School is back in session, which means that many residential areas are suddenly much quieter during the day and homework clutters kitchen tables in the evening. As families with school-aged children get back into the swing of the school year, drivers throughout Illinois must take extra precautions when driving near school buildings as speeding in […]
Speeding in a School Zone Could Result in Jail Time Read More »
The presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of the American legal system. When an individual has been charged with a crime, he or she is Innocent until proven guilty. Criminal defendants often face serious punitive consequences, including the death penalty. Therefore, the burden of proof is highest in criminal cases -higher than in any other
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt – The Standard in Criminal Proceedings Read More »
Footage from the body-cam of a Salt Lake City police officer recently went viral, causing a massive, national debate over the behavior of law enforcement in stressful situations. In the video, a nurse at a Salt Lake City hospital can be seen arguing with a police detective about his request to take blood from an
Nurse Arrested for Refusing to Allow Police to Take Patient’s Blood Read More »
Television shows and movies may create a false picture of what it is like when someone is served with a search warrant by law enforcement. Many citizens are left with the impression of a polite knock on the door, presentation of the warrant, and then entry by police. While, in reality, that may happen from
Understanding Probable Cause and 4th Amendment Searches Read More »
Around the country, ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have become immensely popular, especially among younger adults. It is very easy to open a smartphone app, tap a few times, and have a car arrive to pick you up exactly where you are. These services have proven to be extremely convenient, even in cities with
Is Uber Really Preventing Drunk Driving? Read More »
In 2014, Illinois became the last state to allow gun owners the right to carry concealed firearms, and while a large number of concealed carry permits were issued that year, applications statewide for these permits have been on a steady decline, aside from a slight increase in 2016. The exception to this trend, however, is
Concealed Carry Applications on the Decline in Illinois Read More »
Recent news reports about the rate of traffic fatalities presented mixed results for drivers in the state of Illinois. While fatalities involving drunk drivers fatalities involving drunk drivers continue to decrease, the overall number of deaths due to traffic accidents is on the rise in Illinois and across the country. Drunk Drivers and Drunk Driving
Illinois Traffic Fatalities are on the Rise Read More »
Domestic life is filled with ups and downs. Under the very worst conditions, disagreements between couples sometimes result in threats or acts of intimidation or violence, be they physical or verbal. This could result in one party obtaining an order of protection against the other, which is a court-issued order prohibiting those accused of violence
How to Respond to an Order of Protection Read More »
When you have been pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), the officer has several tools at his or her disposal for determining your estimated level of impairment. The officer will observe your posture, speech patterns, and overall demeanor, looking for indications that you have had too much to drink. You may
DUI – Understanding Standardized Field Sobriety Tests Read More »
There is quite a bit of information floating around telling drivers what they can do if stopped by police. Videos on the Internet claim to illustrate a driver’s rights if pulled over by police, and Social Media accounts post bulletins and other materials related to that same issue. The best thing a driver can do
Know Your Rights During a Traffic Stop Read More »
When a person is arrested on the suspicion that he or she committed a crime , he or she has certain rights. You are probably familiar with some of them, including the right to remain silent, the right to have an attorney present during questioning, and the right to a trial by a jury of
Can the Police Search My Cell Phone? Read More »
Over the last several years, Illinois lawmakers have approved several measures that have changed the state’s approach to marijuana. While they did not go so far as to legalize recreational use of the drug, low-level possession is no longer a crime, and individuals who have been duly registered with the state are legally permitted to
Medical Marijuana Program Continues in Illinois Read More »
