Author Archives: admin

“I JUST PANICKED!”: WHEN YOU ARE CHARGED WITH LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT

You honestly just never saw him until you heard the thud. Maybe you struck a pedestrian, or maybe it was another car. Startled, you drove away instead of stopping like you knew you should. Now, somehow the cops have found … Continue reading →

Posted in class a misdemeanor, criminal charges, criminal law, fleeing the scene, leaving the scene of an accident, traffic offense | Leave a comment

‘BUT I WASN’T ON CAMPUS!”: WHEN YOU ARE DISCIPLINED AT COLLEGE FOR AN OFF-CAMPUS CRIMINAL CHARGE

You had a little too much fun one night at the pub downtown. As you struggled to drive home, you blew a stop sign and next thing you knew, you were pulled over for DUI. Or maybe you were involved … Continue reading →

Posted in college discipline, criminal charges, discipline charges, driving while under the influence, drug dealing, drugs, dui, education law, retail theft, student code of conduct, university discipline | Leave a comment

“MY LOVED ONE HAS BEEN ARRESTED!”: POLICE CUSTODY AND THE BOND HEARING

You just got a phone call from your loved one. Somehow, they were picked up by police and are now in custody. Your loved one is scared and begging you for help. What happens next and what can you do? … Continue reading →

Posted in arrest, bail, bond hearing, criminal charges, criminal law, Maywood, police custody, Rolling Meadows, skokie | Leave a comment

“THE POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR ME”: WHEN YOU ARE A SUSPECT OR FEAR ARREST

You just got a phone call from your roommate. Some police officer showed up looking for you. As it happens, you actually do know why they want to talk. Maybe you were involved in a crime like a robbery, hit … Continue reading →

Posted in arrest, criminal charges, criminal law, drug dealing, drugs, retail theft, robbery, sexting, shoplifting, suspect | Leave a comment

‘I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE THE MONEY”: WHEN YOU BOUNCE A CHECK DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FUNDS

You have never been very good about managing money, but somehow you have always put enough money in your checking account in time for your checks to clear. Until now. You just wrote some checks, figuring you’d have the money … Continue reading →

Posted in bounced check, class 4 felony, class a misdemeanor, criminal charges, deceptive practices, insufficient funds | Leave a comment

I HAVE A FELONY. WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

You saw some designer jeans that you couldn’t resist, so you stuffed them into your bag. When store security stopped you, the merchandize you had shoplifted cost more than $150, enough to make your offense a Class 3 felony in … Continue reading →

Posted in arraignment, Class 1, Class 4, Class X, cook county courthouse, felony, Maywood, skokie | Leave a comment

BUT I WAS BELOW THE BLOOD ALCOHOL LIMIT!: HOW YOU CAN STILL BE ARRESTED FOR DUI EVEN WITH A BREATHALYZER UNDER .08

You know you didn’t pause on that stop sign quite long enough, and now just your luck, a cop has pulled you over. After approaching your window, the cop looks at you a little strangely and then asks you to … Continue reading →

Posted in blood alcohol limit, breathalyzer, criminal law, driving while under the influence, drunk driving, dui | Leave a comment

CAN THEY DO THAT? SCHOOL SEARCHES OF STUDENTS FOR DRUGS AND WEAPONS

Your high school student just got into the worst trouble of his life. School security searched his locker. After finding some narcotics, the principal demanded the keys to your 17-year-old son’s car and then proceeded to rip apart your trunk. … Continue reading →

Posted in criminal law, drugs, high school, illegal searches, juvenile court, school searches, weapons | Leave a comment

“BUT MY CHILD DIDN’T START IT”: WHEN YOUR CHILD IS FACING SUSPENSION, EXPULSION OR JUVENILE COURT CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR FIGHTING

You’ve been hearing complaints from your high school student about some other kids at school. They keep harassing him, and the school doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it. While you don’t condone violence, you really can’t blame your … Continue reading →

Posted in assault, battery, criminal law, expulsion, fighting, high school, juvenile court | Leave a comment

“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