The Second Amendment guarantees the right of United States citizens to keep and bear arms, but that right is not absolute and may not be exercised with unbridled abandon. Occasionally, the average layman may misunderstand the scope of weapons regulations , or even willfully decide to violate them. Either way, an attorney knowledgeable on the […]
Defending Against Weapons Charges Read More »
A criminal courtroom is a serious place. Sometimes, the setting may seem more somber than is necessary, but, in most cases, the decisions being made will affect the lives of not only the defendant but his or her family as well. It is up to each judge to determine what types of behavior are and
Judge Sends Drunk Driver’s Mother to Jail for Courtroom Behavior Read More »
Limitations on Stingray Devices Stingray devices are used prevalently throughout the state of Illinois by local and state police departments. These powerful pieces of equipment, also known as “cell site simulators” or “IMSI catchers” mimic a standard cell phone tower. They are useful in tracking cell phones by sending out signals to a cellular device
Limits Passed on Stingray Devices | Will County Criminal Defense Attorney Read More »
The Dangers and Consequences of Drag Racing Drag racing, sometimes also referred to as street racing, involves at least two vehicles competing in a speed race against one another. Drag racing can be a straight shot—meaning that the racers maintain a straight path—or it could be a race along a designated course that includes public
The Dangers of Drag Racing | Will County Criminal Defense Attorney Read More »
The state of Illinois has long been known for its strict laws regarding the ownership of firearms and other issues related to weapons. In fact, Illinois was the last state in the nation to even create a process for issuing concealed carry permits, doing so in 2012 only after a federal appeals court found that
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Illinois Concealed Carry Appeal Read More »
For several decades now, the golden question regarding juvenile crimes has been why we try juveniles and adults differently for similar crimes. More specifically, many wonder why those as old as seventeen years of age (nearly adults) are still considered “youth” in a court of law, instead of adult offenders. Experts have studied the psychological
Why Are Juveniles Held to a Different Standard of Accountability Under the Law? Read More »
When an individual has been charged with a crime, he or she is presumed to be innocent until he or she is proven guilty in a court of law. In a criminal case, the burden of proof is the highest in any area of the law, and justifiably so. Other areas of law deal primarily
The Burden of Proof in a Criminal Case Read More »
The causes for youth crime are just as diverse as the reasons behind adult crime with some leading to nothing more than a one-time offense, while others result in repetitive, problematic behaviors that continue for much of the offender’s lifetime. Delinquent acts, as they are referred to in the juvenile justice system, can be triggered
Factors That Place Youth at Risk for Juvenile Delinquency Read More »
Earlier this year, Governor Bruce Rauner announced a lofty goal: he wants to reduce the state’s prison population by 25 percent by the year 2025. Several initiatives and criminal law reform laws have been put into place since that announcement, and all are aimed at achieving that goal. Is it really working, though, or do
Illinois Criminal Law Reform Aims to Reduce Recidivism Rates Read More »
In the realm of criminal law, the word “juvenile” is used to describe suspects and offenders under the age of eighteen. Juveniles are responsible for a large number of everyday offenses, often taking place in our schools, on our streets, and in our neighborhood establishments. Similar to adult crimes, juvenile crimes can include everything from
Criminal Trends and Common Juvenile Offenses Read More »
In the state of Illinois, there is a little-known law that can leave those suspected of, arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a crime in a serious financial bind. Even worse is that law enforcement is often profiting from their misfortunes. The statute regarding civil forfeiture may allow the police to seize your assets
Asset Forfeiture Has Become a Police For-Profit Business in Illinois Read More »
As we begin the winter holiday season, you will probably start to see reports of DUI checkpoints being set up throughout the Chicago region. Beginning with the night before Thanksgiving and continuing through New Year’s Day, these checkpoints are designed to be a deterrent for drunk drivers and to get those who are intoxicated off
DUI Checkpoints: Are They Constitutional? Read More »
