Yearly Archives: 2019

CAN YOUR SPOUSE BE FORCED TO TESTIFY AGAINST YOU IN ILLINOIS?

You’ve seen the movie. The leading man’s girl knows too much about the crime. The solution: Get married! Then, she can’t be forced to testify. But is that how it works in real life? For the most part, the answer … Continue reading

Posted in evidence, marital privilege, spousal privilege, spousal testimony | Leave a comment

IS PROTECTING MY PROPERTY A DEFENSE TO DOMESTIC BATTERY?

During a break-up, your now ex-girlfriend refused to give you your iPhone. She taunted you by threatening to drop it into a sink full of water, so you grabbed her and yanked it out of her hand. Now you are … Continue reading

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ILLINOIS BATTERY TO A CHILD: WHEN DOES SPANKING GO TOO FAR?

At what point does a parent’s right to discipline his or her child turn into a felony? Under Illinois law, parents who believe in corporal punishment may use it to discipline their children as long as such punishment is necessary … Continue reading

Posted in aggravated battery, battery, child abuse, child discipline, spanking | Leave a comment

THE CRIME OF FORGERY IN ILLINOIS

You altered a check made payable to your girlfriend, or you used her digital signature to get at her funds. Or maybe you used counterfeit money to pay for an expensive TV. Now you are charged with forgery. What is … Continue reading

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT IN ILLINOIS?

(Updated 1/4/24: See our related posts at: Can I be Convicted of Disorderly Conduct for Asking a Question? and Disorderly Conduct: Calling in a False Alarm). In Illinois, some types of disorderly conduct are more serious than others. Disorderly conduct … Continue reading

Posted in bomb scare, disorderly conduct, false bomb threat, felony disorderly conduct, filing a false report, misdemeanor disorderly conduct | 1 Comment

ILLINOIS EXPANDS ELIGIBILITY FOR PROTECTION UNDER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAWS

As you may imagine, domestic violence laws were intended to apply to the domestic front—people close to your home such as a family member or significant other. Parties eligible for an Illinois order of protection from domestic abuse include: 1) … Continue reading

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WHEN DOES POLICE QUESTIONING MEAN I’M UNDER ARREST?

Something bad just happened in your neighborhood. Maybe it was an attack or a robbery. Since you were in the area, the police questioned you. You tried to cooperate, but then things started to get tense. The police seem to … Continue reading

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WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN MY CHILD HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH STATUTORY RAPE IN ILLINOIS?

Your son has been dating a 16-year-old girl from his high school for several months. Although you cautioned him about premarital sex, everything you said went in one ear and out the other. To make matters worse, her father found … Continue reading

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WHAT IS A DEFENSE TO FELONY MURDER?

Under the Illinois felony murder law, you can be convicted of first degree murder if you kill another person without lawful justification while committing a forcible felony other than second degree murder. A forcible felony includes offenses such as aggravated … Continue reading

Posted in evidence, felony murder, first degree murder, intent | Leave a comment

I WAS ARRESTED IN CHICAGO, BUT MY CASE IS IN SKOKIE

You live in Chicago, your offense was in Chicago, the police arrested you in Chicago, so you fully expected your court would be in Chicago. But to your surprise, your case is assigned to the Cook County Circuit Court in … Continue reading

Posted in Chicago court, felony, Skokie Court | Leave a comment