Leaving the scene of an accident – also called a hit-and-run – can be a felony offense in Illinois. It's far more serious than a mere traffic ticket. If convicted, you could be looking at jail time, steep fines and loss of your driver's license – not to mention a...
Criminal defense
Gun charges for out-of-state residents arrested in Illinois
Illinois has strict requirements for those seeking to legally carry a firearm. You must have a Firearm Owners Identification card (FOID), issued by Illinois state police, in order to possess a gun or ammunition. But what if you live out of state and have a permit to...
2 reasons why felony charges can follow you even without a conviction
Felony charges are the most serious type of criminal offense. They can result in a lengthy prison sentence and other harsh consequences. Getting the charges dropped or securing an acquittal is a major victory for those charged with felonies. However, you may still...
K-9 alerts: how reliable are they?
K-9 units for police are a heavily utilized tool to allow for vehicle searches. In a perfect scenario, the dog will smell possible narcotics, and the police will search the car and make an arrest. However, that scenario is not always the case. The fact is k-9 units...
The high cost of driving under the influence of marijuana
While we all know that you should not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, sometimes mistakes happen. One mistake should not mean the end of your driving privileges or your clean record. If law enforcement arrests you for driving under the influence of...
How assault accusations affect college students
Assault and battery are serious offenses in Illinois. While they’re generally misdemeanors, they are still considered violent crimes. A conviction can result in lasting consequences such as jail time, probation, steep fines and a permanent criminal record. For college...
How serious is a shoplifting charge?
Shoplifting – called “retail theft” in Illinois – is a specific type of theft involving taking merchandise from a retail establishment without payment. As with other types of theft, the severity of the charge depends on the value of the stolen goods. If convicted of...
What grounds do police need to have to pull you over?
Every driver knows the fear and dread that comes with seeing flashing lights in your rearview mirror. When you get pulled over, even if you feel you’ve done nothing wrong, you’re in a situation of imbalanced power. The police have all the authority in that moment....
What is the penalty for a Class X felony?
A Class X felony is the most serious felony you can commit in Illinois. If convicted of a Class X felony, the judge must sentence you to a minimum number of years in jail. With other categories of certain felony convictions, the judge may have discretion to provide an...
How could Chicago’s new policy impact police foot chases?
The ways police handle their duties have come under more scrutiny over the last few years. Recent deaths and questionable practices have led to politicians and officers creating new policies to keep more people safer. Earlier this year, in response to a couple of last...