Author Archives: admin

INTERFERING WITH VISITATION IS A CRIME IN ILLINOIS

You don’t like how your ex-spouse is treating your kids. Or maybe your ex-spouse owes you child support. When they came to pick up the kids for visitation, you simply told them the children were out. Next thing you know, … Continue reading

Posted in child custody, interference, unlawful visitation or parenting time interference, visitation interference | Leave a comment

CAN I BE ARRESTED FOR A MARIJUANA PIPE? ILLINOIS LAW ON DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

The police stopped you for a routine traffic offense. When giving you the ticket, they noticed a marijuana bong on the seat of your car. Or maybe they frisked you and found a couple syringes in your pocket, and you … Continue reading

Posted in cannabis, drug dealing, drug offense, drug paraphernalia, drugs, marijuana, narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia | Leave a comment

OBSTRUCTING A PEACE OFFICER IN ILLINOIS

If you hinder a peace officer, such as a prison guard, policeman or firefighter, from performing their duties, you could be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor. Obstructing a peace officer can be as simple as disobeying an order to … Continue reading

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CAN THE POLICE SEARCH MY CELL PHONE?

Police can search your cell phone to learn its phone number without a search warrant, much like they can flip through the pages of your diary to find your address, said a recent 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling. Modern … Continue reading

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FROM SHOPLIFTING TO REMOVING PRICE TAGS: RETAIL THEFT LAW IN ILLINOIS

You were scanning groceries at the self-service station and decided to omit a few items before slipping them into your bag. But unbeknownst to you, the cameras were watching. As soon as you left the store, security stopped you, and … Continue reading

Posted in retail theft, shoplifting, theft, theft by emergency exit, theft detection shielding device | Leave a comment

“BUT I WAS JUST TAPING A COP!”: THE ILLINOIS EAVESDROPPING LAW

You were a passenger in a car that the police pulled over. The officer seemed to be giving the driver, your friend, a hard time. You thought the officer was trying to strong-arm your friend, and with visions of Rodney … Continue reading

Posted in audio recording law, eavesdropping, illinois eavesdropping act | Leave a comment

THE NEW ILLINOIS LAW ON FALSE IMPERSONATION

As of January 1, 2012, Illinois toughened its law against false impersonations. In Illinois, it was already illegal to impersonate a police officer, firefighter, emergency management worker, veteran, parent/legal guardian or airplane pilot. (See related Post: “Impersonating Public Officials: Big … Continue reading

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“BUT I DIDN’T TOUCH ANYBODY!:” THE ILLINOIS LAW ON ASSAULT

You were really mad at your teacher. Without thinking, you threw a fist like you were going to hit him. But then someone called the police, and now you are charged with aggravated assault. What can you do? What is … Continue reading

Posted in aggravated assault, aggravated battery, assault, class 4 felony, class a misdemeanor, class c misdemeanor | Leave a comment

CAN THE POLICE USE LICENSE READING CAMERAS TO CATCH CRIMINALS? IN ONE ILLINOIS COMMUNITY, THEY ALREADY ARE

Your mobile phone isn’t the only thing getting more technologically sophisticated. So too are police crime-fighting techniques. In October, the Belleville, Illinois police department began catching criminals by using an automated camera to read license plates. The $17,000 automated license … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, arrest warrant, automated camera, traffic stop, vehicle search | Leave a comment

ILLINOIS AGGRAVATED BATTERY LAW

In Illinois, you commit simple battery if you knowingly, without legal justification, physically hurt another person or cause contact of an offensive nature, such as grabbing at them. Simple battery is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 … Continue reading

Posted in aggravated assault, aggravated battery, Class 1 Felony, Class 2 felony, Class 3 felony, class 4 felony, Class X Felony | Leave a comment