Author Archives: admin

CAN YOU TAKE YOUR OWN CHILD TO THE PARK IF YOU ARE A CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER?

The answer depends on the charges brought against you. If you are a convicted sexual predator or child sex offender, you cannot knowingly be present in any public park or loiter in a public way within 500 feet of a … Continue reading

Posted in sex offender, sex offense | Leave a comment

WHAT IS THE OFFENSE OF TRAVELING TO MEET A CHILD IN ILLINOIS?

You commit the offense of traveling to meet a child (under age 17) when you travel any distance by any means, or attempt to do so, in order to engage in sexual conduct with that child after using an online … Continue reading

Posted in Entrapment, Traveling to Meet a Child | Leave a comment

WHAT IS THE NECESSITY DEFENSE UNDER ILLINOIS LAW?

Under Illinois law, you may be able to plead necessity as a defense if you did not cause the situation and you reasonably believed your actions were necessary to avoid a greater harm than the injury which might reasonably result … Continue reading

Posted in necessity defense | Leave a comment

WHAT IS CHILD ABANDONMENT IN ILLINOIS?

Under 720 ILCS 5/12C-10, you commit child abandonment when you leave a child under age 13 for 24 hours or more unsupervised by a responsible person over age 14, without regard for the child’s health or safety. The child must … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on WHAT IS CHILD ABANDONMENT IN ILLINOIS?

DO I HAVE A RIGHT TO AN INTERPRETER IF I DON’T UNDERSTAND ENGLISH?

The answer is yes. According to Illinois case law, fundamental due process requires that a defendant who does not fully understand English be permitted an interpreter. Otherwise, a defendant could be deprived of his or her right to a fair … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

WHAT IS DOMESTIC BATTERY UNDER ILLINOIS LAW?

You commit domestic battery if you knowingly without legal justification by any means: (1) cause bodily harm to any family or household member; (2) makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with any family or household member. (See … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

WHAT IS FIRST DEGREE MURDER IN ILLINOIS?

Under Illinois law, there are three kinds of first degree murder. Intentional murder where you intend to kill or do great bodily harm to another knowing that your actions will cause death; Strong probability murder: Where you know your acts … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

WHAT IS CONCEALMENT OF HOMICIDAL DEATH IN ILLINOIS?

In the 1944 comedy, Arsenic and Old Lace, Cary Grant’s character, Mortimer, finds a body in the window seat. It turns out that Mortimer’s elderly aunts have been murdering lonely, old bachelors “to end their suffering” by serving them arsenic-spiked … Continue reading

Posted in conceal murder, concealment of homicidal death, homicide, murder | Leave a comment

WHAT IS OBSTRUCTING A PEACE OFFICER UNDER ILLINOIS LAW?

If the police give you an order, are you obstructing a peace officer if you refuse? The answer may depend on whether your actions “materially” obstructed the officer in his or her official duties. Under 720 ILCS 5/31-1(a) you commit … Continue reading

Posted in obstructing a peace officer, obstructing police | Leave a comment

WHAT IS THE CRIME OF ASSAULT IN ILLINOIS?

You commit assault when, without lawful authority, you knowingly engage in conduct which places another in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery. Assault is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail. (See 720 ILCS 5/12-1). … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment