Author Archives: admin

“I MEANT TO PAY FOR IT”: WHEN YOU ARE ACCUSED OF SHOPLIFTING

You are visiting your favorite big box store. You picked up a couple DVDs that you were thinking of purchasing, but then got distracted and walked out the door with them. Before you knew it, security was after you, and … Continue reading

Posted in expungement, retail theft, shoplifting | Leave a comment

“IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!”: WHEN VISITING AN INAPPROPRIATE WEBSITE CAUSES YOU TROUBLE

You are a dedicated public school teacher. Your students adore you. You have even received awards for your innovative teaching techniques. So it is with great dismay that you find yourself hauled into the principal’s office. It appears you have … Continue reading

Posted in criminal law, Cybercrime, downloading, education law, inappropriate websites | Leave a comment

BUT I JUST TEXTED: HOW SEXTING CAN GET YOU IN TROUBLE.

You just broke up with your girlfriend from school, and you’re upset. You don’t think she treated you right, so to get even with her, you’ve texted those nude photos you took on your cell phone in better days to … Continue reading

Posted in Cybercrime, cyberstalking, Texting offenses | Leave a comment

THE DRUGS AREN’T MINE: WHEN YOU ARE CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF NARCOTICS

You’ve just been arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Maybe it’s marijuana or cocaine or methamphetamine or even heroin. Maybe the substance was mailed to you in a package or the police found it in your car or the … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, controlled substance, criminal charges, criminal law, drug dealing, drug possession, drugs, narcotics, possession | Leave a comment

THE NEW ILLINOIS DUI DRIVING MONITOR DEVICES

As of January 1, 2009, Illinois has a new system for permitting first time DUI offenders to drive. The Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) allows a qualified driver more leeway than the old system, but involves a new set of … Continue reading

Posted in breath alcohol monitoring device, breathalyzer, criminal charges, drunk driving, dui | Leave a comment

CAN I PLEASE GO NOW? WHEN A POLICE STOP BECOMES A SEIZURE.

You are sitting in an empty parking lot late at night when a police car pulls up behind you. The officer says he needs to ask you a few questions. You start worrying about that joint you hid in your … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, criminal charges, criminal law, detention, fourth amendment, police custody, suspect | Leave a comment

DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY?

Whether it’s internet crime, DUI, a simple traffic ticket or a more serious misdemeanor like retail theft or internet crime, clients often ask: “Do I really need an attorney?” The client may have blown a bad breathalyzer test and thinks … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, class a misdemeanor, criminal charges, criminal law, driving while under the influence, dui, internet crime, retail theft | Leave a comment