Posted on August 05, 2021 in DUI Law

Over the past year, more people have been home, and fewer people have been going out. For a significant portion of 2020, people were not in bars, restaurants and other places where alcohol is served. Because of this, statistics indicate there were fewer DUIs in Illinois over the course of 2020, but it is possible the number will rise as more people begin to function as normal in 2021.

The pandemic and traffic violations

The Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists releases an annual survey of all drunk driving arrests over the past year, and the 2020 report indicates the pandemic had a significant impact on certain behaviors. It is likely this decrease is related to limited restaurant and bar service during the majority of the shutdown. There were also fewer people on the roads at this time.

The number of DUI arrests was down in most jurisdictions that typically see high DUI numbers each year. Illinois police departments continue to make drunk driving enforcement a priority, especially as more people return to normal schedules. In addition to drivers under the influence of alcohol, some have said drivers under the influence of cannabis is also a growing concern.

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 Posted on July 09, 2021 in Drug Offenses

In 2020, Illinois was the 11^th state in the United States to legalize marijuana use for recreational purposes. Adults over the age of 21 can now purchase marijuana from licensed sellers without fear of arrest and criminal charges. You may believe this is a positive step for many in the state, but it is important to note that there are strict laws regarding the purchase and use of recreational marijuana.

The passage of this law does not mean there are no more regulations on marijuana. Misuse of recreational marijuana can still result in arrest and grave charges, especially if you drive while under the influence of this type of drug. If you are facing charges for operating a vehicle after using legal recreational marijuana, you would be wise to take your situation seriously and develop a strong defense strategy.

Facts about recreational marijuana in Illinois

It is in your interests to understand the recreational marijuana laws in the state in order to avoid problems. The following facts may be helpful to you:

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 Posted on May 10, 2021 in Opiate Offenses

Any type of drug charge represents a serious threat against one's future. If convicted of a drug crime in Illinois, it may could result in significant time behind bars, expensive fines and more. This is also true for those facing allegations of opiate-related drug charges. It is essential to have the right defense in order to effectively confront the prosecution's case.

Crimes related to opiates

Opioids are drugs derived from the poppy plant, and common opioids include heroin, methadone, fentanyl and hydrocodone. Opioids are often used as prescription painkillers, and for many, this has led to a dependence on this type of substance. It is common for a genuine medical need to lead to drug addiction after exposure to highly addictive opioids. This may then lead to behavior that is uncharacteristic, and eventually, the struggling individual may find himself or herself facing charges.

In addition to incarceration, an individual convicted of an opiate-related crime could also face loss of educational opportunities, loss of reputation and more. It is essential for one to be proactive in his or her defense and understand the gravity of the legal situation. This can start as soon as possible after an arrest or even during the investigative stage of the case.

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 Posted on May 05, 2021 in Criminal Defense

Having a criminal record can greatly affect a person's life. You may have a minor mark on your record that has come back to haunt you various times, such as when applying for a job or applying to rent an apartment. You may believe that the mark on your record is unfair itself or is putting you at an unfair disadvantage when it comes to personal opportunities. Now, you may wonder if there is anything you can do about it.

In some cases, individuals may be able to have their record expunged or sealed in Illinois. However, stipulations do apply, and not everyone or every crime qualifies for expungement. As a result, you would be wise to have the right information about how it could apply to your specific case.

Are expungement and sealed records the same?

You may have heard some people referring to having a record expunged and a record sealed as if the terms were interchangeable. However, “expunged” and “sealed” do refer to two different processes that have differing outcomes for the individuals. For example, if you have your record sealed, the public does not have access to that information, including employers, creditors and others. With sealed records, however, parties associated with the criminal justice system could still access the information in those records.

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 Posted on March 19, 2021 in Drug Offenses

Accusations of any type of criminal activity can be detrimental to your future and reputation. Even a misdemeanor can impact your life in various ways if convicted, and you may find yourself in a position where you need to defend yourself against formal charges. It is helpful to understand what you are up against and how you can develop the most effective and strongest defense strategy possible for your individual situation.

In 2020, Illinois changed its laws regarding cannabis and the recreational use of marijuana. If you use marijuana recreationally, it is in your interests to understand these laws in detail as a misunderstanding could lead to legal complications. Marijuana legalization was a legal victory for many, but there are still strict regulations and rules regarding its use and purchase.

