Category Archives: Uncategorized

WHEN CAN YOU USE DEADLY FORCE IN DEFENSE OF A DWELLING?

            It is very late at night.  You hear someone prowling outside your window.  You want to take some sort of action, but at what point are you allowed to use deadly force to defend your home?              According to … Continue reading

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DOES A PARDON AUTOMATICALLY EXPUNGE MY ILLINOIS CRIMINAL CASE?

The answer is no, but it is generally possible to get a pardon case expunged by filing a petition in the county where your criminal case occurred. The chief judge of that county, however, has full discretion over whether to … Continue reading

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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET AN ILLINOIS PARDON?

Obtaining an answer to your petition for executive clemency could take as little as a few months, but usually it takes much longer. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board accepts petitions for executive clemency at all times, but the wait for … Continue reading

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DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY TO GET AN ILLINOIS PARDON?

The answer is no.  Even so, you may want to consider hiring one. In order to file an Illinois pardon, certain critical documents are needed.  You can probably get most of these with minimal difficulty.  The harder part is writing … Continue reading

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CAN I CLEAR MY OLD ILLINOIS ARREST WARRANT WHEN I LIVE OUT OF STATE?

Many years ago you were young and reckless.  You got arrested in Illinois.  You wanted to pretend your case didn’t exist, so you skipped out on your court date and eventually moved out of state.  Older and wiser, you worry … Continue reading

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WHAT IS CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO A RESIDENCE IN ILLINOIS?

You were invited to a party at the apartment of someone you didn’t know very well. The party was fun, and you drank a lot. Shortly after you left early in the morning, you realized you forgot your coat. You … Continue reading

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WHAT TO EXPECT FOR YOUR FIRST COURT APPEARANCE ON ZOOM COURT IN ILLINOIS

Although courts are doing more in person, many court appearances still take place on zoom in the Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Daley Center and other courthouses. This can seem intimidating, but it’s really not that scary. When you are arrested for … Continue reading

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ASSAULTING A POLICE OFFICER DURING A DUI IN ILLINOIS

The officer stopped you for DUI near your home. You tried to reason with him to let you go. When he didn’t, you drunkenly tried to hit him. You missed. But now you are charged with aggravated assault on top … Continue reading

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CAN I BE CONVICTED FOR ABETTING A CRIME WHEN I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING?

Your cousin asked you to drive him to a convenience store. He ran in to pick up some lottery tickets, then came running out, jumped in your car and told you to take off. Later, you learned he’d committed an … Continue reading

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CAN YOU GET IN TROUBLE FOR CONCEALING A HOMICIDAL DEATH IN ILLINOIS?

The answer is yes, if you knew the deceased had been murdered and you did something to conceal the death beyond simply withholding information. Under 720 ILCS 5/9-3.4, you commit concealment of homicidal death when you knowingly conceal a death … Continue reading

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