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Sex offenses are considered especially morally reprehensible. Allegations of sexual assault, sex abuse, rape, or a related crime can destroy a person’s life. Criminal penalties for sex crimes are harsh, and many people find that being convicted of a sex offense has irreparable personal and professional consequences.
If you or someone you care about have been accused of a sex crime, do not wait to take action. Even if the accusation is unsubstantiated, being charged with a sex offense can have serious consequences. Contact a lawyer right away.
Avoid Contact With Your Accuser
Being accused of a sex crime can…
Continue Reading 3 Steps to Take If You Were Accused of a Sex Crime in Arlington Heights

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The offense of shoplifting, or retail theft as it is also known, is often viewed by many as a minor crime, but it is taken seriously by retailers and law enforcement. If you are caught shoplifting in Illinois, you are facing some of the strictest penalties in the nation. The definition of shoplifting is broader than you may think, encompassing many forms of deceiving retail stores and their workers.
Types of Shoplifting and Penalties in Illinois
Shoplifting is not just hiding merchandise under your shirt or in your pocket and leaving the store without paying. There are many actions…
Continue Reading What to Know About Shoplifting in Illinois

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Drag racing, car racing, and other motorsports are popular spectator sports, attracting legions of fans to large venues and small tracks all around the state. However, some car owners feel tempted to recreate the speeds of race cars on Illinois streets. Participating in street racing, also known as drag racing, is a serious traffic violation and will result in more than just a simple speeding ticket. If your actions fall under the Illinois street racing statute, you could be facing more serious penalties, including the loss of your driver’s license, fines, and even jail time.
What Counts as Street Racing…
Continue Reading Penalties for Street Racing and Drag Racing in Illinois

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Individuals in Illinois must be at least 21 years old to buy cigarettes or alcohol. However, many teens and young adults do not want to wait until they are of legal age to purchase these products or enter 21+ establishments like bars and clubs. They instead obtain a fraudulent identification card or driver’s license with the hopes of evading Illinois law.
Possessing a fake ID is a criminal offense in Illinois. It is also illegal to create or distribute a fake state ID card or driver’s license. These offenses are punishable by driver’s license suspension, heavy fines, and jail time.
Continue Reading What Happens If You Get Caught Using a Fake ID?

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Driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol puts both the driver and other individuals in danger. Consequently, Illinois punishes driving under the influence (DUI) with both criminal consequences and driver’s license suspension or revocation. If you were arrested for drunk driving in Illinois, it is important to know what to expect. Automatic license suspension follows a DUI arrest and if someone is convicted of DUI, they face driver’s license revocation.
It may be possible to reinstate your driver’s license and regain driving privileges after a DUI. However, you will need to complete several steps to do so. The exact requirements…
Continue Reading How Does My Risk Classification Affect My DUI License Reinstatement Requirements?

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Our law firm has written a number of blog posts regarding the consequences that can occur with a physician’s medical license should they find themselves facing criminal charges. This is why any type of criminal accusation – even if it is a first offense – should trigger a phone call to a skilled Illinois medical license defense attorney since there is little doubt that the criminal charges will lead to some kind of action by the Illinois Medical Board.
Self-Reporting
Although your first instinct may be to try to keep the news of your arrest as quiet as possible, Illinois…
Continue Reading Crimes of Moral Turpitude and Your Illinois Medical License

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The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects Americans’ right to own firearms. However, the right to own or carry a gun is limited by federal and Illinois laws. The Illinois Firearms Restraining Order Act, often called the “red flag law,” allows for the confiscation of an individual’s firearms and prohibits the person from purchasing additional firearms. If you own a firearm in Illinois or you are facing criminal charges related to the possession or use of a firearm, it is crucial that you understand how red flag laws can affect you.
Suspension of a Person’s Firearm Privileges
Recent school…
Continue Reading What Illinois Gun Owners Should Know About Red Flag Laws

Americans take elder abuse seriously. When evidence arises of possible exploitation, neglect or abuse of someone over aged 65, the reaction is generally swift and aggressive.

