Selling drugs to an undercover officer can lead to felony charges in Illinois. The officer's identity is not a defense. Police can use recordings, marked money, and surveillance to build a case. However, that evidence still needs careful review. An attorney can check whether officers identified the right person, obtained evidence legally, or improperly pressured someone into a sale. If you are facing undercover drug charges in 2026, a Naperville drug possession with intent to deliver defense lawyer can examine what happened.

What Charges Can Follow an Undercover Drug Sale in Illinois?

Under 720 ILCS 570/401, Illinois makes it illegal to knowingly deliver certain controlled substances or possess them with intent to deliver. Delivery does not require payment. Illinois defines it to include transferring drugs directly or indirectly to another person, or attempting to do so.]]> Drug Offenses 2026-10-31 00:00:00 https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/the-role-of-field-sobriety-tests-in-illinois-dui-arrests https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/the-role-of-field-sobriety-tests-in-illinois-dui-arrests

Field sobriety tests are voluntary during most alcohol-related DUI stops in Illinois. They don't precisely measure impairment. Sober people can perform poorly on these tests for many different reasons. Still, prosecutors use that roadside performance as evidence, so how the tests were given and scored matters to your case. If you’re facing a DUI charge in 2026, our Naperville DUI defense lawyer can help you build a case to fight it, even if you failed the field sobriety tests.

What Are the Three Standardized Field Sobriety Tests Used in Illinois?

Officers in Illinois and across the country use three standardized tests. Each test has specific signs, called clues, that officers look for: 

• The horizontal gaze nystagmus test has the officer move a pen or light while watching your eyes for involuntary jerking. The officer looks for six clues, three in each eye.

If you are facing a grooming charge in 2026, a Naperville, IL sex crimes defense lawyer can help you challenge the allegations.

What Does the Illinois Grooming Statute Prohibit?

Illinois defines grooming in 720 ILCS 5/11-25. A person must be at least five years older than the child – meaning someone under 17 – or hold a position of trust, authority, or supervision over the child.]]> Sex Offenses 2026-09-30 00:00:00 https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/the-consequences-of-illinois-auto-theft https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/the-consequences-of-illinois-auto-theft In Illinois, stealing a car is usually a felony. The most common charge, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, is a Class 2 felony carrying three to seven years in prison and fines of up to $25,000. A conviction also creates a serious criminal record. Some cases are charged as misdemeanors, and some end in probation rather than prison. The starting point, though, is very serious.

If you’re facing a charge related to auto theft in 2026, our DuPage County criminal defense lawyer can explain the charge and what defenses are available for your case.

What Charges Can You Face for Stealing a Car in Illinois?

Illinois has no single crime for stealing a car. Prosecutors choose from several statutes depending on the facts.

The one charged most often is under 625 ILCS 5/4-103, which makes it illegal for a person not entitled to possession of a vehicle to receive, possess, conceal, sell, or transfer it while knowing it was stolen. You don't have to be the person who took the car. Just driving it or storing it can get you in serious legal trouble if you knew it was stolen. Just being a passenger in a stolen car, however, is not enough for charges.]]> Criminal Defense 2026-09-14 00:00:00 https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/when-does-speeding-become-a-criminal-offense-in-illinois https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/when-does-speeding-become-a-criminal-offense-in-illinois Speeding becomes a criminal offense in Illinois when you drive 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit. Illinois law treats this level of speeding as a misdemeanor rather than a simple traffic ticket. If you're facing either in 2026, our Naperville, IL criminal defense lawyer can help you address the issue and understand your legal options.

What Makes Speeding a Misdemeanor Instead of a Ticket?

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-601.5, driving 26 to 34 miles per hour over the speed limit is a Class B misdemeanor in Illinois. Driving 35 miles per hour or more over the speed limit is a Class A misdemeanor. This carries even harsher potential penalties. This law separates these higher speed violations from the more common speeding tickets most drivers are used to.]]> Criminal Defense 2026-08-27 00:00:00 https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/can-police-arrest-you-for-dui-if-your-bac-is-below-0-08-in-illinois https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/can-police-arrest-you-for-dui-if-your-bac-is-below-0-08-in-illinois Police can arrest you for driving under the influence (DUI) in Illinois even if your blood alcohol concentration is below 0.08. Illinois law allows a DUI arrest based on observable signs of impairment noticed by the arresting officer. This is true regardless of the specific number your breath or blood test shows. However, you will still have the chance to fight the charge.

