Author Archives: admin

YOUR RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT UNDER NEW SUPREME COURT LAW

If you have watched enough TV police shows, you have heard the Miranda warning given to suspects, time and time again. “You have a right to an attorney. You have a right to remain silent. Any statements you make can … Continue reading →

Posted in arrest, criminal charges, criminal law, criminal offense, Miranda rights, police custody, right to an attorney, right to remain silent | Leave a comment

“BUT I’LL LOSE MY JOB!:” TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AND THE COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE

If you drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), then getting stopped for a DUI or even a simple traffic violation can cost you your livelihood. In Illinois, you can lose your commercial driver’s license (CDL) for at least one year … Continue reading →

Posted in blood alcohol limit, CDL, commercial driver's license, drivers license suspension, drunk driving, dui, leaving the scene of an accident, speeding, suspension, traffic offense, traffic tickets | Leave a comment

OPEN ALCOHOL CONTAINERS AND YOUR CAR: KEEP IT IN THE TRUNK!

You just left a friend’s house and you hadn’t finished your beer. You screwed the cap back on and left the half-full bottle on the floor of your car. Just your luck, on the way home, you blew a stop … Continue reading →

Posted in drivers license suspension, Illinois zero tolerance policy, open alcohol, petty offense, possession of alcohol, transport of alcohol, underage driver | Leave a comment

“I DIDN’T DO IT!”: WHEN YOU ARE CHARGED AS AN ACCESSORY TO A CRIME

One night, you were driving your buddy around town. You stopped at a convenience store. Your buddy ran in and next thing you knew, he had a wad of money in his hand and some beer. You didn’t know he … Continue reading →

Posted in abetting, accessory, aiding, conspiracy, conspirators, criminal charges, criminal law, criminal offense, criminal responsibility, robbery, soliciting | Leave a comment

‘I CAN’T GET A JOB!”: CLEARING YOUR CRIMINAL RECORD – PARDONS & EXPUNGEMENTS

(Updated 2/20/13) In today’s tough job market, you are at greater risk of losing out on that job opportunity you wanted because of an undesirable criminal record. But there may still be hope. If you were charged with a crime … Continue reading →

Posted in arrest, convictions, cook county courthouse, criminal charges, criminal law, expungement, felony, pardon, retail theft, sealing | Leave a comment

‘I’VE BEEN STOPPED FOR SHOPLIFTING!”: STORE SECURITY AND YOUR RIGHTS

You were browsing at a department store and had just left, when suddenly store security approaches you. They ask you to come with them. What are your rights? If a merchant believes you have been shoplifting, they may detain you … Continue reading →

Posted in criminal charges, detention, retail theft, shoplifting, store security, theft detection | Leave a comment

“I HOSTED AN UNDERAGE DRINKING PARTY!”: YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A PARENT

You left your otherwise responsible 17-year-old son home for the weekend. While you were gone, your son and his friends held a party, taking advantage of your liquor cabinet. When your son’s friend drove away drunk from your home, he … Continue reading →

Posted in arrest, class 4 felony, class a misdemeanor, criminal charges, driving while under the influence, drunk driving, dui, evanston, parent hosting, skokie, social hosting, underage drinking, wilmette | Leave a comment

IN TROUBLE AGAIN: WHEN YOU HAVE VIOLATED YOUR PROBATION OR SUPERVISION

You figure you have the worst luck imaginable. You received a supervision on your first-time misdemeanor or DUI, or maybe you received probation on a felony. All you had to do was stay out of trouble. But now you’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in arrest, criminal charges, criminal law, first offense, resentencing, retail theft, second offense, violation of probation, violation of supervision | Leave a comment

‘IT JUST POPPED OUT!”: WHEN YOU ARE ACCUSED OF HATE SPEECH

You really can’t stand this one student at your school. You think he is obnoxious. One day, the two of you got into a screaming match. In the heat of the moment, you called him a certain stereotypically derogatory name. … Continue reading →

Posted in class 4 felony, college discipline, criminal charges, hate crime, hate speech, phone harrassment, suspension, texting harrassment | Leave a comment

“THEY SUSPENDED MY LICENSE!”: ALCOHOL AND THE UNDERAGE DRIVER

Now that you have your own set of wheels, you feel really cool. So after school, you thought you’d take your friends for a night on the town. You were watching the road, so you didn’t realize your buddy in … Continue reading →

Posted in blood alcohol limit, breathalyzer, criminal charges, criminal law, driving while under the influence, drunk driving, dui, Illinois zero tolerance policy, skokie | Leave a comment