Retail theft involving “smash and grabs” has been making headlines in Illinois and across the United States. Organized retail theft typically involves a group of people who work together to steal many items at once. Last year, Illinois governor JB Pritzker signed a bill addressing organized retail theft and instituting stiffer penalties for individuals convicted of organized retail theft. This legislation went into effect January 1, 2023.
If you or a loved one were charged with shoplifting or theft, make sure you understand what you are up against. Theft is often a felony offense in Illinois and the penalties for…
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Studies show that it costs well over a quarter of a million dollars to raise a child from birth through age 18. This works out to approximately $17,000 a year, not including extra costs such as private school tuition, childcare, and college expenses. Single parents need all the help they can get when it comes to paying child-related costs, which is why child support is so crucial.
If you are an unmarried parent, you may have questions about your entitlement to child support or your obligation to pay child support. How is child support calculated? What happens if you have…
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In general, an acquittal means that the court found you not guilty of the crime you were charged with. This means that the prosecution was unable to prove its case for the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. If you were acquitted of a crime, you probably assume that you do not have a criminal record. Unfortunately, this is not the case. There is a record of every arrest that occurs in Illinois. When someone has a criminal record, it is usually available for public viewing, even if the charge was later dropped or the person was acquitted of the crime.
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What used to be called “visitation” is now called “parenting time” in Illinois law. When an unmarried couple has a child or a married couple with children divorces, the parents describe the parenting time schedule in their parenting plan.
Reaching a parenting schedule that works for both parents and meets the child’s needs is not easy. It is important to take the time to get it right. Here are five questions that parents should ask themselves when developing a parenting time schedule.
Is The Proposed Schedule Realistic, Given Our Work and Travel Schedules?
Both parents need to realistically assess…
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In Illinois, breath alcohol tests or “breathalyzers” are commonly used to assess a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC). If someone’s BAC is over 0.08 percent, they are intoxicated per se, or intoxicated according to the law. A BAC over the legal limit is not always required for a drunk driving conviction. However, having a BAC of 0.08 percent or more will certainly make the chances of conviction much more likely.
Many people have questions about the accuracy of breathalyzer tests. They may have heard rumors that these devices can be incorrect or even that diets like the keto diet can…
Continue Reading Can the Keto Diet Really Lead to a False Positive on a Breathalyzer? 

If you are going through the process of getting a divorce and your spouse is abusive, you may be wondering if you need an order of protection. An order of protection is a court order that can help keep you and your children safe from abuse or threats. Sadly, abusive relationships tend to escalate when the abuse victim tries to leave the relationship. An order of protection may require your spouse to vacate your home, leave you and your children alone, and cease contact with you.
What Is an Order of Protection?
An order of protection is a legal…
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Multiple new laws went into effect January 1, 2023. Among the recent Illinois legislative changes is the SAFE-T Act, which amended prison policy, criminal sentencing, and police reforms. Whether you or a loved one are currently facing criminal charges, or you simply want to be an informed citizen, it is important to understand the changes implemented by the SAFE-T Act.
Ending of Cash Bail is Still Uncertain
The Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act or SAFE-T Act passed the Illinois legislature in 2021 but some elements of the act are still in limbo. One of the main purposes of…
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The phrase “the child’s best interests” is repeated multiple times throughout Illinois family law. When an Illinois court makes a decision about a child-related legal matter such as a divorce or child custody dispute, the court prioritizes the child’s best interests above all else. But what does this phrase mean? What does the court consider when assessing what is in the child’s best interests?
Best Interest Factors in Illinois Law
When the court is evaluating a family law case involving a child, there are specific factors the court will consider. These factors include:

• The Child’s Preferences – If the child

…
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Domestic battery is defined as causing bodily harm or making physical contact of an offensive or provoking nature with a family or household member. False accusations of domestic battery in Illinois can have a devastating impact on the accused.
The consequences for being accused and convicted of domestic battery are serious: jail time, fines, mandatory counseling, and a criminal record. Furthermore, the accused may face social stigma, job loss, and difficulty finding housing or other assistance.
If you have been arrested and charged with domestic battery, make sure to work with an attorney who will advocate on your behalf.
Illinois…
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Divorcing spouses have many additional issues to consider when they share children. In Illinois, divorcing parents are asked to provide a “parenting plan” to the court. This plan provides the basis for the child custody arrangement after the split is finalized. Developing a parenting plan is rarely simple, and there are seemingly countless factors to consider. If you are a parent who plans to divorce soon, make sure you understand your obligations and rights regarding the parenting plan.
Deadline for Filing a Parenting Plan
Illinois law allows parents 120 days to file a parenting plan after the divorce petition is…
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Whether the conviction was for DUI, domestic battery, theft, or another offense, having a criminal conviction on your record can impact your life dramatically. A criminal record can make it difficult to find and maintain employment, pursue higher education opportunities, and secure housing. Being found guilty or pleading guilty to a crime can also harm your personal reputation, because of the social stigma associated with having a criminal record.
If you have been convicted of a crime, you may be able to have your record hidden from view through a process known as record sealing. 
What is Record Sealing? …
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Modern families often have two spouses who work outside the home and earn a living. In today’s world, many wives make just as much money as their husbands – if not more. Consequently, some people wonder if alimony is even available in a 2022 divorce.  
Illinois law does allow for alimony, technically called “spousal maintenance,” during a divorce. There are a few different ways that a spouse may be entitled to maintenance payments. If you are ending your marriage, it is important to know how spousal maintenance may come into play during your divorce.
Who Can Get Spousal Maintenance?
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For college-aged individuals, fall holidays and football games often involve parties in which people are drinking alcohol and using drugs. It is not uncommon for college students to be accused of engaging in non-consensual sexual conduct during these types of events. Party attendants may be accused of having sex with someone who was too intoxicated to consent to the activity, or even charged with forcing someone to have sex against their will.
If you or your college-aged child have been accused of sexual assault or rape, make sure to secure strong legal counsel right away. Allegations like these have…
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