You know it is illegal to pass a moving vehicle in a no-passing zone. But did you know that you can now pass a bicyclist in a no-passing zone under a new state traffic law that went into effect on January 1, 2018? When Can a Motorist Pass a Bicyclist? Drivers can now pass to […]
Illinois Motorists Can Now Legally Pass Bicycles in a No-Passing Zone Read More »
Before television and the internet, if a person was accused of a crime, only those close to the defendant or prosecutors were aware of the allegation, in most cases. Today, we have access to virtually the entire wealth of human knowledge at the click of a button. When someone is accused of a crime, especially
How the Court of Public Opinion Can Influence Criminal Proceedings Read More »
The prevalence of electronic communication in modern life has brought people many benefits, but it has led to consequences as well. One negative effect of the increased ease of communication is the ability for someone to harass or intimidate someone else using a variety of methods. These types of actions are criminal offenses, and in
New Illinois Online Hate Crime Law for 2018 Read More »
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and
When Can the Police Search Your Car? Read More »
As more states are beginning to legalize marijuana for recreational and medical use, law enforcement organizations across the United States are struggling to address the possible increased prevalence of people driving while intoxicated. Whether a state has legalized marijuana or not, driving under the influence (DUI) of any alcohol or drugs remains against the law.
Testing for DUI Related to Marijuana Use Read More »
In Illinois, law enforcement officials and prosecutors have the right to upgrade charges against a defendant if their alleged crime rises to or exceeds certain thresholds defined in the state’s criminal code. One common example of charges which may be upgraded occurs when an offense crosses the line between misdemeanor shoplifting and felony theft. Smart
Raising the Threshold on Felony Theft in Illinois Read More »
A new law in Illinois regarding driving under the influence (DUI) goes into effect in the new year. Under HB 3084, if an individual drives after their license has been suspended or revoked due to a DUI violation that resulted in a fatality, the individual will be sentenced in the same way an individual who
New Illinois Aggravated DUI Law Goes Into Effect in 2018 Read More »
When a person is stopped by a police officer on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol , the officer may ask him or her to take a breath, blood, or urine test. Often, a field sobriety test and breath test are used during traffic stops to determine whether the driver’s blood alcohol content
Should I Refuse a Breathalyzer Test? Read More »
Evidence is a very important variable when it comes to nearly any investigation and criminal defense strategy. Sometimes a lack of evidence is what helps a defendant win their case, while in other situations, evidence is exactly what you need to protect your freedom. It is interesting to see the lengths to which some will
Recovering Evidence in a Criminal Defense Case Read More »
Having the option of being tried in court before a jury of one’s peers is a right our country’s justice system guarantees. However, in most cases involving juvenile crime, the opportunity to seek a jury trial is not offered in Illinois. This policy was recently upheld by the state’s Supreme Court. First Time Offenders In
Juvenile Defendants and Jury Trials Read More »
Shoplifting can be detrimental to business owners, as billions of dollars’ worth of merchandise are stolen from retail stores every year. Often, the holiday season is the time of year when shoplifting is especially problematic. In a season that lasts just over a month, shoplifters cost retail stores approximately $6 billion. The toll is especially
Holiday Season Causes Uptick in Shoplifting Read More »
Traffic violations Traffic violations are a common reason for getting pulled over by the police. In fact, most drivers have been pulled over at least once in their lives. It can be easy for us as drivers to be comfortable bending the rules a bit and many drivers admit to practicing dangerous behaviors on the
What Are The Most Common Traffic Violations Read More »
