The first juvenile court was established in Cook County in 1899. Since then the juvenile justice system has seen a number of changes to better serve minors who are charged with crimes. What is the Purpose of the Illinois Juvenile Court System? When the state of Illinois enacted the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, it […]
Navigating the Juvenile Court System in Illinois Read More »
Opioid-based medication has been available to the American public since before the Civil War, but recently, these types of drugs have skyrocketed to the forefront of Americans’ attention. Law enforcement and government officials have gone so far as to declare the opioid abuse a national epidemic, and if arrest rates and overdose numbers are any
Opioid Addiction and the Nation’s Drug Problem Read More »
It is no secret that the incidence of weapons violations in Chicago is high. Just last summer, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that more than 5,500 illegal guns were seized from January to September of 2016. The data reveals that law enforcement authorities are seizing more illegal guns in Chicago than anywhere else in the U.S.
Repeat Gun Crime Offenders Face New Sentencing Guidelines in Illinois Read More »
Over the past several years, the state of Illinois has taken steps to reduce the occurrence of traffic accidents caused by drivers engaging in “distracted driving.” To most drivers distracted driving means talking on one’s cell phone while operating a vehicle, but in reality, distracted driving laws apply to several other activities. According to the
Distracted Driving. Will I Receive a Ticket? Read More »
With all of the talk nationwide about criminal justice reform and alternatives to imprisonment for so-called “low-level” and non-violent offenders, it is understandable that the severity of certain drug crimes can be underestimated. Of course, in most such cases, the offenses in question tend to be simple possession or the possession of drug paraphernalia. Most
Appeals Court Upholds Drug-Induced Homicide Conviction Read More »
Over the last few years, there has been a great deal of discussion regarding implied consent laws and the ability of law enforcement to force a driver to submit to blood-alcohol content (BAC) testing. The issue is multifaceted, as with many subjects in the realm of criminal law, but the debate boiled down to two
Illinois Case Raises Questions Regarding Urine Tests in DUI Cases Read More »
If you have ever watched a crime-related television program, you know that most episodes end with a suspect in handcuffs and, as the screen fades to black, you can hear the arresting officer begin to say, “You have the right to remain silent.” Thanks to this type of depiction in entertainment, most people are aware
Common Misconceptions About Your Miranda Rights Read More »
Illinois law presumes that a criminal defendant facing charges for assault or another crime is fit to be tried and receive a sentence. However, the law also recognizes that circumstances might render a defendant unable to comprehend the proceedings against him or to help with his own case. If the defendant has a mental or
Determining a Defendant’s Fitness to Stand Trial Read More »
Charges of driving under the influence are always serious. Intoxicated driving creates significant danger not only to the drunk driver, but to anyone else who may be sharing the road. As such, penalties for DUI can be severe, even for a first offense. However, in an effort to prevent future violations, provisions in Illinois may
First-Time DUI Offenders Have Options under Illinois Law Read More »
If you were to ask several random people to list the top three current problems with our criminal justice system, there is a good chance that many of the respondents would include overcrowded jails and prisons in their list. The concern over the nation’s large prison population is certainly founded in truth, and while the
Illinois Governor Signs Bail Reform Measure Read More »
Over the last several years, the number of deaths associated with drug overdoses has skyrocketed. In 2015, more than 52,400 individuals died as the result of a drug overdose. Last year, estimates place the number of deaths at around 59,000. These statistics indicate that overdose deaths now claim more lives each year than auto accidents
Illinois Law Protects Those Who Seek Help in Overdose Situations Read More »
Criminal prosecution typically begins with an arrest. It is important to understand Illinois law regarding arrest procedures because if the authorities violate a defendant’s rights from the get-go, it could prejudice the state’s case. The following comes into play when a peace officer is allowed to make an arrest: The officer has a warrant ordering
Criminal Arrest Procedures Read More »
