Posted on August 13, 2022 in DUI

A drunk driving criminal charge has the potential to change your life. Even if you do not receive a conviction, this type of allegation could result in damage to your personal reputation and other areas of your life. It is critical that you take a DUI seriously, even if it is your first drunk driving offense in Illinois. It is helpful to understand what you are up against so that you can properly and effectively confront the case against you.

There are certain seasons and times of year when it may be most common for Illinois drivers to receive DUIs. For example, holidays are times when more drivers are on the road, and there will be an increase in the number of DUIs during busier travel seasons. Regardless of when law enforcement pulled you over and charged you, it is in your interests to act quickly to begin preparing your defense strategy.

Common times for an increase in drunk driving

By carefully analyzing data, it is possible to pinpoint specific times, even certain days, when it may be more common for law enforcement to catch drivers operating their vehicles while intoxicated. According to statistics and data from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, the following are times when you may be more likely to get a DUI:

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 Posted on June 25, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Certain criminal charges come with potentially life-altering penalties for those convicted of these types of activities. While shoplifting is not a felony offense, it is still important for anyone in Illinois who is facing these charges to be aware of what he or she is up against. If you face charges for the crime of stealing merchandise of any kind from a retail establishment, you will need to know how to properly defend yourself.

The first step to defending yourself against these types of charges is to know what you are up against. It is helpful to not only understand the potential implications of a conviction, but also to know what you need to do to confront any evidence brought by the prosecution. Shoplifting is a type of larceny, which is essentially taking property without permission and with the intent of depriving the owner of it.

Understanding the crime of shoplifting

Shoplifting is a separate criminal offense from petty theft or burglary. While shoplifting cases can differ, most involve two primary elements. This includes evidence of the defendant taking items from a retail establishment, intended for sale, as well as an intentional act of depriving the owner of the item without paying for it. In many cases, shoplifting involves someone simply taking something from a store by hiding it or carrying it discreetly, but other actions that may fall into the category of shoplifting include:

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 Posted on June 13, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Facing the accusation of domestic abuse is serious as this can affect multiple areas of your life. If accused of this type of behavior, it could impact everything from a child custody case to your job opportunities. It is critical to act quickly to defend your rights and interests when facing these accusations, working diligently to protect your personal freedom, future opportunities and your reputation.

Domestic assault is a term used to describe different behaviors that include physical violence and verbal abuse from one person against another who lives in the same home. These accusations are common in cases in which there is a significant amount of animosity between two Illinois spouses, perhaps during a contested divorce or custody dispute. You may think you simply had an argument, but next thing you know, you may be facing a protective order and accusations of domestic abuse.

What counts as domestic assault?

There are different types of domestic abuse, and while it often involves an accusation of a type of violence from one person against another, physical contact is not always a requirement in these cases. It can be difficult to distinguish between verbal abuse and having an argument, especially when it is one person's word against another. Verbal abuse can include words and threats made against someone that either threaten violence or make the other person believe he or she is in harm's way.

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 Posted on April 16, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Facing criminal charges of any kind is a threat to your future. Whether you are facing federal-level charges or a misdemeanor criminal offense, you will benefit from understanding what you are up against and what it could mean for your future. For example, there is a distinct difference between theft and burglary, according to Illinois law, and knowing the difference between these two property crimes can make a difference in how you prepare your defense strategy.

Conviction of theft or burglary could result in a lengthy prison sentence and other penalties that may affect the rest of your life. Whether you are under investigation or already facing charges, it is in your interests to begin working on a defense strategy immediately. With the right defense, it is possible to pursue the most effective outcome to your specific case.

Theft in Illinois

According to Illinois laws, theft is a crime directed toward property. This can include anything of value, such as a car, real estate, collectibles, cash and more. The crime of theft occurs when a person knowingly takes possession of the property of another person by simply taking it, through deception, by threatening the owner or by assuming ownership of stolen property. In a theft case, there must be clear intent to knowingly deprive the owner of his or her property, as well as conceal or use the property in a way that will permanently deprive the owner of it.

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 Posted on April 03, 2022 in DUI

It can be incredibly intimidating to see flashing lights in your rearview mirror as you are driving. Once you see this, you pull over, and you wait for law enforcement to approach your vehicle. If a police officer tells you that he or she stopped you because your behavior indicated the possibility of intoxicated operation of your vehicle, you may be asked to do certain things. One of the things law enforcement may ask of you is to submit to field sobriety tests.

Field sobriety tests are tasks that one must complete that will allow an officer to determine one's level of possible intoxication. These tests are standard, meaning that all police officers receive training on the same tests in order to administer these tests in a consistent manner. You may benefit from understanding what these tests entail and what to expect if pulled over for suspected DUI.

