Not to be confused with criminal negligence, reckless homicide involves the “reckless behavior” of an individual which results in the death of another person. Most states place reckless homicide on the same level as involuntary manslaughter. In Illinois, reckless homicide is sometimes referred to as vehicular homicide and can often be difficult to prove in a court of law. Defendants needing assistance in their case would do well to consult with a criminal defense attorney experienced in reckless homicide charges.
What is Criminal Negligence?
A criminally negligent act involves an individual behaving outside of the standard for a reasonable person…
Continue Reading What You Need to Know About Reckless Homicide

Marijuana is officially legal in Illinois, and individuals can purchase it from a licensed dispensary as long as they can show a valid photo ID. However, there are still ways that possessing or smoking marijuana can still get you into trouble with the law. When facing possession charges for drugs, it is important to contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Remaining proactive can help your attorney formulate a solid defense to any charges being levied against you.
How Much is Too Much?
In Illinois, it is legal to possess marijuana in quantities of 30 grams or less. Individuals carrying this…
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Sexual misconduct allegations for “date rape” carry with them severe consequences on more than just a legal level. False allegations of this kind can create a ripple effect throughout many aspects of your life, causing immense harm and crippling its potential. You will want to secure yourself a skilled lawyer experienced in defending clients against sex crime charges to help keep your head above water throughout the entire ordeal.
What is “Date Rape”?
When one person or party sexually assaults another person or party with penetration, that is considered rape. Date rape often occurs in a social situation…
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When a person commits a crime against another person or group based on their gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation, that is considered a hate crime. Hate crimes can be both non-violent and violent. Stalking and harassment can be just as much a hate crime as theft or assault. The difficulty is proving whether a crime is hateful or just a crime. A skilled defense attorney can help protect your rights and defend you in court if you are accused of a hate crime.
Proving a Hate Crime
A prosecutor must convince the judge or jury that the…
Continue Reading How Does a Hate Crime Affect Assault Charges?

When an officer pulls you over under suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) they may request you to take a field sobriety test. A field sobriety test may consist of blowing into a breathalyzer or an array of physical feats such as walking a straight line and turning or standing on one leg. Individuals facing DUI charges should consult a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. They can defend you against these charges and fight to get them reduced or thrown out.
Am I Legally Required to Take a Field Sobriety Test?
The short answer is no. You…
Continue Reading The Role of Field Sobriety Tests in Illinois DUI Arrests

The outcome of your criminal defense case can depend on the quality of who you choose to defend you. Selecting the right attorney is almost as important as winning the case outright. No matter what you are being accused of, be it drug charges, sex offenses, or violent crimes, a good lawyer can be the difference between walking away or going away for a long time.
Do They Have a Good Reputation?
Choose an attorney who is respected. An attorney with a good reputation should have references or testimonials from past clients to back it up. Do…
Continue Reading How to Choose the Right Criminal Defense Attorney in Illinois

A police officer who suspects you to have been driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol can pull you over and request a breathalyzer test. Illinois law considers driving a privilege, and as such, once you are behind the wheel of a vehicle you are giving implied consent to being tested.
Refusal of a breathalyzer test can result in serious legal consequences even if you have not been drinking at all. For this reason, it is important to hire legal representation to help fight any charges you might be facing.
Implied Consent
Illinois is an “implied consent“…
Continue Reading The Legal Consequences of Refusing Breathalyzer Tests in Illinois

Illinois is one of eight states where the legal age of consent for sexual contact is 17 years old. Anyone who engages in sexual activity with a partner under the age of consent is breaking the law and can be charged with crimes ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony. This includes minors with adults as well as minors with other minors.
Are you being accused of criminal sexual abuse or assault? Then it is in your best interest to speak to a lawyer immediately. These are serious crimes with serious penalties, and you need someone on your side…
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Sex crime cases are some of the most serious and sensitive cases that can be prosecuted. The accused faces the possibility of long prison sentences, registration as a sex offender, and other lifelong consequences.
It is important to have experienced legal representation in these cases to protect your rights and interests. The sooner you get legal representation, the better your chances of a positive outcome.
A criminal defense attorney in Illinois can help you in many ways in a sex crime case. They can:

• Investigate the case and gather evidence to support your defense
• Negotiate with the prosecutor to try

…
Continue Reading The Importance of Legal Representation in Sex Crime Cases

As a parent, you must understand how to mount a defense when your child has been charged with criminal trespass in Illinois. There are a few common defenses that can be used in this scenario. These defenses can help make it easier on your child when dealing with the legal repercussions of the charges they may be facing.
To understand the legal proceedings, when a child is charged with criminal trespass, it is important to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. An Illinois criminal defense attorney can help you understand the charges against your child and develop a…
Continue Reading What Are Defenses to a Juvenile Criminal Trespass Charge?

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense. Any DUI charges can lead to serious penalties, including large fines, possible jail time, and the loss of your driver’s license. However, there are some issues that can make DUI charges even more serious, and in some cases, felony charges may apply. 
Child passengers are one issue that can increase the severity of DUI charges. Depending on whether you had any previous DUI convictions and whether the child suffered an injury, these cases can have legal consequences that will follow you for the rest of your life. If you are facing…
Continue Reading How Will the Presence of a Child Passenger Affect DUI Charges?