Someone who committed a crime ten or twenty years ago will still have that conviction on their criminal record, even after they have been fully released from prison, probation, and/or parole. While some criminal convictions can be sealed or expunged from your criminal record (preventing them from showing up on background checks for employment and […]
How a Governor’s Pardon Can Clear Your Criminal Record Read More »
According to Illinois law, a person can be charged with a hate crime when he or she commits certain offenses and is motivated by the actual or perceived characteristics of another person or a group of people. These characteristics include race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, and disability status. The offenses that can
Man Charged With Hate Crime for Harassing Woman Wearing Puerto Rico Flag Shirt Read More »
A college student was shot by three police officers July 12 after he was repeatedly told to lower his weapon. The man, a student at the University of Illinois, was shot in the leg after he pointed what was at the time thought to be a handgun at police and was given multiple warnings to
College Man Shot By Police After He Refuses to Put Down Gun Read More »
When a criminal defendant is presented with a possible plea bargain, one of the primary incentives to accept the agreement is a reduced sentence in exchange for pleading guilty. This means that refusing the agreement requires the defendant to risk a more severe sentence if he or she is found guilty at trial. The difference
National Defense Bar’s Report Highlights the “Trial Penalty” Problem Read More »
How to legally travel with their firearms, particularly their concealed carry handguns, is a serious concern for thousands of Illinois residents and visitors. Roughly 1.5 million Illinois residents have a Firearm Owners ID (FOID) card, and over 243,000 now hold a Concealed Carry License (CCL). Nationwide, over 16 million concealed carry permits have been issued.
Traveling with Firearms: Rules for Illinois Residents Versus Visitors Read More »
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to be “secure” from “unreasonable searches and seizure,” and that this right can only be violated upon a showing of probable cause. While the text of the Fourth Amendment has not changed in almost 230 years, the application of its promises has been
Supreme Court Forbids Warrantless Use of Cell Site Location Information Read More »
Being charged and convicted of a DUI, or even being suspected of a DUI, can carry serious consequences, including the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. In Illinois, you face a statutory summary license suspension if you fail a chemical test, refuse to submit to one, or fail to finish chemical testing. If you
Two Types of Driving Permits After a DUI License Suspension Read More »
When charged with driving under the influence, or any other crime, you have two choices. One is to plead guilty, often in exchange for a more lenient sentence because you are saving the prosecutor the time and cost of a trial. The other choice is to plead “not guilty” and ask for a trial. If
DUI Cases: Should I Go To Trial? Read More »
White-collar crime is an interesting and unique classification of criminal behavior. Unlike many other crimes, white-collar crime is nonviolent crime that is typically perpetrated by those of high socioeconomic status or occupational responsibility. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has defined white-collar crime as illegal acts characterized by concealment or violation of trust, which are
Types of White-Collar Crimes Read More »
The United States is in the midst of what is being called an “epidemic.” Americans are struggling with heroin dependency and abuse on a scale that has never been seen before. Health experts believe that prescription opioid painkillers are a large part of the problem, but patients who are in serious pain often have few
Bill Would Allow Temporary Access to Medical Marijuana in Place of Opioid Painkillers Read More »
When someone is convicted of a felony in Illinois, the maximum penalties can include years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. But what is the lightest sentence that the court is allowed to hand down? Can You Get Court Supervision for a Felony? Illinois does not allow court supervision for felonies. Court supervision
Illinois’ Most Lenient Sentencing Options for Felony Convictions Read More »
Did you know that more people now die in the U.S. each year from drug/alcohol overdoses than from shootings or car accidents? In response to this public health crisis, state governments have been experimenting with a variety of solutions, including substance abuse treatment programs and other alternatives to imprisonment for low-level drug offenses. Illinois, for
Understanding Illinois’ 410 Probation for First-Time Drug Offenders Read More »
