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b2ap3_thumbnail_shutterstock_1848965575.jpgOn January 1, 2020, marijuana became legal for recreational use in Illinois. While the state had previously allowed marijuana to be used for medical purposes by people who had received a state-issued medical registration card, all adult residents of the state and visitors from other states are now allowed to possess and use marijuana. However, there are certain limits that apply to recreational use of marijuana, and people may still face drug charges if they violate the state’s marijuana laws.

Drug Charges for Possession or Distribution of Marijuana
The Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act made it legal for adults
Continue Reading Can People in Illinois Face Drug Charges Related to Marijuana?

chicago defense lawyerGas prices have skyrocketed over the decades and paying for fuel is one of the most onerous aspects of car ownership. However, the State of Illinois gives no free passes for gas theft. The crime is punished harshly, with serious consequences that can upend your life. Gas theft takes many different forms. The offender may drive to the gas station and siphon gas directly into his vehicle or walk to the pump and fill a jerry can or barrel.
If you are charged with the crime of gas theft, you have the right to legal representation. An experienced criminal
Continue Reading What Are the Consequences for Stealing Gas in Illinois?

chicago criminal defense lawyerIf you are accused of domestic violence, you may also be the subject of a protective order. Courts issue protective orders to preserve the safety and well-being of domestic violence victims. They may be imposed if the offender allegedly abused, harassed, or intimated the victim. An order is also warranted if the personal liberty of the victim was allegedly violated, or they were willfully deprived of basic necessities so as to put them at risk of physical, mental or emotional harm.
Protective orders are issued when an alleged victim is threatened or harmed by a former or current household
Continue Reading What Are the Consequences for Violating a Protective Order in Illinois?

IL criminal lawyerThere is no doubt that domestic violence is a real concern in the Chicago area. On average, more than 500 people call domestic violence hotlines every day in the Chicago area.
The state of Illinois takes domestic battery and family violence very seriously. Individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses often face lengthy prison sentences and other serious consequences. Sadly, some people use Illinois’s strict policies to “punish” or get revenge on others by reporting false accusations of domestic violence.
If you or a loved one were accused of domestic violence by a current or former romantic partner, household member,
Continue Reading Responding to False Allegations of Domestic Assault

IL DUI lawyerBreath interlock ignition devices connect to a car, truck, van, or other vehicle and control the vehicle’s ignition switch. In order for the ignition to engage and the vehicle to start normally, the driver must submit a breath sample into the mouthpiece of the device by blowing into it. The device analyzes the driver’s breath for alcohol. If the device registers any more than a negligible amount of alcohol on the driver’s breath, the car will not start. If the breath sample contains no alcohol, the car starts normally. Read on to learn about how Breath Alcohol Interlock Ignition Devices
Continue Reading Will I Have to Get a Breath Interlock Ignition Device for a DUI in Illinois?

IL defense lawyerUnfortunately, a surprising number of people find themselves the victims of assault, battery, and other violent offenses every year in Illinois. Even more shocking, many of these people end up being the person who is charged with a violent criminal offense. If you were charged with a violent offense after defending yourself in a robbery, fight, or attack, you may be bewildered and unsure of what to do. The first step is to assert your right to remain silent and contact a lawyer for help. You could be facing life-altering consequences, including considerable jail time.
Can I Face Charges
Continue Reading Illinois Law Regarding Self Defense and Assault Charges

IL defense lawyerAccording to national statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, July 4 is one of the most dangerous days of the year for fatal car accidents involving alcohol. Drinking is a part of many Fourth of July celebrations, and understandably, law enforcement officers in Illinois and throughout the U.S. are always on high alert for drivers who show signs of impairment. A DUI arrest could easily ruin your holiday weekend, especially if you are in an accident resulting in injury or death. You should be careful to avoid putting yourself in a situation in which you could face
Continue Reading How to Avoid DUI Charges on Holiday Weekends

IL defense lawyerFatal car accidents are a sad reality in Illinois, with around 1,000 people losing their lives each year. These crashes are an undeniable tragedy for the victims and their families, and they can also be incredibly difficult for the other drivers involved, who are left to cope with the mental impact and the legal consequences they may face in civil and criminal court. If you have been involved in a fatal car crash, you could face homicide and other felony charges, and it is important to work with an attorney who can help you protect your rights.
Understanding Reckless Homicide
Continue Reading Can I Be Charged with Homicide Due to an Illinois Car Accident?

