Scott F. Anderson

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IL defense lawyerSelf-defense is one of the most well-known pleas against violent criminal charges. People who have been charged with violent crimes such as assault or murder have been acquitted because they were able to show the court that they were trying to protect themselves or someone else.
Laws concerning self-defense are nuanced and can sometimes be complex. Some states have stand-your-ground laws, which allow individuals who are threatened with physical violence to defend themselves with deadly force in certain cases. Other states have duty-to-retreat laws, which require a person who is violently threatened to exhaust all other options before responding with
Continue Reading When Can I Claim Self-Defense in Illinois?

Arlington Heights, IL DUI defense attorneyIf you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Illinois, you might wonder if there are ways to challenge the evidence against you. One potential defense strategy involves questioning how accurate the test results are. At the Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law, our Illinois lawyer with experience as a prosecutor has unique insight into defending DUI cases and can assist in determining how to use breathalyzer flaws as a defense in DUI cases.
Common Flaws in Breathalyzer Testing
Breathalyzer devices measure the amount of alcohol in your breath to estimate your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Police
Continue Reading Can You Use a Breathalyzer Flaw as a Defense for a DUI? | IL

Arlington Heights, IL criminal defense lawyerDriving with a suspended license in Illinois is a serious offense. Many people underestimate the consequences of this action, but the penalties can be severe and long-lasting. An Illinois lawyer can explain what happens if you get caught, the potential consequences, and what steps you should take to protect your rights.
What You Should Know About Driving With a Suspended License 
Driving on a suspended license is not just a traffic violation. In Illinois, it is a criminal offense. This means that if you are caught, you will face more than just a fine or a ticket. You could
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Arlington Heights, IL carjacking defense attorneyFacing carjacking charges can be a life-altering experience as it can result in jail time, expensive fines, and lasting criminal charges on your record. The severe penalties associated with this offense make it helpful to understand your legal options and potential defense strategies. An Illinois lawyer can help you understand your carjacking charges and reveal possible defenses that may be available to you.
Possible Defenses for Carjacking Charges
When confronted with carjacking accusations, several defense strategies may be applicable:

  • Mistaken Identity: Eyewitness testimony can be unreliable. An attorney may challenge the accuracy of witness identifications.
  • Lack of Intent: Carjacking requires


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Arlington Heights, IL drivers license reinstatement lawyerLosing your driving privileges can be a significant setback, impacting your ability to work, care for your family, and maintain your independence. The path to reinstating your driver’s license is often challenging. Understanding and avoiding common mistakes can distinguish between a successful reinstatement and prolonged frustration. An Illinois lawyer can help you understand the process more effectively, increasing your chances of regaining your driving privileges.
Underestimating the Complexity of the Reinstatement Process
The Secretary of State’s office has stringent requirements that must be met before considering reinstatement. These include completing all court-mandated requirements, paying fines and fees, serving the full
Continue Reading Common Mistakes in Driver’s License Reinstatement in Illinois

IL DUI LawyerBeing charged with a DUI offense in Illinois is serious, particularly if the charges are for a second or third DUI offense. Even worse is being charged with aggravated DUI in the state, which is a Class X felony—the most serious criminal offense in Illinois. An Arlington Heights felony DUI attorney from [[time]] is necessary to build a strong defense on your behalf. Your attorney may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor to allow you to plea to a lesser offense, or if a conviction for aggravated DUI seems inevitable, negotiate for reduced sentencing.
What Makes a DUI Aggravated—and
Continue Reading What to Do if You Are Charged with Aggravated DUI in Illinois

IL defense lawyerInformation gathered from June 2023 through May 2024 showed a spike in violent crimes due primarily to robbery crimes across Chicago. Although the number of violent crimes increased, the arrest rate dropped to the lowest level in the past five years. Robberies in the city accounted for almost 38 percent of all reported crimes—an increase of 16.2 percent over the past year.
Coordinated robbery sprees across what were once some of the city’s safest neighborhoods appeared to drive the increase in the number of robberies. Since the penalties for an Illinois robbery conviction are severe, speaking to a knowledgeable Arlington
Continue Reading Chicago Violent Crime Increase Due Primarily to Robberies

