If you are facing criminal charges, you may feel like you have no options and no control over the process. You may have gotten a letter telling you to be in court at 9am and you must show up or face arrest. If you are put on pretrial supervision, you must comply with everything some probation officer tells you to do. For example, if you get a phone call telling you to come in for a drug test, you must stop whatever you are doing and comply. It is easy to feel like you have little agency left. However,…
Continue Reading The Pros and Cons of Going to Trial

As much as we would like to think that only guilty people get arrested and wind up charged with a crime, this is very much not the case. Every year, a significant number of innocent people find themselves having to plead “not guilty” at arraignment because they really did not commit the crime they are charged with – at least not knowingly. This can be a terrifying situation to be in. We have all seen documentaries about people who spent decades in prison only to be exonerated. Of course, most false charges are far less serious than homicide. Domestic…
Continue Reading Responding to a False Criminal Charge – Part 1

In Illinois, our driving under the influence laws say that it is illegal to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Clearly, your car is a vehicle, as is your family’s SUV. A big rig is very clearly a vehicle, and CDL holders may be in even more trouble for drunk-driving one. However, there is still room for debate and confusion about what else constitutes a “vehicle.” Is your bicycle a vehicle? Will you get in trouble for drunk riding your bike home from the bar to avoid driving? What if your bicycle is electric and you do…
Continue Reading What Counts as a "Vehicle" Under Illinois' DUI Laws?

Drug crimes – even simple possession – are very serious in Illinois. If you were caught with drugs other than cannabis, you are most likely looking at a felony charge. Even if you have never been in trouble with the law before, you could be convicted of a felony and sent to prison for drug possession. Most individuals who are caught with small amounts of illicit substances for personal use are not big-time dealers or traffickers – they are average people. Illinois courts recognize that people make mistakes and that not everyone caught with drugs is a serious or…
Continue Reading Is There a Diversion Program for Drug Crime Defendants?

As far as sexually-oriented offenses go, public indecency is on the less serious end of the spectrum. Often any sexual activity involved is between consenting adults, and aside from offended bystanders, there is no real victim. That said, public indecency is still a fairly serious charge. In most cases, it is a Class A Misdemeanor, the most serious category before getting into felonies. If convicted, you could face up to a year in jail or a $2,500 fine. Not to mention, you could have to register as a sex offender. The penalties actually imposed often depend very much on the…
Continue Reading Understanding Public Indecency Laws in Illinois

Drug crimes vary more than any other type of criminal offense In terms of jail sentences and other criminal penalties. The amount of jail time a person faces for a drug-related crime depends on the type of drug, the amount of the substance, and whether the person was accused of manufacturing or selling the drug as opposed to merely possessing the drug. Most people accused of a drug offense are overwhelmed and confused. They are unsure of what their rights are and what penalties they may face.
Manufacturing methamphetamine or “meth” is a felony offense in Illinois.
If you or…
Continue Reading What Are the Criminal Penalties for Manufacturing Methamphetamine in Illinois?

If you live in the Chicago area, you know that road construction is a constant concern. Because the chances of accidents are so much higher in construction zones, these areas are often subject to reduced speed limits. Illinois penalizes speeding in construction zones especially harshly. If you or a loved one were cited for speeding in a construction zone, a traffic law attorney may be able to help.
Driving Above the Speed Limit When There is a Construction Project
Construction projects may force drivers to drive in narrow lanes and dodge cones, construction workers, and machinery. Consequently, the maximum speed…
Continue Reading What You Need to Know About Speeding in a Construction Zone Tickets

Sex offenses are considered especially morally reprehensible. Allegations of sexual assault, sex abuse, rape, or a related crime can destroy a person’s life. Criminal penalties for sex crimes are harsh, and many people find that being convicted of a sex offense has irreparable personal and professional consequences.
If you or someone you care about have been accused of a sex crime, do not wait to take action. Even if the accusation is unsubstantiated, being charged with a sex offense can have serious consequences. Contact a lawyer right away.
Avoid Contact With Your Accuser
Being accused of a sex crime can…
Continue Reading 3 Steps to Take If You Were Accused of a Sex Crime in Arlington Heights

Driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol puts both the driver and other individuals in danger. Consequently, Illinois punishes driving under the influence (DUI) with both criminal consequences and driver’s license suspension or revocation. If you were arrested for drunk driving in Illinois, it is important to know what to expect. Automatic license suspension follows a DUI arrest and if someone is convicted of DUI, they face driver’s license revocation.
It may be possible to reinstate your driver’s license and regain driving privileges after a DUI. However, you will need to complete several steps to do so. The exact requirements…
Continue Reading How Does My Risk Classification Affect My DUI License Reinstatement Requirements?

Summer is approaching and many people are excited to enjoy summer activities like swimming, fishing, and boating. Alcohol and summer fun often go hand in hand. However, criminal charges for operating a boat under the influence of alcohol can bring summer enjoyment to an abrupt halt. If you are an Illinois resident, it is crucial that you understand state laws prohibiting boating under the influence (BUI) and the penalties associated with a BUI conviction.
Illinois Laws Regarding Drug and Alcohol Use on a Boat
Illinois Conservation Police report that 16 individuals lost their lives in boating accidents last year. Four…
Continue Reading Penalties for Boating Under the Influence in Illinois