IL defense lawyerBurglary is commonly thought of as being synonymous with theft, but its legal definition is significantly more complicated. If you have been charged with a form of burglary in Illinois, it is crucial that you understand what you have been accused of and the severity of the possible penalties you may face. An experienced attorney can not only ensure that you are well-informed but can also provide you with the defense you need to protect your rights.
What Is Burglary?
According to Illinois law, burglary at its most basic is defined as unlawfully entering or staying in someone else’s
Continue Reading Defending Against Burglary Charges in Illinois

IL defense lawyerEven though the right to own firearms is written into our country’s constitution, gun ownership has been a highly contested issue in the United States for years. Illinois was the last state in the country to legalize the concealed carry of firearms in 2013, finally allowing its citizens to keep a firearm on their person without it being in plain sight. To legally practice this right, however, you must follow certain rules and procedures, or you could face criminal charges.
Gun Ownership Laws
In the state of Illinois, you are permitted to own firearms, but only after you have received
Continue Reading What Are the Laws on Concealed Carry of Firearms in Illinois?

b2ap3_thumbnail_drugs_20210331-223128_1.jpgIn Illinois, the criminal consequences for possession of illicit substances vary significantly by the type and quantity of the drug. Possession of cocaine or heroin are felony offenses punishable by several years to several decades in prison. The greater the quantity of the substances allegedly in your possession, the harsher the penalties. Second or subsequent offenses and cases involving certain aggravating factors such as possession near a school are penalized more heavily. Criminal charges for possession of an illicit substance have the potential to dramatically impact your life. If you have been arrested for possession of heroin or cocaine, it
Continue Reading Defense Strategies for Criminal Charges Related to Possession of Heroin or Cocaine

IL criminal lawyerFebruary is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, which brings to light domestic abuse issues. This past year has been difficult for many people due to the health and economic crisis caused by COVID-19. Unfortunately, this hardship has led to more reports of domestic violence in U.S. households. Spouses or romantic partners who have lost relatives to the virus or who are facing financial crisis due to a job loss may take out their anger and frustrations on each other. Arguments are normal within relationships, but when disputes turn to physical altercations, criminal charges can be filed. In some cases,
Continue Reading Has COVID-19 Led to an Increase in Reports of Domestic Abuse?

The start of a brand-new year often means the passage of new laws, which may affect certain criminal offenses. New Illinois legislation going into effect in 2021 includes increasing the minimum wage, capping the out-of-pocket costs for insulin, and enhancing the penalties for speeding in the city of Chicago. Beginning on March 1, 2021, any person driving 6-10 miles per hour (mph) over the speed limit in Chicago speed camera zones will receive a ticket. Motorists traveling 6-10 mph over the speed limit will be fined $35, and those traveling 11 miles or more over the speed limit will be
Continue Reading New Illinois Law Impacts Traffic Violations in Speed Camera Zones

Although a limited amount of recreational marijuana is legal in some states now, including Illinois, there are still many drugs that are considered illegal in the state. To combat the prevalence of drug use and its negative consequences, the Illinois Controlled Substances Act criminalizes the knowing possession, manufacture, and delivery of specific controlled substances. Under this law, certain dangerous drugs are categorized by Schedules. The possession of drugs like heroin or cocaine can carry significant penalties, such as a long time behind bars. In addition, if someone possesses certain drugs and intends to sell them, the punishments increase. A criminal
Continue Reading What Are the Illinois Penalties for Possession of Heroin or Cocaine?

Many people think the terms assault and battery are synonymous. However, under Illinois law, they are two separate criminal offenses. Assault is defined as the threat of bodily harm that causes fear of harm to the victim. Battery is actual physical harm to another person. The penalties for these crimes can range from fines to jail time. In some cases, there are factors that elevate the crime to aggravated charges, which result in harsher punishments. A conviction for aggravated battery can impact a person’s professional and personal life. An experienced criminal defense attorney can explain the potential implications, and provide
Continue Reading How Are Criminal Charges of Battery Punished in Illinois?

When you hear the word “fraud,” you may imagine some form of theft or deceitful behavior. Fraud is often generally defined as “any act in which one person intentionally misrepresents an existing fact to another in order to induce the other person to act or to gain something of value.” It is important to note that there can be many actions that may be considered a type of fraud. In some cases, an individual may not even know what constitutes this type of crime. Illinois law defines seven categories under which criminal charges of fraud can be filed. The penalties
Continue Reading What Are the Different Types of Fraud Charges in Illinois?