Tipsters Could Receive Payment for Reporting Criminal Misconduct on Corporations
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a pilot program to launch later this year that would see non-culpable whistleblowers receive monetary payments in exchange for information of corporate malfeasance. The program was revealed recently by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco at a legal conference. While there are already avenues for whistleblowers to report to other federal agencies already in place, Monaco stated that the existing programs “are limited in scope,” and “don’t address the full range of corporate and financial misconduct that the department prosecutes.” The program will appear to
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DUI if Your BAC is Below the Legal Limit in Illinois
Under Illinois law, it is illegal for drivers aged 21 and older to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. For commercial drivers, that legal limit is 0.04 percent. If the driver is under 21, then they are subject to the state’s zero-tolerance policy that prohibits any detectable amount of alcohol in the driver’s system while driving.
Despite these legal limits, there are still some situations where a driver can be charged with DUI even if tests show a BAC under the legal limit. If you have been charged with drunk driving,…
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Legal Strategies for Fighting Theft Charges in Illinois
Facing theft charges can be an incredibly overwhelming experience. The consequences of a conviction can have far-reaching impacts on your life, including potential fines, probation, or even jail time. However, it is crucial to understand that you have legal rights and options to defend yourself against these charges. An Illinois lawyer can help you explore potential legal strategies for fighting theft charges.
Challenging the Evidence
One of the most effective strategies in defending against theft charges is to challenge the evidence presented by the prosecution. In Illinois, the burden of proof lies with the state, and they must prove their…
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Fleeing a DUI Stop in Illinois
Being pulled over after you have been drinking can be frightening and can sometimes cause drivers to make poor decisions due to their panic. When you see a police officer behind your vehicle with their emergency red-and-blue lights flashing, you are legally required to pull over as soon as you can safely do so. While it is understandable that some intoxicated drivers may resist stopping out of fear of being charged with a DUI, doing so can lead to additional charges for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. Having these charges, in addition to a DUI,…
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6 Ways Illinois Residents Can Still Get in Trouble for Cannabis
Recreational cannabis use has been legal for adults over 21 years old in Illinois for years now. Legalization was widely regarded as a step towards reducing the number of people who are incarcerated for very minor drug crimes. Most people can purchase, possess, and use reasonable amounts of marijuana legally. However, there are still situations where an Illinois resident can face criminal prosecution for cannabis-related crimes. THC products are generally legal but regulated. If you have been arrested in Illinois for a cannabis charge, it is important to consult with a DuPage County drug crimes attorney immediately. Some…
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Developing a strong defense against gun charges
Owning a firearm is a right afforded by the second amendment, and many residents in Illinois choose to exercise this right. While this is established to be a right, it is a right that could be revoked if one is convicted of a serious crime. The misuse or mishandling of a firearm could have dire consequences. And facing allegation of a gun crime could impact the accused significantly.
It can be an overwhelming experience, as gun charges carry with them significant penalties. Fortunately, there are several defense options available to those facing this or other weapons charges.
Gun crimes
At…
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Charges Dropped Mid-Trial in Eagles Memorabilia Case
Prosecutors Dismisses Charges Against Three Men Accused of Stealing Hand Written Notes Containing Hotel California Lyrics
Earlier this week, prosecutors abruptly dismissed a case, in the middle of trial, against three men accused of stealing the hand written notes of Eagles co-founder Don Henley that contained the original lyrics for popular songs such as “Hotel California” and others by the band. On trial were three, well-established figures in the collectibles world, who had come into possession of the notes after Henley give them to a writer from a never published Eagles biography, who later sold them to one of the…
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Classified Information Exchanged on Dating Site
Retired Veteran Accused of Leaking Sensitive Information to Ukrainian Woman
A retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, David Franklin Slater, 63, was recently arrested and is accused of leaking highly sensitive information to a purportedly Ukrainian woman he had met online and conversed with via an unnamed dating site. Slater had a Top-Secret Security clearance while he was employed as a civilian Air Force employee assigned to United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), the U.S. military combatant command responsible for nuclear deterrence and nuclear command and control headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. He is accused of communicating with an unnamed…
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Motor Vehicle Theft is a Common Crime in Chicago
The popularity of TikTok videos has fueled the theft of motor vehicles in the past few years. In 2023, there were a reported 29,063 stolen vehicles in the Windy City. Earlier this year, there were 457 vehicles stolen in a single week.
If you have been accused of stealing a motor vehicle in Chicago, you deserve dependable legal counsel. Our Chicago motor vehicle theft attorney would like to discuss the legal implications of motor vehicle theft charges.
Illinois Law Against Car Theft
According to 625 ILCS 5/4-103, you will be considered in possession of a stolen motor vehicle if…
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What Happens If I Violate My Probation in Illinois?
If you are convicted of a crime in Illinois, one of the potential sentences is that you can receive probation. Although probation does mean the convicted individual avoids jail time, there are constraints put in place that he or she must follow, or they risk violating their probation, which can lead to additional legal problems. Speaking with an Illinois criminal defense lawyer is critical if you have been charged with any crime or are accused of violating your probation.
What Is Probation?
The goal of probation is to rehabilitate a person who has been convicted by providing them…
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Biden Administration Asks Court to Allow Extension of Controversial Surveillance Program Before April Expiration
Federal Government Seeks to Extend Authorization of Warrantless Surveillance
The Biden Administration announced that it would seek will ask a court to renew the certification necessary to conduct surveillance authorized by a controversial surveillance program, set to expire in April, referred to colloquially as Section 702, a Justice Department (DOJ) official said. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is a provision that was added in 2008 that authorizes the U.S. government to target non-U.S. persons reasonably believed to be outside the United States to acquire “foreign intelligence information.” This includes the interception of electronic communications, such as…
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The Mutual Combat Defense in Illinois
Two adults in Illinois can willingly decide to fight. This is in fact, fairly common. In some cases, adults decide to fight for recreational purposes, and it is quite clear that both parties consented to the combat. For example, if you participate in an organized wrestling or martial arts competition, you probably have to sign a document agreeing to experience physical contact that would otherwise be considered criminal assault. In other cases, it is less clear whether both adults implicitly agreed to fight each other. Bar fights are a fairly common example of a physical struggle that may or may…
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What you need to know about the Illinois ‘Castle Doctrine’
Allegations of any criminal wrongdoing can threaten your freedom and your future. Accusations pertaining to violent crimes, though, can be especially threatening. And all too often, individuals who were acting within their rights at the time of the alleged offense are arrested, convicted, and stripped of their liberty, all because they don’t know how to properly defend themselves.
But how can you effectively defend yourself against allegations of violent crime? One of the strongest defense strategies that you might be able to utilize is self-defense. In this post, we want to look at Illinois’ self-defense law and how you might…
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Supreme Court to Weigh Scope of Federal Bribery Statute
US Supreme Court to Review Potential Limits of Statute
A case pending before the Supreme Court, Snyder v. United States, is set for oral arguments on April 14, 2024, with a ruling expected in the following months which could impact how and when the federal government prosecutes individuals under what is titled Theft or Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds or section 666 of Title 18 of the United States Code. At issue is whether the statute encompasses conduct other than a “quid-pro-quo” for an official act from a public official. In other words, does an after-the-fact reward that…
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Will Underage Drinking Affect My Child’s Future?
Despite popular portrayal online and in the media, underage drinking does have serious consequences. When your child is arrested for underage drinking, the penalties she faces may be serious, and she may have a permanent mark on her record. An experienced Illinois criminal defense lawyer is essential to advocating for reduced consequences if your under-21 child has been caught drinking.
Penalties for Underage Drinking in Illinois
The State of Illinois takes underage drinking very seriously, and there are consequently serious penalties when an underaged young adult is caught drinking. In Illinois, underage drinking is considered a misdemeanor offense.
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CAN I BE CHARGED WITH DUI IF I HAVE A MEDICAL CANNABIS CARD?
The answer is yes. But your cannabis card makes a difference as to what the state must prove.
As of January 1, 2020, you may legally consume certain amounts of cannabis if you are over age 21. If you have a medical cannabis card, you may only be prosecuted for a marijuana DUI if you drove impaired. Without the card, you may be prosecuted if you were over the legal limit: a delta-9-THC concentration of either 5 nanograms per milliliter of whole blood or 10 nanograms per milliliter of another bodily substance. This limit does not apply if you…
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