What you should know

Illinois was the 11^th state to legalize the recreational use marijuana for adults. For over a year, adults have been able to purchase the drug from licensed and approved sellers throughout the state. The following facts may help you gain a better understanding of what the legalization and other changes could mean for you:

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 Posted on March 08, 2021 in Criminal Defense

It is a rare couple who goes their entire relationship without having a fight. In some cases, arguments can get a bit out of hand with loud yelling and door slamming, but this does not necessarily mean that anyone was immediately at risk of physical harm. Of course, an outside party may not know what is going on and could contact police if that person suspects a domestic battery situation taking place.

Unfortunately, this type of situation recently resulted in your arrest. You and your spouse may have gotten into an argument, and while your neighbor may have had good intentions by contacting the authorities out of concern, it was a situation blown way out of proportion, and you ended up under arrest. Now what?

Domestic battery in Illinois

Even if you know that you did not intend to cause any physical harm and that no harm resulted from the incident, you still must now deal with the repercussions of the ordeal, including defending against criminal charges in an Illinois court. States have differing laws on how they handle domestic violence or domestic battery scenarios, so it is important that you understand what you will face in the coming weeks and months as your case proceeds.

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 Posted on January 07, 2021 in Criminal Defense

Accusations of any type of crime can take a serious toll on a person's life. In some cases, young people or even those of an older age may not consider certain actions as explicitly illegal or even wrong. However, if the action breaks the law in any way, it is possible for criminal charges to result.

In particular, shoplifting is something that could come in many forms, and some of those forms may not seem serious. Nonetheless, if you stand accused of shoplifting in Illinois, you could face serious consequences, depending on the details involved and if a court convicts you of the alleged crime.

Types of shoplifting

If you are facing accusations of shoplifting, you undoubtedly want to understand why the charges came against you and what type of repercussions you could face. Part of that understanding could be determining what action or actions authorities suspect you carried out, which could include any of the following:

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 Posted on December 28, 2020 in Opiate Offenses

Drug crimes are particularly serious criminal offenses, and a conviction could result in significant penalties. An Illinois defendant could face years behind bars, fines and other consequences that may change the course of his or her life. This is certainly possible in cases involving opiate-related criminal charges. Opiates are powerful drugs, and there are certain types that are legal in specific situations, such as when prescribed by a doctor.

Opiates can include several types of drugs and painkillers, including Oxycodone and Vicodin. Prescription painkillers can include synthetic or naturally derived opium, and they are powerful and highly addictive when used inappropriately. Misuse of these types of drugs can result in a permanent mark on a criminal record, loss of future educational opportunities and trouble finding a job.

Possession of prescription drugs could even result in charges of intent to distribute opiates. With the help of an experienced defense attorney, it may be possible to avoid a prison sentence for other alternative sentences. This may include probation, which is more likely an option for first-time offenders, or completion of certain types of treatment programs.

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 Posted on November 21, 2020 in Sex Offenses

Allegations of sex crimes of any kind can have a significant impact on a person's future. It's essential to confront these allegations or charges with a strong defense as one's long-term interests, reputation and personal freedom are on the line. Charges of any type of sex offenses come with the potential of grave penalties, including time behind bars.

Because of the serious nature of these crimes, it is critical to work with an experienced Illinois attorney who provides guidance regarding the most appropriate and effective defense strategy. Conviction of a sex crime could not only result in time behind bars, but it could also lead to compulsory registration as a sex offender, loss of future opportunities and more. Some of the most common sex offenses include:

• Rape
• Aggravated sexual assault
• Internet sex crimes
• Failure to register a sex offender
• Sexual battery
• Possession of child pornography

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 Posted on November 12, 2020 in Criminal Defense

Allegations of abuse are serious, even they are false accusations. These allegations can eventually lead to formal criminal charges, which are a significant threat to your future. You would be wise to take your situation seriously and begin exploring how you can defend yourself. Protecting your future, your freedom and your reputation is critical.

Domestic violence includes any act of violence committed by one family member against another. It is often physically harmful, but it can include other types of harm, such as emotional abuse, controlling behavior and more. It happens between spouses, partners or anyone living together in the same home. These allegations could impact custody hearings, divorce proceedings and various aspects of your life, and it's vital to move quickly to defend yourself.

Domestic battery and types of violence in the home

Domestic battery is a specific type of domestic violence or abuse. Battery is violence or force used by one partner against another. It is possible to face domestic battery charges even if there are no apparent injuries as it can include the attempt to cause harm. Battery is a specific criminal charge, and other forms of domestic violence can include:

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