IL defense lawyerYou were spending time with a few friends and contributed drugs to the gathering. Maybe you and your friends wanted to try psychedelic mushrooms together, and you were the one who happened to know a dealer who could sell you some. Or perhaps you had the opportunity to pick up some MDMA for the first time since college and wanted to share. Something went wrong that night, and you got arrested. You appear in court the next morning, expecting to be charged with simple possession or maybe some form of public intoxication, depending on what happened. You are shocked when
Continue Reading Drug Sharing and Distribution Charges

IL defense lawyerWhat do traffic cameras have to do with gun crime? According to advocates for license plate recognition technology, quite a lot. Shootings along Illinois expressways have decreased by roughly a third since the state started using this technology. These cameras also make it easier for police to track down stolen vehicles and recover guns used in crimes that offenders have discarded along highways. However, the ACLU and other civil rights organizations have opposed the use of traffic cameras to collect detailed information, including plate numbers and vehicle descriptions, citing privacy concerns. If you were recently arrested after being spotted by
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IL defense lawyerA new bill removing the requirement that positive newborn drug screenings be reported to law enforcement has just been approved by the Illinois legislature. Governor Pritzker is expected to sign the bill into law this week. This new law will come as a relief for women who have experienced addiction during their pregnancies and according to proponents, will encourage these expectant mothers to come forward and seek treatment without fear of arrest. As of now, until this law goes into effect, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is required to report the matter to law enforcement when a
Continue Reading Positive Newborn Drug Tests No Longer Sent to Police

IL defense lawyerOne of the most inconvenient parts of getting charged with or convicted of a DUI is having your driver’s license suspended. Although the city of Chicago has a rather robust public transportation system, the suburbs can be much harder to get around without driving. Some tasks, like bringing home a week’s worth of groceries, are not easily done via public transportation. Additionally, many people do not feel safe taking a bus or a train, especially after dark. If your license has been suspended for DUI, you may qualify for a restricted driving permit that allows you limited driving privileges.
Continue Reading Do I Qualify for a Hardship License?

IL defense lawyerIf you were recently arrested for a DUI, your biggest concern might be whether you will be sent to jail. Your sentence could include some jail time if you are convicted. You may have already spent a night or even a weekend in jail after your arrest while waiting to appear in front of a judge or for someone to come bail you out. Most people who have spent even a few hours in jail are not eager to repeat the experience. If this is your third or subsequent DUI, or if there were aggravating factors, you might be
Continue Reading Will I Go to Jail for a First DUI?

IL defense lawyerA first DUI can be serious depending on the circumstances, but repeat DUIs are even more of a problem. Your first DUI can be considered a one-time mistake, especially if it is your first offense ever. Courts often focus on putting first-time DUI offenders into treatment for an alcohol problem in the hopes that getting sober will prevent them from making the same mistake twice. However, those who get a second DUI are not given the same benefit of the doubt. Those who get a third DUI will be charged with a felony in Illinois. If you are re-arrested for
Continue Reading Why Repeat DUIs Are More Serious

IL defense lawyerBecoming a sex offender would have a major impact on your life. You would be subject to all sorts of restrictions and rules. You would be required to register as a sex offender and keep updating your registration periodically. The registry is public, so chances are many of the people around you would find out about your conviction. Child sex offenders are subjected to even more restrictions than those who offend against adults. If you have been accused of a sex crime in Illinois, you need an aggressive Rolling Meadows, IL criminal defense attorney to protect your rights.
Restrictions
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IL defense lawyerIn Illinois, there is an offense called drug-induced homicide. Although this crime has more in common with the offense of involuntary manslaughter, which is charged when the defendant did not mean to kill anyone, it is considered a form of murder. Drug-induced homicide is more serious than involuntary manslaughter. This law was introduced to combat the growing number of overdose deaths, most of which are caused by opiates like heroin, fentanyl, and prescription pain medications. Drug dealers, and even people who simply share drugs with people they know without charging them, can now be held accountable if someone
Continue Reading Can I Be Charged With Murder if Drugs I Sold Killed Someone?

IL defense lawyerDrug possession charges carry a lot of stigma. People may assume that you are a drug addict and that all of the negative stereotypes about people with substance abuse problems apply to you. You may find that potential employers, landlords, and even friends or family members are hesitant to trust you. While you may have been made to feel like there is no way to fight back against your drug possession charges, you may have a legal defense available. People who did not intentionally choose to have illegal substances in their possession are sometimes charged with this crime erroneously. An
Continue Reading 3 Ways to Defend a Drug Charge in Illinois