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...
Criminal Defense
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...
When are you most vulnerable to a DUI stop?
Some drivers are willing to risk driving under the influence of alcohol. In fact, according to Safe Home Research, nearly 23% of surveyed drivers in 2021 claimed to have driven drunk during the previous year. While some of these drivers make it home without incident,...
What should you know about your Miranda rights?
Most people have at least heard of the Miranda rights, especially thanks to shows focused on crime or police work. However, a majority of people do not actually understand how Miranda rights work or what protections they offer. What are Miranda rights? Miranda Warning...