Yearly Archives: 2010

“I DIDN’T DO IT!”: WHEN YOU ARE CHARGED AS AN ACCESSORY TO A CRIME

One night, you were driving your buddy around town. You stopped at a convenience store. Your buddy ran in and next thing you knew, he had a wad of money in his hand and some beer. You didn’t know he … Continue reading

Posted in abetting, accessory, aiding, conspiracy, conspirators, criminal charges, criminal law, criminal offense, criminal responsibility, robbery, soliciting | Leave a comment

‘I CAN’T GET A JOB!”: CLEARING YOUR CRIMINAL RECORD – PARDONS & EXPUNGEMENTS

(Updated 2/20/13) In today’s tough job market, you are at greater risk of losing out on that job opportunity you wanted because of an undesirable criminal record. But there may still be hope. If you were charged with a crime … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, convictions, cook county courthouse, criminal charges, criminal law, expungement, felony, pardon, retail theft, sealing | Leave a comment

‘I’VE BEEN STOPPED FOR SHOPLIFTING!”: STORE SECURITY AND YOUR RIGHTS

You were browsing at a department store and had just left, when suddenly store security approaches you. They ask you to come with them. What are your rights? If a merchant believes you have been shoplifting, they may detain you … Continue reading

Posted in criminal charges, detention, retail theft, shoplifting, store security, theft detection | Leave a comment

“I HOSTED AN UNDERAGE DRINKING PARTY!”: YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A PARENT

You left your otherwise responsible 17-year-old son home for the weekend. While you were gone, your son and his friends held a party, taking advantage of your liquor cabinet. When your son’s friend drove away drunk from your home, he … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, class 4 felony, class a misdemeanor, criminal charges, driving while under the influence, drunk driving, dui, evanston, parent hosting, skokie, social hosting, underage drinking, wilmette | Leave a comment

IN TROUBLE AGAIN: WHEN YOU HAVE VIOLATED YOUR PROBATION OR SUPERVISION

You figure you have the worst luck imaginable. You received a supervision on your first-time misdemeanor or DUI, or maybe you received probation on a felony. All you had to do was stay out of trouble. But now you’ve been … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, criminal charges, criminal law, first offense, resentencing, retail theft, second offense, violation of probation, violation of supervision | Leave a comment

‘IT JUST POPPED OUT!”: WHEN YOU ARE ACCUSED OF HATE SPEECH

You really can’t stand this one student at your school. You think he is obnoxious. One day, the two of you got into a screaming match. In the heat of the moment, you called him a certain stereotypically derogatory name. … Continue reading

Posted in class 4 felony, college discipline, criminal charges, hate crime, hate speech, phone harrassment, suspension, texting harrassment | Leave a comment

“THEY SUSPENDED MY LICENSE!”: ALCOHOL AND THE UNDERAGE DRIVER

Now that you have your own set of wheels, you feel really cool. So after school, you thought you’d take your friends for a night on the town. You were watching the road, so you didn’t realize your buddy in … Continue reading

Posted in blood alcohol limit, breathalyzer, criminal charges, criminal law, driving while under the influence, drunk driving, dui, Illinois zero tolerance policy, skokie | Leave a comment

“I JUST PANICKED!”: WHEN YOU ARE CHARGED WITH LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT

You honestly just never saw him until you heard the thud. Maybe you struck a pedestrian, or maybe it was another car. Startled, you drove away instead of stopping like you knew you should. Now, somehow the cops have found … Continue reading

Posted in class a misdemeanor, criminal charges, criminal law, fleeing the scene, leaving the scene of an accident, traffic offense | Leave a comment

‘BUT I WASN’T ON CAMPUS!”: WHEN YOU ARE DISCIPLINED AT COLLEGE FOR AN OFF-CAMPUS CRIMINAL CHARGE

You had a little too much fun one night at the pub downtown. As you struggled to drive home, you blew a stop sign and next thing you knew, you were pulled over for DUI. Or maybe you were involved … Continue reading

Posted in college discipline, criminal charges, discipline charges, driving while under the influence, drug dealing, drugs, dui, education law, retail theft, student code of conduct, university discipline | Leave a comment

“MY LOVED ONE HAS BEEN ARRESTED!”: POLICE CUSTODY AND THE BOND HEARING

You just got a phone call from your loved one. Somehow, they were picked up by police and are now in custody. Your loved one is scared and begging you for help. What happens next and what can you do? … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, bail, bond hearing, criminal charges, criminal law, Maywood, police custody, Rolling Meadows, skokie | Leave a comment