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Recent Blog Posts

Legal Strategies for Fighting Theft Charges in Illinois

 Posted on March 15, 2024 in Theft

Rolling Meadows criminal defense lawyerFacing theft charges can be an incredibly overwhelming experience. The consequences of a conviction can have far-reaching impacts on your life, including potential fines, probation, or even jail time. However, it is crucial to understand that you have legal rights and options to defend yourself against these charges. An Illinois lawyer can help you explore potential legal strategies for fighting theft charges.

Challenging the Evidence

One of the most effective strategies in defending against theft charges is to challenge the evidence presented by the prosecution. In Illinois, the burden of proof lies with the state, and they must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Your attorney can scrutinize the evidence, looking for weaknesses, inconsistencies, or violations of your constitutional rights during the investigation or evidence collection process.

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Should You Dispute Breath Test Results For an Illinois DUI?

 Posted on February 29, 2024 in DUI

Rolling Meadows, IL dui defense attorneyA DUI charge can cause chaos in your life in an instant. Many drunk driving arrests rely heavily on breathalyzer readings to establish blood alcohol content (BAC) levels. However, these devices are imperfect and mishandling results happens often. An Illinois lawyer can help you to contest questionable breath tests in court and whether doing so aligns with your best legal interests.

How Do Breath Tests Work and Why Should I Challenge Them?

Breath analyzers estimate BAC through an infrared spectroscopic analysis of your breath. But the reliability depends on proper device calibration, testing protocols, and operator skill. Procedural deviations could make the numbers inaccurately high or low. By examining maintenance records and administrator errors, a defense lawyer may succeed in excluding faulty breath results.

Potential Breath Testing Mistakes

Mistakes often happen during breathalyzer testing. Watch for these issues:

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Will I Be on the Sex Offender Registry if I Am Accused of a Sex Crime? 

 Posted on March 02, 2023 in Sex Crimes

Oakbrook Terrace Sexual Offense LawyerThe sex offender registry is a list of people who have been convicted of certain sex crimes. The list is published online, and anyone can search it to see if someone has been convicted of a sex crime. As you can imagine, being included on the sex offender registry can have serious consequences for a person’s reputation and future opportunities.

When someone is listed on the Illinois sex offender registry, they must comply with certain restrictions and follow a specific set of rules. For example, an individual accused of a sex crime involving a minor may be prohibited from living near a school or public park.

If you were arrested for an alleged sex crime, it is crucial that you understand your rights and legal options. Speak to a sex crime defense lawyer for personalized legal support.

Illinois Offenses that Require Registry on the Sex Offender List

Before discussing the crimes that require sex offender registration, it is important to note that a criminal conviction is not the same thing as being charged with a crime. When someone is charged with a crime, they are formally accused of committing the crime. However, in the United States, all individuals are assumed innocent until proven guilty. You will have the opportunity to defend yourself against the charges and tell your side of the story. If you are acquitted of the offense, you will not be required to register on the sex offender list.

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Illinois Drug Charges Involving Hydrocodone

 Posted on February 02, 2023 in Criminal Law

Rolling Meadows Hydrocodone Charges LawyerHydrocodone, or Vicodin, is considered a Schedule II controlled substance in Illinois, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and dependence. Any possession, sale, manufacture, or distribution of this drug without proper authorization is strictly prohibited by law and can lead to severe penalties. Many people assume that they cannot face severe penalties for a substance that is frequently prescribed by physicians. However, a criminal conviction for a drug crime such as possession of hydrocodone can have life-changing consequences.

If you or someone you love are currently facing criminal charges for possessing or selling hydrocodone, it is important to understand the law, your rights, and the penalties for this offense. Reach out to a criminal defense lawyer to receive personalized guidance.

What are the Criminal Penalties for Vicodin in Illinois?

In Illinois, hydrocodone possession is a Class 4 felony at a minimum if the person allegedly possessing the pills did not have a valid prescription for them. The prison sentence for a Class 4 felony conviction can range from one to three years in prison. Criminal penalties increase if the person possessed large quantities of controlled substances or items used in the distribution of controlled substances, such as baggies, scales, and large quantities of cash. These items may lead to accusations of drug distribution or drug dealing.

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Blood Alcohol Test Inaccuracies Can Lead to Acquittal or Dismissal 

 Posted on January 06, 2023 in DUI

Rolling Meadows DUI Defense LawyerWhen someone is arrested for drunk driving, they are often required to undergo blood alcohol testing. The blood alcohol limit in Illinois is .08 percent. If someone's BAC is above this limit, they will be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). However, blood alcohol tests are not always accurate. Various problems with the administration, storage, and analysis of a blood sample can lead to unreliable results. In some cases, these issues can lead to acquittal or dismissal of the DUI charges.

Problems with Blood Alcohol Testing for DUI

Blood tests are used to determine whether someone is intoxicated and are often crucial forms of evidence in a DUI case. However, there are a few ways that blood alcohol testing can be inaccurate or unreliable.

