Analyzing 4 Varieties of Illinois Arson Charges

May 9, 2022
Thumbnail image for Analyzing 4 Varieties of Illinois Arson Charges

Arson is an Illinois crime that involves fire or explosives. Unlike accidental fires, where no one is responsible for any damage or injury, arson requires intentional action. Correspondingly, arson offenders are held criminally responsible for any damage or injury caused. Though there are actually four varieties of arson in Illinois, with criminal punishment fluctuating based […]

Read the full article

I got a ticket for driving while suspended in Illinois and this is my second offense. What happens now?

April 27, 2022
Thumbnail image for I got a ticket for driving while suspended in Illinois and this is my second offense. What happens now?

NOTE: This page reflects new material to explain how the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (Public Act 101-0027) adjusted Illinois DUI laws on January 1, 2020. Since that time, cannabis is legal to possess and use recreationally. But it remains an Illinois DUI offense to operate a motor vehicle while impaired by cannabis. Illinois law […]

Read the full article

I got arrested by an undercover officer. Is that entrapment?

April 25, 2022
Thumbnail image for I got arrested by an undercover officer. Is that entrapment?

Under Illinois law, a person arrested for a criminal offense when the police have acted deceptively (e.g., undercover) may be able to assert a defense of entrapment.

Read the full article

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

April 21, 2022
Thumbnail image for Illinois felonies result in conviction despite fact that offender has no criminal background

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 […]

Read the full article

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

April 19, 2022
Thumbnail image for Conviction for felony offense involving a motor vehicle will suspend your Illinois driver’s license

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 […]

Read the full article

Misdemeanor convictions that cannot be sealed: crimes of violence

April 14, 2022
Thumbnail image for Misdemeanor convictions that cannot be sealed: crimes of violence

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 […]

Read the full article

Possession of a fraudulent identification card: a serious offense

April 7, 2022
Thumbnail image for Possession of a fraudulent identification card: a serious offense

NOTE: There is new content on this page to account for passage of Public Act 101-440 on January 1, 2020. Since that date, there are additional good behavior credits available to eligible inmates upon completion of specific programs. Many people would be surprised to know that possessing a fake ID in the state of Illinois […]

Read the full article

How Does Illinois Define & Punish Cannabis Delivery Crimes?

March 29, 2022
Thumbnail image for How Does Illinois Define & Punish Cannabis Delivery Crimes?

The State of Illinois legalized cannabis for recreational possession and use in January 2020. Since that time, residents and out-of-state visitors over the age of 21 can possess and use cannabis legally, subject to possession limits and other restrictions. Despite the transition to recreationally legal cannabis, Illinois maintains laws against and penalties for cannabis delivery. […]

Read the full article

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

January 5, 2022
Thumbnail image for I got a DUI and it is my third offense. What are the penalties in Illinois?

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 […]

Read the full article

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

December 20, 2021
Thumbnail image for I got a ticket for passing a stopped school bus. What are the penalties provided by Illinois law?

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 […]

Read the full article

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →