first offense

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

First felony offense eligible for deferred prosecution under Offender Initiative Program

September 24, 2021
Thumbnail image for First felony offense eligible for deferred prosecution under Offender Initiative Program

NOTE: This article includes new subject matter to elucidate the impact of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (Public Act 101-0027). When this Act became effective on January 1, 2020, cannabis became legal for recreational possession and use in Illinois. The Offender Initiative Program Under Illinois law, a person who is charged with a felony […]

Read the full article

What is the Cannabis Law in Illinois?

March 17, 2016
Thumbnail image for What is the Cannabis Law in Illinois?

NOTE: The information below was modified to clarify the effect of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. After this Act became Illinois law on January 1, 2020, cannabis became legal for recreational possession and use, which also impacted various criminal offenses related to cannabis. Cannabis was formerly illegal to possess or use in the state […]

Read the full article

Overview: Expunging Your Criminal Record in Illinois

February 27, 2016
Thumbnail image for Overview: Expunging Your Criminal Record in Illinois

NOTE: This article was refreshed to account for Public Act 102-933, which became part of Illinois law on January 1, 2023. Since that date, Illinois modified the Criminal Identification Act to enable a person to request expungement, even after testing positive for cannabis. Expungement is the process where a criminal court disposition is removed from […]

Read the full article

New Illinois law criminalizes possession of bath salts, K2 and Spice

July 22, 2011
Thumbnail image for New Illinois law criminalizes possession of bath salts, K2 and Spice

Illinois governor Pat Quinn signed a law on July 22, 2011 that makes it a criminal offense to possess bath salts. Bath salts are also known as MDPV, and cause a hallucinogenic experience with the user. A woman in downstate Illinois died from an overdose of bath salts within the last year. Illinois is now […]

Read the full article