Yearly Archives: 2019

WHAT IS OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE IN ILLINOIS?

Two officers were chasing a suspect down an alley. The suspect happens to be your cousin. The officers asked you which way you he ran and you pointed them in the opposite direction. Can you be charged with a crime? … Continue reading

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VIOLATING AN ORDER OF PROTECTION IN ILLINOIS

Your ex-spouse has an order of protection against you. You thought it was still okay to call her best friend, but now the police have arrested you for violating the order. What is the law? What can you do? You … Continue reading

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CAN MY OUT-OF-STATE CONVICTION BE USED AS A PRIOR OFFENSE IN MY ILLINOIS CRIMINAL CASE?

The police arrested you for a felony in Illinois. The prosecution wants to use your prior conviction in another state to upgrade your charges or increase your sentence. Can they do that? The answer depends on the specific law involved. … Continue reading

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CAN THEY PROVE I HAD A GUN?

After a car accident, you and the other driver started argueing. You grabbed your cell phone, but the other driver told police you had a gun. You did have a gun in your glove compartment, but you never removed it. … Continue reading

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WHAT IS AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE IN ILLINOIS?

In Illinois, a charge of criminal sexual abuse can be upgraded to a Class 2 felony if during the offense: You use a dangerous weapon or other object such that the victim reasonably believes you have a dangerous weapon; You … Continue reading

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CAN POLICE USE A DOG TO SEARCH OUTSIDE MY MOTEL ROOM WITHOUT A WARRANT?

UPDATED: August 4, 2020 You are staying at a motel. You heard some people with a dog outside your room, but you thought nothing of it. A little while later, the police were at your door. The dog you heard … Continue reading

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THE CRIME OF IDENTITY THEFT IN ILLINOIS

Illinois law prohibits several types of identity theft. Perhaps the most basic definition is where you knowingly used the personal identifying information or documents of another person to fraudulently obtain credit, money, goods, services or other property or to commit … Continue reading

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CAN EVIDENCE THAT AN OFFICER SAID “FELL OUT OF MY POCKET” BE USED AGAINST ME?

You were walking through a back alley when the police officer stopped you. In the police report, the officer claims that a packet of drugs or an illegal weapon simply fell out of your pocket. That simply didn’t happen, but … Continue reading

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CAN I BE CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED BATTERY IF THE OFFICER IS OFF DUTY?

You picked a fight with the wrong guy–an off duty police officer who was moonlighting as a bouncer at your favorite bar. The charge would have been simple battery if the bouncer hadn’t been a cop, but instead you are … Continue reading

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THE CRIME OF UNAUTHORIZED VIDEO RECORDING IN ILLINOIS

In these days of ready access to webcams, cell phones and live video streaming, Illinois law has laid down some limits. Ignoring those limits can cost you criminal charges. Under 720 ILCS 5/26-4, you may be charged with a misdemeanor … Continue reading

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