Author Archives: admin

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

Posted in domestic violence, Illinois Domestic Violence Act, order of protection, violation of order of protection | Leave a comment

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

DRUG CRIMES WITHIN 500 FEET OF A CHURCH IN ILLINOIS

You were in an alley making a deal when the police arrived and charged you with delivering drugs. You thought you could cope with the misdemeanor, but it turns out you were within 500 feet of a church. Because of … Continue reading

Posted in aggravated drug offense, church, drug charges, drug crimes, religious building | Leave a comment

CAN YOU SUPPRESS STATEMENTS MADE AFTER AN ILLEGAL ARREST?

The police stopped you for not doing much of anything. They took you into custody and because you were nervous, you couldn’t stop talking. If the original arrest was without probable cause, can your statements be used against you? To … Continue reading

Posted in confession, fruit of the poison tree, illegal arrest, probable cause, statements | Leave a comment

CAN THE POLICE TRACK MY MOVEMENTS THROUGH MY CELL PHONE WITHOUT A WARRANT?

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has held that police must obtain a warrant before tracking your movements through cell phone signals. Each time your phone connects to a cell site, it leaves a trace in the form of a … Continue reading

Posted in cell phone, cell phone search, cell phone signal, CSLI, search warrant | Leave a comment