In Illinois, when people are arrested, the evidence is obviously a critical part of whether they will be convicted or acquitted. As they craft a defense, they might think about their situation and if there is a rational explanation for what they have been accused of doing. There are other strategies that can be effective as part of a legal defense. Calling into question the justification for the law enforcement investigation is one way to combat a criminal case.
The line of legality regarding marijuana has been somewhat confusing as more and more states are legalizing it. For those under…
Continue Reading New marijuana law could protect people from vehicle searches

Generally, motorists in Illinois want to drive responsibly, but the unfortunate fact is that when a person chooses to drive drunk, they put other motorists and passengers at risk of death and injury even if they do not mean to do so.
Currently, there are enhanced penalties when a drunk driver causes a fatal accident. A bill introduced this legislative session, referred to as “Lindsey’s Law,” would make these penalties even harsher.
Current law
Under current Illinois law, if a person drives under the influence of alcohol and causes a crash that results in the death of one person, they…
Continue Reading SB1405 addresses fatal drunk driving crashes that cause injury

Not all drug crimes are committed with nefarious intent or as mere money-grabs. Oftentimes addiction drives a person to commit a drug crime.
If so, is it better to simply lock away the user and throw away the key? Or should a person who is addicted to drugs and subsequently commits a drug crime be given the chance of rehabilitation?
Drug courts in Illinois
Illinois recognizes that many people who commit drug crimes need help more than they need to be punished. For this reason, there are drug court programs that some people might qualify for, as an alternative to…
Continue Reading Some drug offenders need help, not a prison sentence

For many Illinois residents, a traffic ticket is little more than an inconvenience. They get the ticket, pay the fine and forget about it.
For others, a traffic ticket can be a much more serious matter. For a driver who has a lot of points on their record, a new traffic ticket could mean having their driver’s license suspended.
What is the points system?
The Illinois points system is quite complex. In this blog post, we will give a general overview.
After certain traffic offenses, a driver will have their license immediately suspended or even revoked. Many others have no…
Continue Reading Traffic tickets and the Illinois points system