Traffic safety laws exist not to restrict the freedoms of individual drivers but instead to protect the public from the risk of a major motor vehicle collision. If every driver in Illinois consistently followed traffic laws, the chances of tragic collisions would...
Drug Crimes
Many drug crimes involve or start with prescription drugs
Not so long ago, people generally held a lot of judgment and negativity for those who use drugs. Anyone associated with drug use could face ostracization or worse. Yet, social attitudes toward drug users have certainly changed in recent years. People have become more...
Is non-violent theft a misdemeanor or a felony offense?
It is against the law to steal property that belongs to someone else in Illinois. Prosecutors can bring charges against those accused of stealing merchandise from a shop or committing armed robbery in the streets. Exactly what charges the state pursues and the...
3 common ways Illinois defendants violate their probation terms
Probation is a more lenient sentence than incarceration. Someone who has been sentenced to probation can continue living their life largely like normal despite a conviction or guilty plea. However, they will be subject to monitoring by the state. While someone is on...
How can claims of constructive possession affect drug charges?
Some people get arrested for drug offenses in Illinois because police officers find something in their backpacks, purses or pockets that they believe is contraband. Those individuals could then face prosecution that could lead to a variety of penalties and also a...
3 ways people accused of crimes in Illinois can avoid a trial
There are many reasons why someone accused of a crime in Illinois might want to avoid a criminal trial. Perhaps they worry about the long-term reputation damage that could accompany any media attention paid to their prosecution. Maybe they worry about the cost...
Assault and battery in Illinois: are they the same crime?
It is essential to understand the differences between assault and battery because these terms are often used interchangeably, even though they have different legal meanings. While a person can commit both crimes in the same act, a person can also commit one of the...
People judge intoxication levels based on their environment
Many people attempt to avoid getting a DUI simply by paying attention to their own feelings of intoxication. They will drive to a bar or restaurant with friends, knowing that this opens up the potential for drunk driving on the way home. And they (wisely) tell...
Ways to get out of jail after an arrest
If you've been arrested and charged with a crime, you may not have to stay in jail while waiting for your trial. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you might be able to secure your release through bail, a bond or being released on your own recognizance....
Why do courts let people out on bail?
When someone posts bail, they can pay a certain amount of money to the court so that they don’t have to stay in jail until their trial. They can go home or to another location. They still have to come back for the trial (or an alternative hearing if they choose to...