Conviction

Criminal conviction can result in deportation, even for permanent residents

July 1, 2013
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NOTE: This page was refreshed to explain changes to Illinois law under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. When this Act became state law on January 1, 2020, Illinois officially legalized the recreational possession and use of cannabis as well as modified numerous cannabis-related crimes. The impact of a criminal conviction can be long-lasting and […]

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Job applicants with criminal records may find employment under new EEOC policy

October 29, 2012
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As anyone with a criminal record can tell you, one conviction can have a devastating impact on your future. When you apply for a job with a criminal record, you usually don’t expect to make it past the background check. But that all may change soon under an important policy change with the Equal Employment […]

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Summary of sentencing rules for misdemeanor offenders

December 5, 2011
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The potential penalties for a Class A misdemeanor offense include up to one year in the county jail and a maximum fine of $2500. Technically, a sentence of incarceration can last for only 364 days. A jail sentence of 365 days or more is only permissible for a felony offense. Additionally, any sentence lasting one […]

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Examining State Police expungement statistics

October 4, 2011
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The Illinois State Police are mandated by law to keep track of how many petitions to expunge or seal they receive each year, and what the outcome is. This is a new legal obligation. It became mandatory through the Expungement Backlog Accountability Law. 20 ILCS 2630/14. In the past, the State Police were notorious for […]

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Statistics show increase in felony charges across state of Illinois

May 29, 2011
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The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has been tracking felony and misdemeanor filings in state courts throughout Illinois over the years, and their findings may surprise you. The findings come as no surprise, however, to attorneys and judges handling these caseloads. The studies prove that, on average, prosecutors are seeking stiffer penalties more than ever. […]

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What does it mean to be convicted of a crime in Illinois?

February 28, 2011
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One of the most frequently misused terms in criminal law is conviction.  All too often a person will talk about a case and say that if they’re found guilty they were convicted.  But this is not entirely accurate. Under Illinois law, when a person is found guilty the court enters a judgment against him.  The […]

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How long will I lose my Illinois driver’s license for a DUI conviction?

March 9, 2010
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A conviction for violating 625 ILCS 5/11-501, the Illinois DUI law, will result in a mandatory driver’s license revocation by the Secretary of State. The law provides the following: Sec. 6-205. Mandatory revocation of license or permit; Hardship cases. (a) Except as provided in this Section, the Secretary of State shall immediately revoke the license, […]

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

February 5, 2010
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Under Illinois law, a person who is arrested by a police officer but does not cooperate runs the risk of getting charged with resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

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Can I get court supervision for a first-time DUI if I have a prior reckless driving charge on my record?

February 3, 2010
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If a driver has a prior reckless driving charge on his record (also called a driver’s abstract), then he is not eligible for supervision on his first Illinois DUI offense.

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