Posted on June 08, 2018 in burglary

When someone thinks about burglary,he or shemay think of a person breaking into a building, or home, to steal something valuable.While that is burglary, there are other instances in which a person can face burglary charges and not even realize it.

If you are facing charges for burglary in Illinois, it is imperative that you contact an attorney immediately. To be sure, a skilled lawyer can help protect your rights throughout each stage of the criminal process.

Types of Burglary in Illinois

The following includes various types of burglary charges in Illinois, all of which require the assistance of a skilled attorney.

Burglary

According to Illinois statute, burglary is committed when a person “knowingly enters or without authority remains within a building, house trailer, watercraft, aircraft, motor vehicle, railroad car, or any part thereof, with intent to commit therein a felony or theft.” Burglary is considered a Class 2 felony in Illinois and carries a potential sentence of three to seven years.

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 Posted on June 05, 2018 in Domestic Abuse

If you are one of the millions of men and women who are victims of domestic violence, you may be lost, scared, and unsure of how to handle the situation. Firstly, you should know that you are not alone. Data shows that about one out of every three women and one out of every four men are abused by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. Domestic abuse can include physical, psychological, and sexual violence as well as threats and intimidating behavior. In the majority of domestic violence cases, the first thing a victim can do to protect themselves is to request an emergency order of protection.

Who Qualifies for an Emergency Order of Protection?

If you or your child have been abused by a family member or significant other, you qualify for an emergency order of protection (EOP)—sometimes referred to in casual conversation as a restraining order. Individuals who are concerned for the safety of a disabled adult may also file a petition for an order of protection on the disabled person’s behalf. You do not have to be physically injured by the alleged abuser in order to qualify for an EOP.

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 Posted on June 04, 2018 in Criminal Defense

For many people, their knowledge of the criminal justice system comes from television shows or other types of media. As such, they may get ideas in their heads of what should happen in criminal cases. In reality, many events that take place on television are not accurate depictions of actualcriminal defense cases in Illinois.

Real life cases do not follow a script, and they can be unpredictable and shocking. It is important to know which facts are the truth and which are mere misconceptions. In light of this,consider the following three common misconceptions about the criminal justice system.

Any Time I Am Not Read My Miranda Rights, My Case Will Be Dismissed

A defendant must be readhis or her rights anytimehe or she isin custody of the police and is being interrogated. Being ‘in custody’ is a complicated issue. Merely talking to the police does not always mean that you are in custody, and neither does being placed in handcuffs.

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 Posted on May 30, 2018 in Drug Charges

Possession of a controlled substance is a seriousdrug crime in Illinois. The punishment for such a crime depends on the controlled substance in question and the amount of the substance that is found. Generally, the more of a substance a defendant has, the harsher the punishment can potentially be.

Most possession of a controlled substance crimes carry fines, probation, and jail or prison time. Ultimately, if you have been charged with this crime, it is imperative that you reach out to a skilled attorney for help immediately.

Controlled Substance

The first step in understanding possession of a controlled substance isbeing able to identify a controlled substance. Per 720 ILCS 570/102(f), a controlled substance is defined as a “drug, substance, immediate precursor, or synthetic drug.” The drugs included in this definition include heroin, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines, LSD, oxycodone, ketamine, ecstasy, and other controlled substances listed in Article II of 720 ILCS 570.

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 Posted on May 28, 2018 in DUI/DWI

Being faced with a driving under the influence (DUI) charge in Illinois can be scary. You don’t know what to expect or what is going to happen. Ultimately, the best way to prepare is by understanding more about your charges.

What is a DUI?

Pursuant to Illinois law, an individual who is operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more can be charged with a DUI. A DUI is not limited to only driving with alcohol in one’s system. A person can be charged with a DUI ifhe or she isintoxicated by drugs, intoxicating compounds, or methamphetamine is inhis or hersystem.