Different types of field sobriety tests

Law enforcement could ask you to perform certain tasks designed to measure your balance, stability, coordination, ability to follow instructions and more. The results of your tests could indicate to law enforcement whether a breath test is necessary. The three field sobriety tests include:

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 Posted on February 19, 2022 in DUI

When a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol while operating a vehicle, he or she is facing a higher chance of an accident. Drunk driving is a serious safety concern, as is drugged driving, and the penalties for either one of these can be steep. With the legalization of certain uses of marijuana, drugged driving may become more prevalent. It may be helpful to know what to expect if charged with drugged driving in Illinois.

Even with a valid prescription for medical cannabis, it is illegal to drive while under the influence of marijuana. Intoxicated driving of any kind can result in significant penalties, including loss of driving privileges, time behind bars and more. If charged with drugged driving, you would be wise to begin developing a defense strategy suited to your individual needs and objectives.

What does Illinois law say?

In Illinois, a driver can face DUI charges if he or she drives under the influence of drugs or any combination of drugs and alcohol to the point where the driver is unable to safely operate the vehicle. A driver may also face DUI charges if there is any amount of drug found in his or her system from the unlawful consumption of cannabis, unless it is THC less than 5ng/ml. Individuals suspected of drugged driving may require chemical testing by law enforcement.

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 Posted on January 04, 2022 in DUI

A drunk driving conviction has the potential to bring various consequences to your life that could alter the course of your future. In addition to the criminal penalties you may face, such as time behind bars, loss of driving privileges and expensive fines, you may find an Illinois DUI affects virtually every other area of your life. It is in your interests to defend yourself against a drunk driving charge regardless of your criminal history.

Even the accusation of drunk driving can have a significant impact. Your personal reputation, as well as other parts of your life, are at stake, and quick action to build a strong defense is critical. You do not want to delay in taking the appropriate steps to analyze your situation and identify the best approach by which you can confront these accusations.

Long-term effects and consequences

Of course, a DUI conviction can result in serious criminal penalties, including the possibility of incarceration. You may also lose your driving privileges, and you could face mandated fines that can be quite expensive. Other, non-criminal consequences and effects potentially brought by a DUI conviction include:

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 Posted on December 17, 2021 in Criminal Defense

For some Illinois residents, the change in law that made recreational use of cannabis legal in the state was cause for celebration. For many years, proponents of the recreational use have argued that it is no more dangerous than alcohol consumption — and possibly less so — and that criminal charges for use, possession or growth of marijuana were unjust. Of course, even though the laws have changed, it does not mean that there is a free-for-all when it comes to cannabis.

Though state law prevails when it comes to general use of the substance, private properties and entities can still enact separate rules for cannabis use. For instance, landlords can prevent marijuana possession and use on their property, and businesses can do the same. As a result, your employer could still fire you if they discover you using or possessing the substance on the premises or if a drug test shows recent use. Additionally, the laws have not changed when it comes to driving while high.

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 Posted on October 15, 2021 in DUI

Facing a DUI charge is nothing to take lightly. After all, if a court convicts you of DUI, you could have that mark on your record for the rest of your life. Unlike other states, Illinois law does not allow for the complete expungement of a drunk driving charge or conviction from your record.

As you may already understand, having a DUI conviction or even just an arrest could seriously affect future opportunities from housing to employment. Even if the DUI charge was reduced or dismissed, the arrest could still appear on your record and make you seem like a less-desirable prospect in some cases. Now, you may wonder if you have any options for addressing that mark on your criminal record.

Bill proposal may help

Earlier this year, a bill proposed in Illinois would allow DUI arrests and charges to be sealed but not entirely expunged from a person's record. While an expungement acts almost like an erasure except under certain circumstances when officials need to access a person's criminal record, sealing a person's record keeps it from being accessible to just anyone while keeping it on record. So, if a future employer, for example, wanted to check an applicant's driving or criminal record, the DUI charge would still show up.

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 Posted on September 21, 2021 in DUI

In Illinois, drunk driving is a very serious offense that the state does not take lightly. Because it only takes one drunk driver to take the lives of so many people. The laws surrounding the consequences of these offenses are serious.

It can be difficult to prevent people from driving drunk or under the influence of drugs, which is why of the 300,000 daily DUIs, only 3200 of them end in an arrest. To help put an end of DUIs, it can be common for a judge to take a driver's license. Despite the outcome of their charges, a defendant still needs to fulfill the other obligations of life, like getting to work. But how can you get to work without a license?

Alternatives to driving

Instead of risking your rights and freedom by driving without a license, there are other options you can choose from to still make things work. Some options include:

• Public transportation
• Rideshares like Uber or Lyft

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