The making of false 911 calls purposely intended to mobilize an armed police SWAT team has become a frightening trend in the U.S. The estimated number of “swatting” incidents has more than doubled since 2011, according to one former FBI agent. Someone who commits the crime of swatting will face severe consequences ranging from a […]
Swatting – False 911 Calls Have Serious Consequences Read More »
In recent years, states across the country have placed an increased focus on domestic violence and how it is prosecuted. Because of the serious and often secretive nature of domestic violence, there has been much effort put into preventing domestic violence from occurring and appropriately punishing offenders. In the state of Illinois, domestic violence is
Understanding Illinois Domestic Battery Charges Read More »
In order to help prevent gun violence, Illinois state requires any resident who wishes to own a gun or ammunition to obtain a Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID card). These cards are issued to qualified applicants by the Illinois State Police. There are several exceptions to this requirement, including certain exceptions for members of the
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in Illinois Read More »
One out of every five children who dies in a fatal car crash is killed by a drunk driver. When you read that statistic, did you assume the child was riding in a car that was struck by the drunk driver? Or, that the child was a passenger in the drunk driver’s car? In 2017,
DUI with a Child Passenger Carries Harsh Penalties – Possible Felony Charges Read More »
Unfortunately, even good people sometimes get caught up in the criminal justice system. If you have a son or daughter who has been charged with a crime, you may be filled with questions such as “Will my child have to serve time?” and “Are there alternative programs for juvenile offenders?” Fortunately, Illinois lawmakers understand that
Diversion Programs Offer Hope to Illinois Juvenile Offenders Read More »
One of the most common crimes in the United States is retail theft, and while it may seem like a victimless crime, it is not. According to the National Retail Federation, inventory shrinkage due to theft or shoplifting cost American retailers nearly $49 billion in 2016. Many retailers have made retail theft a priority of
Illinois Retail Theft and Related Charges Read More »
Since Illinois legalized the concealed carry of handguns in 2014, there have been at least 40 shootings by concealed carry license (CCL) holders reported in the media. More than half of those shootings involved self-defense or defense of others in response to a crime in progress. A review of these cases provides useful insights to
Illinois CCL Holders Use Concealed Carry Handguns in Self-Defense Read More »
While many people consider traffic violations to be minor offenses, the truth is that traffic violations can result in serious punitive consequences. Being accused of reckless driving can result in heavy fines and even jail time. A reckless driving charge is not something to take lightly. Read on to learn about Illinois reckless driving law
What You Should Know About Reckless Driving in Illinois Read More »
Most people are not familiar with the criminal justice system. Often, the first exposure people do have with the criminal justice system is when they get themselves into trouble. Most people’s knowledge about the criminal justice system, crimes and punishments comes from what they see and hear on television and movies and what they read
The Differences Between Assault and Battery in Illinois Read More »
If your loved one has been arrested, you may be wondering what steps you should take next. Perhaps you have heard that you need to come up with a certain amount of money for “bail” and that in order to do this you need a bail bond. The words “bail” and “bond” often appear to
Understanding the Difference Between Bail and Bond Read More »
An Illinois law prohibiting the carrying of a taser or stun gun in public was ruled unconstitutional by the Illinois Supreme Court on March 21, 2019. The court declared that a taser or stun gun has the same essential function as a handgun for self-defense and therefore merits similar protection under the Second Amendment to
Taser or Stun Guns in Illinois Read More »
When your child is in legal trouble, it can be extremely stressful for the entire family. Often times, you do not know what will happen to your child, whether or not they will serve jail time and what non-legal repercussions will come of your child’s situation. While some juvenile offenders have committed crimes that are
Exploring Juvenile Diversion Programs in Illinois Read More »
