We frequently use this space to provide information about drug offenses, marijuana laws, and the consequences of violating state and federal drug laws. However, it is important to recognize the effects that illegal drugs have on people who use them. In recent years, law enforcement, with help from lawmakers and community activists, have stepped up […]
Communities Are Taking Part in the Fight Against Opioid Abuse Read More »
Police violence has become an extremely hot-button topic in recent years, with new examples seeming to make headlines on a regular basis. The issue has been further publicized by the protests during the national anthem by various professional athletes across the country. Advocates for reform maintain that police officers are often granted near-complete immunity from
Former Chicago Police Officer Sentenced in Shooting of Teens Read More »
If someone asked if you knew what constituted an “E-device law,” one common answer might involve a discussion of an Illinois statute that requires drivers to use a cell phone only through use of a hands-free program. However, a growing number of cities throughout the United States are expanding these laws to pedestrians as well
What Is a Pedestrian E-Device Law? Read More »
Long gone are the days when harmful and even illegal actions by underaged individuals would be dismissed as “boys will be boys” or some other equally cliched justification. In addition to the juvenile court system, some states are passing laws that apply penalties to parents for the actions of their children. New York Law Targets
Are You Liable if Your Child Commits a Crime Read More »
During a criminal trial, the judge is responsible for the things that go on in his or her courtroom. He or she oversees the proceedings, maintains order, rules on evidentiary objections, and ensures that the details of the case are properly recorded. But, what if the judge does not appear to be in complete control?
Appeals Court Upholds Verdict in “Sleeping Judge” Case Read More »
A recent post on this blog talked a little about national trends and local efforts regarding the legalization of recreational marijuana. While several lawmakers in Illinois have begun the process of trying to legalize recreational use of the drug, only approved medical use is currently legal under state law. The state’s medical marijuana program currently
Some Health Systems Are Hesitant to Recommend Medical Marijuana Read More »
In spite of efforts to thoroughly define procedures for detaining criminal suspects, the law actually provides police with a certain amount of leeway during the course of executing their duties. Although everyone is innocent until proven guilty, police often apply the somewhat vague standard of reasonable suspicion to a situation when attempting to investigate the
The Question of Reasonable Suspicion in Criminal Arrests Read More »
Just as technology makes advances on what seems like a daily basis, the laws governing the use of and access to technological devices is still evolving. A case currently making its way through Illinois courts addresses just this issue, and, as it stands, law enforcement now can require an owner to unlock their cell phone
Do You Have to Unlock Your Phone for the Police? Read More »
In an ideal world, nobody would be above the law. Our world, of course, is not perfect, and many individuals—especially business leaders and politicians—seem to get away with things that the average citizen would not. For at least one former Illinois state representative, however, this does not appear to be the case, as she is
Longtime Illinois Lawmaker Charged With Retail Theft Read More »
Domestic violence is a problem that continues to plague tens of thousands of families across the country. Despite countless awareness programs, educational campaigns, and victim empowerment efforts, as many as one in three women and one in four men will experience domestic violence at the hands of an intimate partner at least once in their
Understanding Domestic Battery in Illinois Read More »
