Author Archives: admin

PARDON ME!: CLEMENCY PETITIONERS NOW HAVE A CHANCE IN ILLINOIS

It’s tough enough to find a job these days. The last thing you need on your record is that felony shoplifting hit you took for stealing that expensive dress or that domestic violence misunderstanding where you pled to supervision. Crimes … Continue reading

Posted in clemency petition, criminal record, expungement, pardon, sealing | Leave a comment

REGISTERING YOUR CHILD FOR SCHOOL CAN BE RISKY BUSINESS

It’s back to school time for many families, and along with it comes the hassle of registration. But as financial pressures on schools increase, so does the pressure to ensure that only residents of a school district are attending the … Continue reading

Posted in class c misdemeanor, providing false information, school residency | Leave a comment

‘IM WANTED IN ANOTHER STATE!”: THE LAW OF EXTRADITION

Things went sour in the state where you lived. You got into a little trouble with the law, so you came to Illinois. Now the Governor of your old state is asking Illinois to return you for trial on the … Continue reading

Posted in extradition, fleeing the state | Leave a comment

“CAN I LEAVE THE STATE?” AND OTHER BOND VIOLATIONS

You were really looking forward to that great vacation you had planned in the tropics. Unfortunately, when you were leaving a party, you got pulled over by the police. You took your vacation anyway, and now you have violated the … Continue reading

Posted in bail, bond forfeiture, bond violation, conditions of bond, leaving the state, missing a court date | Leave a comment

‘MY CHILD WAS OUT TOO LATE!”: CURFEW LAW IN ILLINOIS

Your son was at a school party. After the party, he and some friends went to the park and hung around until after midnight. That’s when the police arrived. Now your son is charged with violating curfew, and you may … Continue reading

Posted in curfew, juveniles | Leave a comment

WARRANTLESS SEARCHES: THE U.S. SUPREME COURT MARIJUANA EVIDENCE CASE AND ILLINOIS LAW

You may have heard it on the news: U.S. Supreme Court rules that police can enter home because of marijuana smell. While this statement oversimplifies the court’s decision, Kentucky v King deals with the law of exigent circumstances, or when … Continue reading

Posted in exigent circumstances, search and seizure, warrantless search | Leave a comment

‘BUT IT’S HIS GUN!”: WHEN YOU ARE CHARGED WITH POSSESSING A FIREARM

The police are at the door. Your boyfriend was involved in some kind of criminal activity—maybe it was drug dealing or robbery. Somehow the police found a gun, either in your home or in your car. Now both you and … Continue reading

Posted in firearm possession, gun possession, illegal gun, illegal weapon, machine gun, silencer, taser, unlawful use of weapon | Leave a comment

‘BUT I WAS JUST VISITING!”: WHEN YOU ARE CHARGED WITH BRINGING CONTRABAND INTO A PRISON OR JAIL

Your loved one is in trouble. You went to see them at the police lockup or in the jail. Or maybe it’s just visiting day at the prison. You knew you couldn’t bring in drugs or weapons, but all you … Continue reading

Posted in bringing in contraband, Class 1 Felony, contraband, electronic device, possession of contraband | Leave a comment

RESISTING ARREST: BIG TROUBLE

You and your spouse were fighting again. Your spouse called the police. When the police came, you lost your head and struggled with them, actually causing one officer to sprain themselves. Although your spouse dropped the original complaint against you, … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, class 4 felony, class a misdemeanor, resisting arrest | Leave a comment

“CAN I HELP HIM?:” WHEN YOU ARE ASKED TO CONCEAL EVIDENCE

Your boyfriend just called. He didn’t want to get into the details over the phone, but the police are after him. He wants to know if he can come over and give you something to hold. Or maybe he wants … Continue reading

Posted in class 4 felony, concealing evidence, destroying evidence, hiding evidence, obstructing justice | Leave a comment