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Being arrested and charged with a crime can be a frightening experience for anyone, but it can be especially worrisome for minors. Children who are still maturing may make mistakes without realizing the consequences of their actions. Unfortunately, juvenile offenses can impact a child’s future, affecting his or her ability to find a job or pursue education. Juvenile theft is one of the most common charges that minors may face, and parents will want to understand the procedures that will be followed in juvenile courts and the potential consequences their child may face.
Minors may be charged with multiple different types of theft. