Category Archives: criminal law

NEW ILLINOIS CRIMINAL LAW ADDRESSES SEXTING OFFENSES

Illinois will have a new sexting law as of January 1, 2011. Governor Patrick Quinn signed this new section of the Illinois Criminal Code last summer. The new law tries to address the problems that arise when the development of … Continue reading

Posted in Class 4, class 4 felony, class a misdemeanor, class B misdemeanor, criminal charges, criminal law, criminal offense, cyberstalking, pornography, sex offender, sexting, texting harrassment, Texting offenses | Leave a comment

‘WHAT IF I DON’T SHOW UP FOR COURT?”: BOND FORFEITURE WARRANTS

Recently you were arrested under Illinois criminal law. That was bad enough, but now you figure there is no point in going to court. After all, you would miss time at work, and since you’re guilty anyway, why should you … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, arrest warrant, bond forfeiture, bond hearing, criminal charges, criminal law, criminal offense, Maywood, Rolling Meadows, skokie, warrant | Leave a comment

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

“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

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

“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

“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

“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