Posted on January 31, 2023 in Drug Offenses

Laws on the use of medical marijuana vary greatly from state to state, but Illinois is one state that allows medical marijuana under certain circumstances. However, the line between medical and recreational use can easily become muddled if laws are misunderstood.

What are the consequences for marijuana use? What are the differences between using medical and recreational marijuana in Illinois?

Recreational marijuana use

In Illinois, any use of marijuana outside of prescribed medical purposes is illegal. This includes possessing, using, selling, or cultivating it. The penalties for marijuana use in Illinois include fines and jail time, and the severity of each of these increases based on how much marijuana someone possesses. Even small amounts of marijuana can lead to at least a year in jail and very significant fines. Offenses can also have large consequences in a person’s future.

Medical marijuana use

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 Posted on January 31, 2023 in Drug Offenses

A scary time in the lives of many parents occurs when they begin to suspect their teens are using drugs. Whatever the causes for suspicion, it is important for parents to remain relatively calm and to take action as soon as possible. Below are a few ideas of what you can do if you think your teen is using.

Discuss

Chat with your teen, and try to do so in the most comfortable and welcoming situation. For instance, have the discussion while playing basketball, watching TV or knitting. Making a big deal out of, “I want to talk to you,” could make the teen defensive.

You know your teen well, so use your judgment when opening the conversation and asking relevant questions. Saying something such as, “Do you feel like you’re angrier lately?” is better than, “Why are you so emotional lately? Is it drugs?” Frame your concerns in terms of the teen’s behavior rather than any firm conclusions you may seem to have.

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 Posted on January 26, 2023 in Sex Offenses

One of the unfortunate truths about being accused of a sex crime is that the accusation can have a serious impact on your reputation before you are even formally charged. In today’s political and social climate, just the rumor of having committed a sex crime could be enough to cost you your job and your relationships. However, a conviction can cause irreparable damage to your reputation and lead to significant criminal penalties, including imprisonment.

Fortunately, you do not have to face charges of sex crimes on your own. The law says that those accused of sex crimes are innocent until proven guilty. The U.S. Constitution also gives criminal defendants the right to be represented by an attorney. If you or a loved one were charged with sexual assault, date rape, online solicitation, or another sex crime, make sure to contact an experienced Illinois sex crimes defense lawyer who can help you build a strong defense against the charges.

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 Posted on January 03, 2023 in DUI Law

A drunk driving charge in Illinois can come with a range of penalties that may impact the rest of your life. If convicted of this offense, you could find yourself behind bars, paying expensive fines and dealing with the effects of a mark on your criminal record. It is important to take a DUI seriously, even if it is your first offense. It may come as a surprise to you to learn that you could face these types of criminal charges even if you have not consumed any alcohol.

A specific medical condition called auto-brewery syndrome could cause the body to naturally produce alcohol. This means that you could have an elevated blood alcohol content level and demonstrate signs of possible intoxication without even one sip of an alcoholic beverage. There have been cases in which drivers have received DUIs, only to learn later that they suffered from this type of medical condition.

What is gut fermentation syndrome?

Auto-brewery syndrome, also called gut fermentation syndrome, is a rare condition. It develops when there is an overgrowth of certain types of fungi in a person's gut, causing the body to convert carbohydrates into alcohol. There can be a connection between this and other types of underlying medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, diabetes and more. Symptoms of this illness are similar to signs of intoxication, including:

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 Posted on October 17, 2022 in DUI Law

The men and women who operate large trucks and commercial vehicles play a critical role in the economy. They are responsible for the transportation of goods across the country, and many aspects of daily life are dependent on the safe operation of these types of vehicles. Because of the larger size and heavier weight of semitrailers and commercial trucks, truck drivers bear a special responsibility to drive safely and adhere to the rules of the road.

This is why Illinois laws are stricter for commercial drivers than they are for regular license holders. If you are a commercial driver, it will benefit you to understand what these laws are and how you can protect your career. One DUI can impact your job and your ability to provide for your family. If you are facing drunk driving charges, you will benefit from understanding how you can protect yourself and your commercial driver's license.

Held to a higher standard

For most drivers, the blood alcohol content limit is .08%. This means that police will not arrest a driver with a BAC lower than that amount unless there are extenuating circumstances. For a truck driver or someone with a CDL, however, the BAC limit is .04%. It is possible that you could face a serious threat to your career and other consequences, even if you do not feel drunk or only after one or two drinks. After pulling you over for a suspected DUI, police may take your CDL, and you may need a temporary permit to drive.

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 Posted on September 23, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Criminal charges of any kind may result in grave consequences with long-reaching effects in your life, regardless of your age or the allegations against you. However, if you or your child is facing juvenile criminal charges, what you are up against will be different from what you could face in the adult criminal justice system. It may be helpful to understand exactly what to expect and how you can protect your interests.

