For many of us, the main times we interact with the police is during traffic stops. Most people who have been diving for a few years have been pulled over at least once by police. Often, those who have committed a minor traffic violation, such as driving slightly faster than the speed limit, will only […]
Is a Police Officer Allowed to Search My Vehicle? Read More »
Having a felony conviction on your record is more than just embarrassing. It can prevent you from getting student financial aid, from joining the military, from owning a firearm, from working in some types of jobs, and from being accepted into some types of housing. These effects can be very long-lasting, as most felony convictions
Understanding Illinois’ Second Chance Probation Program Read More »
A series of lawsuits have been filed in recent years against the City of Chicago in regard to the behavior of one particular now-retired detective. The lawsuits allege that the detective was responsible for a corruption racket that covered mostly Hispanic neighborhoods on the West and Northwest Sides of the city. A number of convictions
Misconduct Allegations Mounting Against Former Chicago Detective Read More »
Juvenile justice systems were created with the idea that children are different from adults and that their behavior can be changed. In 1899, Illinois was the first state in the country that created a separate court for children. Since the inception of the first juvenile court, the juvenile justice system has been modified and improved
5 Factors Involved in Transferring a Case From Juvenile to Adult Court Read More »
Controlled substances remain in great demand in Illinois. Of the roughly 81,000 drug-crime arrests made in Illinois in 2016 (the latest year for which data is available), 28% were for controlled substances. Controlled substances include prescription opiates like fentanyl and oxycodone as well as illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin (excluding cannabis, which represented 43%
Illinois’ Response to the Rising Problem of Opioid Overdoses Read More »
Robbery (stealing from a person by force) and burglary (theft from a building or vehicle) are not new crimes in Will County. However, the way these crimes are accomplished, and the items that are stolen, do change over time. Here are some examples of recent trends in crimes that occur in Illinois: Package Theft on
Creative Criminals Still Get Caught in Will County Read More »
The greater Chicago area is well-known for many things. Some of them are good, such as deep-dish pizza and the attractions at the Navy Pier. Others are not so good, including the city’s reputation for violent crime. Two recent reports, however, seem to offer a measure of relief for those concerned about the violent crime
Number of Chicago Hate Crimes Dropped in 2017 Read More »
When juveniles get in trouble with the law, all police and court records are supposed to be sealed. Then, when these children turn 18, they should enter adulthood with a clean record, right? Actually, it is not that simple. The Juvenile Justice System Creates a Lot of Records Anyone under the age of 18 who
Making Sure Your Child Enters Adulthood with a Clean Criminal Record Read More »
Very few people can picture themselves in the position of being charged with a felony and facing the possibility of spending time in a state prison. Thankfully, most of our 13 million Illinois residents will never be in that position. Every year, 300,000 serious criminal offenses are committed in Illinois, including over 200,000 thefts/robberies/burglaries, 120,000
Illinois Community-Level Programs Aim to Reduce Prison Population Read More »
You should never drink and drive-it is dangerous and it is reckless. According to the Illinois Secretary of State, 29,528 DUI arrests were made in Illinois in 2016. In the state of Illinois, driving under the influence includes many different types of impaired driving, from driving under the influence of alcohol to driving while intoxicated
What Happens During an Illinois DUI Arrest? Read More »
Gun regulation has become a hot topic in recent years following the multiple mass shootings that have occurred in the United States, such as the Las Vegas shooting, the Sandy Hook shooting, and the Parkland shooting. Many states have taken action to reform current gun laws, especially those regarding assault-style weapons. In response to these
Illinois Police to Enforce Gun Laws Regardless of Gun Sanctuaries Read More »
If you find yourself enjoying a day out on a boat this year, consider yourself lucky. Only about 240,000 people in Illinois are fortunate enough to own a boat. However, if you run into a law enforcement officer while boating, here are a few tips to remember that can help you avoid charges related to
Tips for Staying Out of Trouble on the Water This Spring and Summer Read More »