  • Unqualified Individuals - Only certain individuals are qualified to administer a blood test. If the person administering the test is not adequately trained, the results could be unusable during the DUI case.

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4 Myths and Misconceptions About Criminal Cases in Illinois

 Posted on December 15, 2022 in Criminal Law

Rolling Meadows Criminal LawyerRumors, television crime dramas, and the media have perpetuated many different myths and misunderstandings about the criminal justice system. When someone is arrested on suspicion of a crime, well-meaning but ill-informed friends and family often further complicate the situation by sharing inaccurate information. In this blog, we will explore some of the most common falsehoods about police, arrests, and the criminal justice system.

Myth: Cooperating with Police May Lead to a Lower Sentence

If you have ever been interrogated by police or watched a TV show depicting an interrogation, you may have seen police offering to “help” the defendant in exchange for the defendant’s cooperation. For example, the police may say, “If you answer my questions, I can help you out.” They may imply that confessing will lead to a lower jail sentence or reduced charges. However, police do not have the authority to determine a defendant’s charges or the length of his or her jail sentence. These are just tactics used to get a confession.

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Responding to Criminal Charges for Unlawful Use of a Weapon

 Posted on November 10, 2022 in Weapons Charges

Oakbrook Terrace Criminal Defense AttorneyWhile the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives us the right to bear arms, possession of firearms and other weapons is limited by state and federal laws. Violating these laws can lead to significant criminal penalties, including jail time. If you or a loved one were charged with a firearm or weapon-related offense, seek legal counsel immediately. You will want to start building a defense against the accusations as soon as possible.

Illinois Weapons Laws

Illinois state has strict rules regarding who may carry a firearm and where firearms are permitted. Anyone who wants to own a firearm or ammunition must get a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID). The Illinois Concealed Carry Act requires Illinois residents to obtain a permit to carry a gun in public. Certain weapons are prohibited entirely. You are not allowed to have machine guns, stun guns, throwing stars, explosives, or switchblades in Illinois.

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How to Handle False Allegations of Assault or Battery

 Posted on October 05, 2022 in Assault

Rolling Meadows Criminal LawyerBeing accused of assault or battery is a serious matter. If you are convicted, you could face jail time, a steep fine, and other criminal consequences. Even if you are ultimately cleared of the charges, the mere accusation can damage your reputation. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to take immediate action to protect your rights.

Do Not Talk to the Police Without an Attorney Present

If the police want to talk to you about an allegation of assault or battery, it is important that you have an attorney present. Do not try to talk your way out of the situation or offer any kind of explanation. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. Remember that you have the right to remain silent and should exercise that right until you have legal counsel present.

Do Not Talk to the Alleged Victim

In some cases, the alleged victim may try to contact you directly, either by phone call or social media message. It is essential that you do not respond to these attempts at communication. Anything you say to the alleged victim can be used as evidence against you in court. If you must communicate with the person who has accused you, always do so through your attorney.

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Plea Bargaining for Violent Offenses in Illinois

 Posted on September 09, 2022 in Criminal Law

Rolling Meadows Criminal Defense LawyerAny criminal charge can be life-changing, but the criminal penalties and personal consequences associated with violent offenses are especially severe. If you or a loved one were charged with domestic battery, sexual assault, homicide, or another violent offense, the need for strong legal counsel cannot be overstated. Your lawyer can investigate your case and determine the best way to proceed. In some cases, the defendant's best option is to fight the charges at trial and hope for an acquittal. In other cases, it is better to arrange a plea deal or plea bargain. 

What is a Plea Bargain?

A plea bargain is an agreement between the prosecutor and the defendant in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest to a criminal charge in exchange for a reduced sentence or some other benefit. For example, a prosecutor might agree to reduce a felony charge to a misdemeanor in exchange for a guilty plea. Or, the prosecutor might agree to recommend a reduced sentence in exchange for a guilty plea. 

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Is it Possible to Get Out of a DUI If You Blew Over 0.08 Percent?

 Posted on August 18, 2022 in DUI

Oakbrook Terrace DUI Defense LawyerMost people are familiar with the “legal limit” for blood alcohol content (BAC). In 49 U.S. states, including Illinois, the legal limit is 0.08 percent. A driver with a BAC of 0.08 percent or more is intoxicated “per se,” or intoxicated as a matter of law. If you are pulled over by the police, given a breath test, and the results show a BAC over the legal limit, you will be arrested for drunk driving.

However, in some cases, it is possible for an individual to avoid conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) even if they blew over 0.08 percent. Read on to learn more.

Breathalyzer Test Results May Be Unreliable

The portable breathalyzers police carry around with them are used to establish probable cause for the DUI arrest. Once someone is arrested, they take a second breath test at the police station. The results of this evidentiary test are used as evidence in the DUI case.

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