If you've been arrested for DUI in 2026 with a BAC below this level, our Naperville DUI defense lawyer can help you understand your options. Attorney Phil Nathe brings over 25 years of legal experience to these cases. Talk to him about the details of your case.

How Does Illinois Law Define DUI Beyond the 0.08 Threshold?

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, a person can be charged with DUI in Illinois for driving while under the influence of alcohol, even if their BAC is below 0.08. A BAC of 0.08 or higher is one way to establish a DUI violation, but it is not the only way.]]> DUI 2026-08-14 00:00:00 https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/defending-yourself-against-indecent-liberties-charges https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/defending-yourself-against-indecent-liberties-charges Defending yourself against indecent liberties charges, now prosecuted in Illinois as aggravated criminal sexual abuse, involves a few key steps. This includes challenging the state's evidence about intent and questioning witness credibility. In some cases, it requires showing that an accusation stems from a misunderstanding or a contentious family dispute. A DuPage County indecent liberties with a child defense lawyer can help you understand exactly what the state must prove. They can also help you build a strong defense.

What Happened to the Indecent Liberties With a Child Charge in Illinois?

Illinois previously had a specific offense called indecent liberties with a child. This charge was consolidated into what's now known as aggravated criminal sexual abuse under 720 ILCS 5/11-1.60. The older name still gets used in everyday conversation. But this is the statute that governs these charges today.]]> Sex Offenses 2026-07-29 00:00:00 https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/can-parents-be-held-responsible-for-a-juvenile-assault-case https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/can-parents-be-held-responsible-for-a-juvenile-assault-case In Illinois, parents can face legal consequences when their child is involved in a juvenile assault case. When a minor is accused of assault, the focus is often on the child. However, Illinois law has provisions that can hold parents accountable in certain situations. If your child is facing an assault charge in 2026, our Naperville, IL criminal defense lawyer can help. Too much is at stake in these cases to risk facing charges without an experienced legal representative behind you.

How Does Illinois Define Assault and Battery for Juveniles?

Under 720 ILCS 5/12-1, assault means knowingly placing another person in reasonable fear that they are about to be physically harmed. No physical contact is required. It’s about creating fear.]]> Juvenile Offenses 2026-07-15 00:00:00 https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/how-do-i-challenge-a-dui-charge-in-illinois https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/how-do-i-challenge-a-dui-charge-in-illinois There are many ways to challenge a DUI charge in Illinois. The state has to prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Your attorney can help you push back against their claims. If you are facing a DUI charge in 2026, our Naperville, IL DUI defense lawyer will review every detail of your case and identify the strongest arguments available to you.

Questions To Ask When Building a DUI Defense Strategy

Consider some things your attorney will ask about your case while building your defense strategy.

Was the Traffic Stop Legal?

Before an officer can pull you over, they need what is called reasonable suspicion that a traffic violation or criminal activity is occurring. That means they need specific, observable facts, not just a feeling or a hunch.

If the stop was not legally justified, any evidence they collected may be thrown out. That includes field sobriety test results, breathalyzer readings, and anything you said to the officer. Without that evidence, the prosecution's case can fall apart entirely.]]> DUI 2026-06-23 00:00:00 https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-possession-and-possession-with-intent-to-deliver-in-illinois https://www.napervilledui.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-possession-and-possession-with-intent-to-deliver-in-illinois In Illinois, there are separate charges for drug possession and possession with the intention to deliver drugs to someone else. The difference between these comes down to what an Illinois court believed you planned to do with the drugs. If you're facing either charge in 2026, a Naperville, IL drug defense lawyer can explain what you're up against.

How Does Illinois Define Simple Drug Possession?

Simple possession in Illinois means you knowingly had a controlled substance without a valid reason. The penalty depends on the type and amount of the drug per the Illinois Controlled Substances Act (720 ILCS 570/402). A small amount of a substance like heroin or cocaine (15 grams or less) is usually a Class 4 felony. Larger amounts raise the class and the possible sentence.]]> Drug Offenses 2026-06-09 00:00:00