Author Archives: admin

ILLINOIS STATE SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN LAW BARRING GUNS WITHIN 1000 FEET OF A PUBLIC PARK OR SCHOOL

Illinois residents cannot be barred from carrying a firearm within 1000 feet of a public park or school, although it is still illegal to carry a gun within a public park. In People v Chairez, the court held that while … Continue reading

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STALKING THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA IN ILLINOIS

No matter how tempting it may be to strike out at your ex- through seemingly anonymous social media, you could be charged with stalking. In Illinois, stalking through social media can be prosecuted as “monitoring.” A recent Illinois case illustrates … Continue reading

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I’VE BEEN FALSELY ACCUSED OF ABUSE UNDER THE ILLINOIS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT. WHAT CAN I DO?

You’ve just been served with notice that your former domestic partner or spouse is seeking an order of protection against you. You believe the charges against you are false and merely designed to harass you. What can you do? If … Continue reading

Posted in domestic abuse, domestic violence, false accusation, Illinois Domestic Violence Act | Leave a comment

WHAT IS “ABUSE” UNDER THE ILLINOIS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT?

You’ve just been served notice that your former partner or spouse is seeking an order of protection against you. They are claiming that you abused them. How is abuse defined, and what are your options? Under the Illinois Domestic Violence … Continue reading

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CAN THE POLICE USE EVERYTHING I TOLD THEM AGAINST ME?

When the police came after you, you said some foolish things that you wish you could take back. Is there a way? The answer may turn on when you were legally under arrest. Generally, you are under arrest if a … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, confession, incriminating statements, miranda warnings, self incrimination | Leave a comment

NEW CYBERSTALKING LAW IN ILLINOIS

After a court ruled that part of the Illinois Cyberstalking law was unconstitutional, the legislature updated the law. Under the new law, you commit cyberstalking when you knowingly, surreptitiously, and without lawful justification, place tracking software on an electronic communication … Continue reading

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CYBERSTALKING AND SEXTING CAN BECOME A HATE CRIME IN ILLINOIS

As of January 1, 2018, sexting or cyberstalking can take on an added dimension. The Illinois Hate Crime statute now includes intimidation, stalking, cyberstalking and transmitting obscene messages within the offense. To be convicted of a hate crime on this … Continue reading

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SCHOOL RESIDENCY FRAUD CAN BE CHARGED AS A FELONY

Understandably, you would like your child to get the best education in the best school district, but perhaps you can’t really afford to live there. You may be tempted to lie about your child’s real home in order to enroll … Continue reading

Posted in felony forgery, forgery, fraud, school residency | Leave a comment

CAN YOU USE SELF-DEFENSE AGAINST A POLICE OFFICER IN ILLINOIS?

You believe the police had no justifiable basis to stop you, and you may be right. Nevertheless, you must still obey police orders, and you cannot physically resist the arrest. But what if the officer physically threatens you? Can you … Continue reading

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THE CRIME OF ABDUCTING YOUR OWN CHILD IN ILLINOIS

You think your child’s other parent is a horrible person. As a result, you want to protect him or her from that parent. Maybe you sent your child out of state or hid them when the other parent came to … Continue reading

Posted in child abduction, parental child abduction | Leave a comment