Author Archives: admin

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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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

“I HIT A COP!:” AGGRAVATED ASSAULT OR AGGRAVATED BATTERY TO AN OFFICER IN ILLINOIS

You must have been really drunk because you don’t remember what happened. But apparently, you went berserk and hit a police officer. The officer even ended up in the emergency room. Now, you are charged with aggravated battery. What is … Continue reading

Posted in aggravated assault, aggravated battery, aggravated battery of an officer, assault, battery, Class 1 Felony, class a misdemeanor, Class X Felony | Leave a comment

IMPERSONATING PUBLIC OFFICIALS: BIG TROUBLE

Pretending to be someone you are not may bring you applause on stage and screen, but in real life, impersonation can be a serious criminal offense. Illinois prohibits impersonating a police officer, firefighter, emergency management worker, attorney, veteran, parent/legal guardian … Continue reading

Posted in Class 1 Felony, Class 2 felony, Class 3 felony, class 4 felony personation of a police officer, class a misdemeanor, impersonation of public official, personation of a fire fighter | Leave a comment

BIGGER TROUBLE: FLEEING AND ELUDING POLICE IN ILLINOIS

You’ve seen it in all the cop shows. The police take off on a high speed chase after the fugitive. Of course, you never dreamed you would be starring in your own action movie, but when you saw the police, … Continue reading

Posted in class 4 felony, class a misdemeanor, eluding police, fleeing the scene, fugitive | Leave a comment

I HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME IN ILLINOIS:. COULD I GO TO JAIL?

We hear this question from clients all the time. Naturally, if you are charged with a crime, the prospect of serving time is frightening. Whether you will be sentenced to jail, however, depends on a variety of factors. The good … Continue reading

Posted in driving on a suspended license, dui, felony, jail time, misdemeanor, sentencing, violation of probation, violation of supervision | Leave a comment