Unfortunately, many fail to understand that their conduct during and after an arrest can influence the outcome of the situation. Strong emotions like fear and anxiety can lead to behaviors that could make your circumstances much worse. Follow these legal tips during...
Criminal Defense
How does the entrapment defense work in Illinois criminal cases?
Entrapment happens when law enforcement convinces someone to commit a crime they would not have otherwise committed. Illinois law recognizes entrapment as a valid legal defense, but it requires proof that the idea and pressure to commit the crime came from law...
Chicago traffic stops, felony weapons charges have skyrocketed
Illinois has stricter laws concerning firearms than many other states do. Violations of one that result in a lot of arrests is the state’s Unlawful Use of Weapons (UUW) law. The law states that anyone with a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card “may transport a...
3 things to avoid saying on calls made from jail
That first call from jail to your family after an arrest can be really hard to make – especially if you’re in serious legal trouble and facing charges of a violent crime. You may have a ton of things you want to say to your loved ones, and they probably have a lot of...
What’s the difference between assault and battery in Illinois?
Many people confuse assault and battery, treating them as identical offenses that result in the same penalties. While they often appear as two sides of one coin, understanding their distinct definitions and consequences is crucial. Assault is the intentional act of...
Possession of cannabis inside a car is a punishable crime
Drivers normally face driving under the influence (DUI) charges for operating a vehicle while drunk on alcohol. But officers can also hand out DUIs to drivers under the effect of any intoxicating drug or substance, such as cannabis. By Illinois law, it’s illegal for a...
Reinstating your driver’s license after a DUI in Illinois
In 2022, the Illinois Secretary of State reported that there were over 27,000 DUI arrests across the state. In Illinois, one of the punishments for receiving a DUI is that you will lose your driving privileges. Losing your driver's license due to a DUI can be a...
3 factors that can affect a field sobriety test
Have you ever failed a sobriety test, but, you have not had a drop to drink? It might seem improbable, but there are actually several reasons why you might fail a field sobriety test, even if you are not drunk. Police officers have designed field sobriety tests to...
Distinguishing between battery and self-defense in Illinois
If you are ever involved in an altercation with another person, you might be unclear whether the law considers it battery or self-defense. Understanding the difference between battery and self-defense in Illinois can be instrumental in legal situations. This article...
What are the open container laws in Illinois?
Drinking and driving is an obvious criminal act in Illinois. But there are adjacent crimes that could land you in hot water as well. Having an open container of alcohol in your vehicle while driving is also an illegal act. Illinois open container laws state that no...