Drugs are a serious issue in Illinois. Drug offenses are reported to be one of the most common types of crime on a national scale. The crimes come in many forms and carry charges from misdemeanors to felonies. But which drug crimes are the most common? No matter which drug charges you may be facing, it is always a good idea to have an experienced criminal defense attorney available to defend your rights.
Possession of Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia
It is unlawful in the state of Illinois to possess a controlled substance, as is the possession of drug paraphernalia. Possession…
Continue Reading The Most Common Drug Crimes in Illinois

Driving on a suspended license in Illinois is a serious offense. It is a criminal offense that can result in fines, jail time, and other penalties. The severity of the penalties will depend on the circumstances of the case, such as the reason for the suspension, your driving history, and whether you have any prior convictions for driving on a suspended license.
Anyone who is charged with driving on a suspended license in Illinois should contact a criminal defense lawyer. Even if you think you have a good case, it is important to have a criminal defense lawyer represent…
Continue Reading How Serious Can It Be to Drive on a Suspended License?

It is illegal in Illinois to drive while using a handheld cell phone, texting, or using other electronic communication devices. This includes laptops, tablets, and other portable electronics. Using one of these devices while operating a vehicle is considered distracted driving. However, there are a few exceptions to this law, including reporting an emergency.
If you are charged with a traffic violation for talking on your cell phone while driving and you were reporting an emergency, you may be able to get the charge dismissed. To do this, you will need to provide evidence that you were reporting an…
Continue Reading Can I Use My Cell Phone to Report an Emergency While Driving?

In Illinois, it is prohibited to have illicit drugs such as cocaine or heroin. But what many people do not know is that even if controlled substances are absent, you could still face drug paraphernalia charges. That is because drug paraphernalia could be used for drug-related activities and it could land you in big legal trouble. You need an Illinois attorney who has helped many people in similar situations.
What is Drug Paraphernalia?
According to the Drug Paraphernalia Control Act, objects that are intended for the consumption, storage, or packaging of illegal drugs are considered drug paraphernalia. Here…
Continue Reading Could You Face Drug Charges if There are No Drugs in Sight?

The police can only decide who to arrest during a domestic disturbance call based on what they see after they arrive. What they see may be misleading and not representative of what actually happened. Often, the perpetrator of domestic violence is calm when the police arrive because they have been in complete control of the situation. The victim, however, is more likely to be in a highly emotional state due to having just been assaulted. Additionally, domestic abusers have a tendency to lie and blame the victim in order to avoid being arrested. There have been cases where the police…
Continue Reading What to do if You Were Arrested for Domestic Violence While Defending Yourself

Facing a DUI charge can have serious consequences, but it is important to remember that failing a standardized sobriety test is not an automatic conviction. There are several defense strategies that skilled DUI attorneys can employ to challenge the validity and reliability of these tests. Today, we will explore potential defense strategies to consider when faced with a DUI charge after failing a standardized field sobriety test. 
Questioning the Test Accuracy
Standardized field sobriety tests, such as the walk-and-turn, one-leg-stand, and horizontal gaze nystagmus tests, rely on the subjective interpretation of the arresting officer. Many factors can influence these tests,…
Continue Reading Defense Strategies Against DUI Charges After Failing a Standardized Field Sobriety Test

One of the major sources of anxiety for many high school students revolves around what they will do after graduating. Times have changed quite a bit since the youth of today’s parents and grandparents were young. A high school diploma is unlikely to help you get the job you truly want. There are fewer options for entering the workforce directly after high school, and the types of jobs that will hire recent high school graduates rarely pay well. For many if not most teenagers, going to college and pursuing a professional career is their preferred option. However, with the high…
Continue Reading Will a Juvenile Conviction Hurt My Chances of College Admission?

Jail time is not the only penalty or consequence of a criminal conviction. You may feel other impacts in your life because you have a criminal record. One potential effect is the loss of your ability to own a firearm, depending on your type of conviction. An Illinois criminal defense attorney can advise of what may happen if you are convicted and your possible legal options. 
Forcible Felony Convictions Means the Loss of Gun Ownership Rights
In Illinois, each gun owner must have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card (FOID). Without a FOID, you cannot legally buy or own a…
Continue Reading Can I Own Firearms After a Criminal Conviction?

Plea deals, plea bargains, and plea agreements are all terms used to describe a situation in which a criminal defendant pleads guilty to a crime in order to receive a benefit of some kind. Although “true crime” television shows would lead most people to believe that nearly every criminal case ends up at trial, plea deals are actually very common in criminal cases.
When you are charged with a crime and the prosecution offers you a plea deal, you should take time to consider all the options before making a decision. Each case is different and there is no one-size-fits-all…
Continue Reading Should I Take a Plea Deal? 

Everybody has the right to defend themselves and protect themselves from harm. However, proving that an action was taken in self-defense is a complicated legal undertaking. If you or a loved one were charged with assault, battery, aggravated assault, or aggravated battery for acting in self-defense, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure what to do next.
One of the first steps you should take if you are accused of any violent crime is to secure legal counsel. An experienced criminal defense attorney will be able to evaluate your specific case and help you determine the next steps.
What…
Continue Reading What if I Was Charged With Assault for Defending Myself?

Consider the following scenario: A woman goes out to a bar with her friends after work. One glass of wine quickly turns into an entire bottle, and before she knows it, she is too intoxicated to drive home. In order to avoid the chances of being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), she decides to sleep in her car for a few hours and then drive home once she has sobered up. However, she soon wakes up to a knock at her window and a police officer arrests her for drunk driving.
Situations like these often come as…
Continue Reading Warning: You Can Be Arrested For Drunk Driving Even If You Were Not Driving