Criminal Defense

In the wake of one of the country’s deadliest acts of gun violence, Illinois legislators attempted to pass a bill that would prohibit the use of “bump stocks” and other means for modifying the trigger action of semi-automatic weapons. Officials from both parties objected to all or parts of the bill, which gained only 48 […]

At one point or another in our lives, we have all made questionable decisions. In some situations, it is reasonable to say that alcohol affected our judgment, but when the decisions in question lead to illegal behavior, having too much to drink is not a valid justification. Alcohol is certainly not an excuse when a

When a person is arrested, it is not uncommon for him or her to face multiple charges related to the circumstances. In Illinois, however, a criminal defendant can only be convicted of one crime that corresponds to a particular action, even if that action could constitute more than one offense. This doctrine was upheld again

When police officer Mario Valenti responded to an alleged trespassing call from a gym and fitness club in Skokie, he could have taken a hard line. Instead, upon encountering the alleged trespasser—a 15-year-old aspiring basketball player—Valenti opened his wallet and offered the boy an opportunity. According to the Chicago Tribune and a number of other

For many, spending an afternoon on the water may be an ideal form of relaxation. There are few things better than cruising around the lake in a boat while enjoying the company of friends or family. It is hardly surprising, however, that a large number of boaters also incorporate alcohol into their recreational activities. When

Courtroom dramas on TV and in the movies often provide the public with a glimpse of the legal process, frequently including tense exchanges between witnesses, attorneys, and judges resulting in an objection to hearsay testimony and a ruling of “sustained” from the bench. However, a recent ruling by the Illinois State Supreme Court could have

Often described as a “harmless rite of passage,” or “tradition among members,” the issue of hazing frequently makes the news when an injury or even death occurs. When this happens, it is necessary for police to get involved, and that may result in those involved facing serious criminal charges. Hazing Laws in Illinois In 2014,

Any time that a person is arrested on suspicion of criminal activity, a record of the arrest is created. That record remains a part of the person’s criminal history regardless of whether he or she is ever convicted. The arrest remains even if formal charges are never filed or are dismissed along the way. Having

Since the installation of red light cameras began throughout Illinois, much debate has occurred over the effectiveness of these once heralded traffic control tools. A great deal of controversy surrounds the issuing of traffic tickets to motorists, and people have questioned whether the cameras are a safety device or a revenue generating resource for municipalities.

As protests both peaceful and violent become more and more common in cities across the United States, it might be a good idea to understand in advance the rights one is afforded when taking part in such an activity. Of course, the 1st Amendment protects every citizen’s right to free speech, but knowing how your

Recently, we used this space to discuss the issue of search warrants and the threshold of evidence that constitutes probable cause. Furthermore, we addressed the matter as it related to an incident involving a nurse and the police that made national news when police attempted to obtain a blood sample without a warrant from an

If you are like most people, you probably know that the 0.08 is the “magic number” regarding drunk driving. A person with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher may face charges for driving under the influence (DUI), but many people do not really understand what that number actually represents. In addition, it may