BAC refers to the ratio of alcohol to the blood in your system. A BAC of .08 makes it illegal in Illinois to operate a motor vehicle. However, this standard only applies to individual over the age of 21, the legal drinking age. A driver under the age of 21 must have a BAC of 0. Any amount over 0 and the individual may face a DUI charge.

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 Posted on May 25, 2018 in DUI/DWI

A Rolling Meadows man with 15 driving under the influence (DUI) convictions faces 30 years in prison. The DUI convictions date all the way back to 1982. These convictions take place over 36 years and have occurred in10 Illinois counties.

The man’slatest DUI charge occurred in June 2017 when he struck a party bus while intoxicated and driving. For the 15 convictions, he has served 15 years, five months, and eight days in prison, with sentences ranging from one year to7 years, according to the Daily Herald.

After the man’smost recent DUI charge, the defendant was forbidden to drive. In fact, the state of Illinois took away his license years ago because of the numerous DUI charges. Regardless, the defendant still got behind the wheel of a car and drove while intoxicated. The judge let the defendant out on bail after the 2017 DUI charge.

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 Posted on May 21, 2018 in Domestic Abuse

A 31-year-old Chicago resident is dead after being shot in the head by an ex-boyfriend. This gruesome murder did not come out of the blue. The woman had allegedly made 10 reports about her former partner’s aggressive and threatening behavior before she was killed. This tragic event has led to many questioning the Chicago Police Department’s ability to protect victims of domestic violence from future abuse.

Victim Sought First Order of Protection in 2013

According to reports, after the now-deceased woman and her boyfriend broke up, he started demonstrating the violent and intimidating behavior. When the victim became afraid for her safety, she sought an emergency protective order (EPO) in 2013. EPOs are available to any individual who feels their safety is in jeopardy and can be obtained at a county courthouse. Someone seeking an EPO, called the petitioner, does not need to have physical evidence of the abuse. The alleged abuser, called the respondent, does not need to be present in order for an EPO to be granted. This temporary measure lasts 14 to 21 days.

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 Posted on May 21, 2018 in Traffic Offenses

The Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) created a point system that trackstraffic violations that an individual accumulates onhis or her driving record. Every time you receive a moving violation, a number of points are added to your driving record. After accumulating a large amount of points you risk suspension or revocation of your license. In light of this, if you are facing charges for a serious moving violation in Illinois, it is in your best interest tospeak with an attorney immediately for legal assistance.

How the Points System Works

The number of points added to your driving record after a moving violation dependson the severity of the offense. For example, a charge of reckless driving on your record brings 55 points to your record. Failing to obey a stop sign adds 20 points to a driving record. Further, failing to obey a traffic signal or light carries 20 points. Points for speeding depend on the speed at which a driver is traveling, and is described below:

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 Posted on May 18, 2018 in Traffic Offenses

While many believe reckless driving to be a minor offense, in reality it can lead to serious consequences that have lasting effects. As such, if you have been charged with reckless driving in Illinois, we ask you to reach out to us today for professional help.

What is Reckless Driving?

In Illinois, reckless driving is governed by statute 625 ILCS 5/11-305. There are two situations in which a person can be found guilty of reckless driving:

1. A person who drives “with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property” is said to be driving recklessly; and
2. A person who knowingly drives “a vehicle and uses an incline in a roadway, such as a railroad crossing, bridge approach, or hill, to cause the vehicle to become airborne” is driving recklessly.

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 Posted on May 15, 2018 in Domestic Abuse

Domestic violence is a rather broad legal term that includes a variety of abusive behavior, including but not limited to assault, battery, stalking, intimidation, or sexual coercion. Such actions are considered to be domestic violence when they are committed by a person against a romantic partner, family members, or members of the same household. While male-against-female violence is the most commonly discussed type of domestic abuse, the reality is that both men and women can be victims, and both men and women can commit acts of domestic violence.

Federal estimates indicate that nearly 20 individuals are physically abused by a romantic partner in the United States every minute. Over the course of a year, this translates to more than 10 million instances of victimization. It is estimated that one in three women and one in four men have experienced some type of physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner at least once in their lives.

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