Yearly Archives: 2012

“I DIDN’T REALLY DO ANYTHING”: HOW YOU CAN BE CONVICTED UNDER ILLINOIS ACCOUNTABILITY LAW

You were at a party and a fight broke out. You got involved and even threw a punch or two. But you hardly touched the victim, and it was someone else who landed the victim in the hospital. Now you … Continue reading

Posted in abetting, accountability, aggravated battery, aiding, conspiracy | Leave a comment

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SIGN!” THE LAW ON FORGED CHECKS IN ILLINOIS

Your boyfriend asked you to cash a check for him. He signed the check over to you, and you endorsed it at the bank. It turned out the check was stolen, and you are now facing criminal charges. Can you … Continue reading

Posted in bad checks, bounced check, Class 3 felony, forged checks, forgery | Leave a comment

“I DIDN’T KNOW THE GUN WAS THERE!”: UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM IN ILLINOIS

The police came after your roommate, and in the process, found a pistol in your closet. You didn’t even know the gun was there, but now you are charged with a felony. Can you be convicted of unlawful possession of … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

BIG TROUBLE: THE CRIME OF ARSON IN ILLINOIS

It seemed like a good idea at the time. You spread some gasoline inside a house or maybe it was an abandoned building or a car. In any case, the fire department figured out pretty quickly that the fire was … Continue reading

Posted in arson, Class 1 Felony, Class 2 felony, fire | Leave a comment

WHEN DO I GET MY MIRANDA RIGHTS? POLICE CUSTODY DEFINED

You’ve seen the police shows. After cornering the suspect, the cop begins to read the Miranda rights: “You have the right to remain silent…. You have the right to an attorney….” But when is the officer required to read you … Continue reading

Posted in miranda rights; search and seizure; police search; policy custody; police stop | Leave a comment

“THE OFFICER JUST SAW IT!”: PLAIN VIEW EXCEPTION TO POLICE SEARCHING WITHOUT A WARRANT

You failed to use your turn signal so the police officer pulled you over. After making the stop, the officer noticed some spoons and straws sticking out of your visor. The officer opened the visor. As it turns out, you … Continue reading

Posted in drug offenses, marijuana, narcotic offenses, plain view exception, police car search, police search, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, probable cause, search without a warrant | Leave a comment

MY GIRLFRIEND LET THEM IN! WHEN A VISITOR LETS POLICE SEARCH YOUR HOME

You had some errands to run so you left your house. Your girlfriend often stays with you. She even has a key. Or maybe it was a visiting relative or a housekeeper or someone who watches your child. In any … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, arrest warrant, consent to search, drug crimes, drug dealing, narcotics, search, warrantless search | Leave a comment

THE CRIME OF COMPUTER FRAUD IN ILLINOIS

You’ve always had a knack for technology. So when you needed a little cash, it was just too tempting to hack into the company computer and help yourself. You figured you’d never get caught, but now the police have charged … Continue reading

Posted in computer fraud, Cybercrime, internet crime, internet fraud | Leave a comment

NEW ILLINOIS LAW CRACKS DOWN ON SPEEDERS ONCE AGAIN

A new Illinois law has cracked down on speeders even more. Speeding first became criminalized as a misdemeanor in 2011. Driving more than 31 miles over the limit was upgraded to a Class B Misdemeanor, while speeding 40 and over … Continue reading

Posted in class a misdemeanor, class B misdemeanor, speeding | Leave a comment

HOW LITTLE PROBLEMS BECOME BIG PROBLEMS: WHEN A PETTY OFFENSE TURNS INTO A MISDEMEANOR OR FELONY

A man was walking down the middle of a road instead of the sidewalk or shoulder. In Illinois, you must use a sidewalk where provided or at least walk on the shoulder. The man was arrested for a petty offense, … Continue reading

Posted in felony, misdemeanor, petty offense, search and seizure, search of car, traffic stop | Leave a comment