As the weather warms up, the planning begins for proms, graduation parties, and summer get-togethers. Both parents and children should be sure that they do not wreck their summer by getting in trouble for breaking laws related to liquor use by minors. While underage drinkers themselves are subject to legal penalties, adults can face penalties […]
Adult Responsibility for Liquor Use by Minors Read More »
The nation’s opinion about marijuana has changed dramatically in the last few decades. Once considered only a reactional drug, the medicinal benefits of cannabis are now being utilized by thousands of individuals across the country. Thirty states, including Illinois, have embraced looser marijuana laws of some kind while eight states and the District of Columbia
Cook County Referendum Shows Many Residents Support Legalizing Marijuana Read More »
Can you be convicted of drunk driving with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) below .08%? The short answer is, YES, if your blood-alcohol content (BAC) is above .05% AND the police can show evidence that you were driving impaired. In other words, the real crime is not your blood-alcohol level. The crime is driving while impaired.
Can I Be Convicted of Drunk Driving with Blood Alcohol Under .08%? Read More »
One of the legal constants that most any defendant should be able to rely on when being charged with a crime is the opportunity to face their accuser in a court of law. However, those facing felony criminal charges in Illinois, and perhaps soon other states, may no longer have this chance, due in part
Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Drew Peterson Conviction Read More »
Can a social media post lead to a criminal arrest? The answer, at least in Illinois these past few years, is a resounding “yes.” You might think that you have protected your social media accounts with all the right privacy settings. But that may not stop the police from using social media posts to identify,
Can a YouTube Video or Instagram Post Get You Arrested? Read More »
Historically speaking, driving a truck in Illinois has come with more burdensome regulations than one might encounter if working in other states. However, with the start of the new year, some of that burden was reduced, and Illinois trucking regulations have been brought in line with those imposed by federal standards. Only One Inspection Now
Fewer Inspections Now Required for Commercial Trucks in Illinois Read More »
When a popular drinking holiday falls on a weekend—such as St. Patrick’s Day this year—police departments throughout Illinois often set up sobriety checkpoints on commonly traveled roadways. As you might expect, the goal of these checkpoints is to reduce the number of intoxicated drivers on the road. Some who might otherwise drink and drive may
Are DUI Checkpoints Unconstitutional? Read More »
All Illinois firearm owners should be aware that, under specific circumstances, they could be charged with a crime if they leave a firearm accessible and a child injures someone with that firearm. One such incident happened in Chicago on March 10, 2018, when a 3-year-old boy accidentally shot his 9-year-old cousin in the arm with
Can I Be Arrested if a Child Injures Someone With My Gun? Read More »
In March of 2018, an Illinois House Elementary Education Committee unanimously approved legislation which would allow school children to consume medical marijuana in school. The proposed bill would allow a parent or legal guardian to administer infused medical marijuana on school grounds and in school-owned transportation. Medical Marijuana Prevents Student’s Seizures House Bill 4870 was
Proposed Illinois Bill Would Allow Students to Use Medical Marijuana at School Read More »
The use and abuse of opioids is a subject we have addressed a number of times in this space. From the legal ramifications of drug possession and trafficking to the deadly consequences of an overdose, prescription opioids and illegal narcotics pose serious risks to people across the United States. Recently, some major retailers have announced
Retailers Expanding Opioid Disposal Programs Read More »
When someone imagines a drug user, they usually imagine a haggard individual addicted to illicit drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin. However, the truth is that much of the drug abuse in the United States is committed by everyday people using substances which were prescribed by a doctor. Many people incorrectly assume that consuming, buying,
Prescription Drug Laws in Illinois Read More »
Some firearms laws are complicated and hard to decipher, particularly as you travel from city to city and state to state. But there is one gun law that should be obvious to everyone: you should never try to carry a firearm through a TSA checkpoint, into a secured area of an airport, or onto a
Airports and Firearms: How to Stay Out of Trouble Read More »
