025 in Theft

Theft charges in Illinois range from minor shoplifting to major felony cases, but all carry the risk of a criminal record, jail time, and lasting collateral consequences like employment barriers or license suspension. As a Joliet criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience, including my time as a former Will County prosecutor, I've successfully defended hundreds of theft cases, often securing dismissals, reductions, or court supervision to keep clients' records clean. At the Law Office of Jack L. Zaremba, we handle every level of theft—from retail theft to felony burglary-related charges—in Will County courts. In this blog post, we'll break down the different types of theft, current penalties, common defenses, and how to protect your future in 2025. For related topics, see our guides on retail theft defense and second chance probation for drug cases .

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 Posted on November 16, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Second Chance Probation offers a vital opportunity for first-time drug offenders in Illinois to avoid a conviction and its long-term consequences, focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment. As a Joliet criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience, including my time as a former Will County prosecutor, I've helped numerous clients secure this probation to keep their records clean and driving privileges intact. At the Law Office of Jack L. Zaremba, we specialize in negotiating Second Chance Probation for eligible cases in Will County courts, often intersecting with driver's license issues from drug-related suspensions. In this blog post, we'll explore what Second Chance Probation entails, eligibility requirements, benefits, and strategies to obtain it in 2025.

What is Second Chance Probation in Illinois?

Second Chance Probation, formally known as Section 410 Probation under 720 ILCS 570/410, is a special probation for first-time offenders convicted of possessing small amounts of controlled substances like cannabis (over 30g), cocaine, or heroin. It's a deferred adjudication where you plead guilty but avoid a conviction if you successfully complete probation terms. This program emphasizes treatment and accountability, available in Will County for misdemeanor or Class 4 felony possession charges. For the full statute, refer to the Illinois Compiled Statutes on Probation for Drug Possession .

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