The penalties associated with many juvenile crimes are not as detrimental as those for adults who commit crimes, but it is still critical to take your situation seriously. All defendants have rights, regardless of age, and protecting those rights will be important at every step of the criminal justice process. Your future could be at stake, but you can fight for your long-term interests.

Know your rights

Juvenile offenders do not have the same rights as adult offenders. For example, those charged in the juvenile system do not have the right to a trial by jury of their peers. Instead, a judge will oversee the proceeding and make the ruling. Likewise, juvenile offenders do not have the right to a public trial. Instead of referring to these proceedings as trials, they are instead known as adjudication hearings. Courts do not refer to juvenile criminal acts as crimes, but they refer to them as delinquent acts.

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 Posted on August 13, 2022 in DUI Law

A drunk driving criminal charge has the potential to change your life. Even if you do not receive a conviction, this type of allegation could result in damage to your personal reputation and other areas of your life. It is critical that you take a DUI seriously, even if it is your first drunk driving offense in Illinois. It is helpful to understand what you are up against so that you can properly and effectively confront the case against you.

There are certain seasons and times of year when it may be most common for Illinois drivers to receive DUIs. For example, holidays are times when more drivers are on the road, and there will be an increase in the number of DUIs during busier travel seasons. Regardless of when law enforcement pulled you over and charged you, it is in your interests to act quickly to begin preparing your defense strategy.

Common times for an increase in drunk driving

By carefully analyzing data, it is possible to pinpoint specific times, even certain days, when it may be more common for law enforcement to catch drivers operating their vehicles while intoxicated. According to statistics and data from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, the following are times when you may be more likely to get a DUI:

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 Posted on June 25, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Certain criminal charges come with potentially life-altering penalties for those convicted of these types of activities. While shoplifting is not a felony offense, it is still important for anyone in Illinois who is facing these charges to be aware of what he or she is up against. If you face charges for the crime of stealing merchandise of any kind from a retail establishment, you will need to know how to properly defend yourself.

The first step to defending yourself against these types of charges is to know what you are up against. It is helpful to not only understand the potential implications of a conviction, but also to know what you need to do to confront any evidence brought by the prosecution. Shoplifting is a type of larceny, which is essentially taking property without permission and with the intent of depriving the owner of it.

Understanding the crime of shoplifting

Shoplifting is a separate criminal offense from petty theft or burglary. While shoplifting cases can differ, most involve two primary elements. This includes evidence of the defendant taking items from a retail establishment, intended for sale, as well as an intentional act of depriving the owner of the item without paying for it. In many cases, shoplifting involves someone simply taking something from a store by hiding it or carrying it discreetly, but other actions that may fall into the category of shoplifting include:

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 Posted on June 13, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Facing the accusation of domestic abuse is serious as this can affect multiple areas of your life. If accused of this type of behavior, it could impact everything from a child custody case to your job opportunities. It is critical to act quickly to defend your rights and interests when facing these accusations, working diligently to protect your personal freedom, future opportunities and your reputation.

Domestic assault is a term used to describe different behaviors that include physical violence and verbal abuse from one person against another who lives in the same home. These accusations are common in cases in which there is a significant amount of animosity between two Illinois spouses, perhaps during a contested divorce or custody dispute. You may think you simply had an argument, but next thing you know, you may be facing a protective order and accusations of domestic abuse.

What counts as domestic assault?

There are different types of domestic abuse, and while it often involves an accusation of a type of violence from one person against another, physical contact is not always a requirement in these cases. It can be difficult to distinguish between verbal abuse and having an argument, especially when it is one person's word against another. Verbal abuse can include words and threats made against someone that either threaten violence or make the other person believe he or she is in harm's way.

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 Posted on April 16, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Facing criminal charges of any kind is a threat to your future. Whether you are facing federal-level charges or a misdemeanor criminal offense, you will benefit from understanding what you are up against and what it could mean for your future. For example, there is a distinct difference between theft and burglary, according to Illinois law, and knowing the difference between these two property crimes can make a difference in how you prepare your defense strategy.

Conviction of theft or burglary could result in a lengthy prison sentence and other penalties that may affect the rest of your life. Whether you are under investigation or already facing charges, it is in your interests to begin working on a defense strategy immediately. With the right defense, it is possible to pursue the most effective outcome to your specific case.

Theft in Illinois

According to Illinois laws, theft is a crime directed toward property. This can include anything of value, such as a car, real estate, collectibles, cash and more. The crime of theft occurs when a person knowingly takes possession of the property of another person by simply taking it, through deception, by threatening the owner or by assuming ownership of stolen property. In a theft case, there must be clear intent to knowingly deprive the owner of his or her property, as well as conceal or use the property in a way that will permanently deprive the owner of it.

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