For those facing accusations of elder abuse or financial exploitation of the elderly, these accusations can come in both criminal court and in civil court. Further, the public perception is usually one of outrage. When facing allegations in the criminal courts, it takes an aggressive and experienced criminal defense lawyer who knows how to find the weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case to help you avoid a conviction and prison time.
South Florida financial exploitation…
Continue Reading Fighting back against elder abuse charges

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The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which was established in 1973, is the federal agency that is responsible for the enforcement of laws and regulations related to narcotics and controlled substances. Pharmacies and other businesses that administer, dispense, or supply controlled substances are required to register with the DEA.
Periodically – and at random – the DEA will conduct an inspection of a pharmacy in order to ensure the pharmacy is compliant and following required regulations under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). These inspections – referred to as audits – typically take place every three years or so. However, there…
Continue Reading Preparing for a DEA Pharmacy Audit

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Summer is approaching and many people are excited to enjoy summer activities like swimming, fishing, and boating. Alcohol and summer fun often go hand in hand. However, criminal charges for operating a boat under the influence of alcohol can bring summer enjoyment to an abrupt halt. If you are an Illinois resident, it is crucial that you understand state laws prohibiting boating under the influence (BUI) and the penalties associated with a BUI conviction.
Illinois Laws Regarding Drug and Alcohol Use on a Boat
Illinois Conservation Police report that 16 individuals lost their lives in boating accidents last year. Four…
Continue Reading Penalties for Boating Under the Influence in Illinois

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Given the greater monetary value of a typical vehicle, auto theft is considered a very serious crime in Illinois. However, the act of starting up someone else’s car and driving away is only one scenario that is related to the theft of motor vehicles under Illinois law. Since the theft of a motor vehicle must be proven to be an intentional act, it is essential that you work with an attorney who is experienced in motor vehicle theft cases and can build a strong defense for you.
Penalties and Stealing or Possessing a Stolen Vehicle
The act of stealing or…
Continue Reading What Are the Penalties for Stealing a Car in Illinois?

The answer is yes, if you knew the deceased had been murdered and you did something to conceal the death beyond simply withholding information. Under 720 ILCS 5/9-3.4, you commit concealment of homicidal death when you knowingly conceal a death and you knew that the person died by homicidal means. To conceal the death, you must perform an act for the purpose of preventing or delaying discovery of the murder. Death by “homicidal means” includes any legal or illegal act that causes the death. If the evidence warrants, the state may also be able to charge you with the…
Continue Reading CAN YOU GET IN TROUBLE FOR CONCEALING A HOMICIDAL DEATH IN ILLINOIS?

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Shoplifting and other forms of retail theft have been on the rise for the last few years. Many people who take something from the store without paying see the act as a victimless crime. Stealing an item from a big box store with millions of dollars in assets may seem inconsequential. However, being convicted of retail theft can have serious repercussions. In some cases, shoplifting can even be a felony offense.
If you or a loved one were accused of theft, contact a criminal defense lawyer for personalized legal help right away.
Misdemeanor Charges for Shoplifting
The severity of theft…
Continue Reading Retail Theft Can Be a Felony Offense Punishable by Serious Jail Time

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After crawling your way through traffic, the highway finally opens up with hardly another car in sight. Unfortunately for you, the first car you do see is a police car, and you were going well over the speed limit. What looked like an open highway just turned into an aggravated speeding charge. Given the severe consequences that aggravated speeding can bring in Illinois, it is best to seek out an experienced defense attorney.
Definitions and Consequences of Aggravated Speeding
Under Illinois law, if you are caught speeding 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit, you can…
Continue Reading Slow Down to Avoid Aggravated Speeding Charges in Illinois

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Like many states, Illinois has legalized the use of marijuana or cannabis. However, there are still many rules regarding how, when, and where cannabis may be used. Possessing or consuming marijuana in violation of Illinois law can lead to serious repercussions, including driver’s license suspension or even jail time. It is important for every Illinois resident to be aware of the current marijuana laws and the penalties for violating those laws.  
Possession of Marijuana is Limited
In 2020, Illinois legalized the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. You do not have to have a medical condition to be allowed to…
Continue Reading Illinois Marijuana Laws in 2022: What You Need to Know

Many years ago you were young and reckless.  You got arrested in Illinois.  You wanted to pretend your case didn’t exist, so you skipped out on your court date and eventually moved out of state.  Older and wiser, you worry that a routine traffic stop will send you back to Illinois in handcuffs.
Now, you are ready to deal with your past, clear the warrant and deal with the underlying case.  Can you put it behind you?
The answer is very likely yes.  An attorney can bring your open warrant before your original court to ask a judge to vacate…
Continue Reading CAN I CLEAR MY OLD ILLINOIS ARREST WARRANT WHEN I LIVE OUT OF STATE?