Yearly Archives: 2015

CAN POLICE SEARCH YOUR COMPUTER?

The police are at your door. A neighbor complained about a disturbance and they came to investigate. You figure you have nothing to hide in your home so you consent to the search. But you do have something to hide—only … Continue reading

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NEW ILLINOIS LAW REQUIRES POLICE BODY CAMERAS AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. The vast majority of police are good people trying to do a difficult job in community service. Unfortunately, the recent epidemic of unjustifiable police killings have spotlighted more than a few … Continue reading

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CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO STATE SUPPORTED LAND IN ILLINOIS

A special Illinois statute makes trespassing on state-supported land a criminal offense. What exactly does that mean? What can happen to you? You can be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor if you enter or stay on land supported by … Continue reading

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2015 UPDATES TO ILLINOIS CONCEALED CARRY LAW

Illinois has tweaked its Concealed Carry law for the first time since its passage in 2013. Under the revised law, if you are carrying a firearm in an auto, police or emergency personnel may secure the weapon if they deem … Continue reading

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THE OFFICER WAS WRONG ABOUT ILLINOIS LAW! CAN HE STILL ARREST ME?

The police are charged with enforcing the law. But what if they misunderstand that law? What if the officer stops you based on his or her mistaken belief about what the law really means? Will a judge allow the evidence … Continue reading

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DO I NEED A TRANSLATOR FOR CRIMINAL COURT IN ILLINOIS?

The answer to that question depends on how comfortable you are using the English language. If there is any doubt, it may be best to err on the side of caution and ask for an interpreter early in your case. … Continue reading

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WHEN ARE YOU UNDER ARREST? MIRANDA RIGHTS AND POLICE CUSTODY IN ILLINOIS

The exact moment when a police interrogation turns into an arrest is not always clear. But that is the moment when the police must read your Miranda rights—those rights to remain silent and have an attorney present. Miranda must be … Continue reading

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THE LAW ON PROVING POSSESSION OF DRUGS OR WEAPONS IN ILLINOIS

The police are at your door with a search warrant or maybe they’ve stopped your car for a traffic ticket. In either case, they uncovered drugs, weapons or some other contraband. Can they prove the illegal goods are really yours? … Continue reading

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THE CRIMINAL BURDEN OF PROOF IN ILLINOIS

Under our system of government, you are innocent until proven guilty. For most crimes, this means the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt all the elements of a crime, and that the defendant committed that crime. For example, if … Continue reading

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THE INTOXICATION DEFENSE IN ILLINOIS

Under limited circumstances, being drunk or drugged can be a defense to a crime in Illinois. Intoxication is only a defense when 1) it was involuntarily produced and 2) it deprived you of the substantial capacity to either appreciate the … Continue reading

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