Sentences

What Should You Do if You Are Served a Bench Warrant in Illinois?

November 11, 2024
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Imagine hearing a knock at the door during a family dinner. You get up to answer the door, only to find an officer waiting to inform you that they are there to bring you in on an outstanding bench warrant.  This example goes to show how serious a bench warrant is. Unfortunately, this outcome is […]

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Concealed Carry Laws in Illinois: Laws & Penalties

October 30, 2024
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The second amendment of the US Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms to its citizens. Despite the guarantees of the constitution, gun issues have long been a hot topic of debate around the country, and particularly in Illinois.  Illinois Gun laws are among the most strict in the country. Because of that reputation for […]

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What does it mean to resist arrest or obstruct a peace officer?

August 18, 2022
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NOTE: This article was updated to account for Public Act 101-652, which takes effect on January 1, 2023. Starting on that date, this Act will make adjustments to the Illinois laws concerning resisting arrest offenses under 720 ILCS 5/31-1. One of the most common misdemeanor offenses charged in the State of Illinois is resisting or […]

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How Does Illinois Address Possession of a Controlled Substance?

July 29, 2022
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The unlawful possession of illegal drugs is an exceedingly common charge in Illinois. Referred to legally as controlled substances, possession crimes involving these drugs can be extremely serious for an alleged offender. A guilty verdict can result in stringent penalties under Illinois law, up to and including jail or prison time and hefty criminal fines. […]

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What if I got a DUI but I already had two supervisions in one year?

June 10, 2022
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The law in Illinois allows each defendant only two supervisions for moving violations in a year. So what happens when someone who has had two supervisions on their record gets a DUI?

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Illinois felonies result in conviction despite fact that offender has no criminal background

April 21, 2022
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NOTE: This article was updated to reflect 2019 changes to Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-593. This change became effective on December 4, 2019, updating various statutes addressing marijuana and related offenses. A person with no experience in the criminal justice system will see that the courts make a distinction between felony and […]

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Conviction for felony offense involving a motor vehicle will suspend your Illinois driver’s license

April 19, 2022
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NOTE: The article below was modified to explain how the License to Work Act (Public Act 101-623) changed Illinois law concerning driver’s license suspension. After an effective date of July 1, 2020, the License to Work act effectively eliminated driver’s license suspension for non-moving violations, including many felony offenses that did not involve a motor […]

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Misdemeanor convictions that cannot be sealed: crimes of violence

April 14, 2022
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NOTE: This page has new content to clarify the recent impact of Public Act 101-223 (effective January 1, 2020) and Public Act 101-651 (effective August 7, 2020). These Acts adjusted the Illinois approach to standard and aggravated domestic battery offenses, including the possibility of a felony charge. A person convicted of a misdemeanor can have […]

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I got a DUI and it is my third offense. What are the penalties in Illinois?

January 5, 2022
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NOTE: This article was updated to changes to Illinois DUI laws under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (Illinois House Bill 1438). After January 1, 2020, in-state residents and visitors are allowed to purchase and use cannabis recreationally. But they must refrain from operating a motor vehicle while impaired by cannabis. Or they can face […]

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I got a ticket for passing a stopped school bus. What are the penalties provided by Illinois law?

December 20, 2021
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NOTE: The information below was changed to shed light on Illinois legal changes with passage of Public Act 101-55. Once this Act became effective on January 1, 2020, the penalties for passing a stopped school bus became more severe. A ticket for failing to stop for a school bus can be expensive and suspend your […]

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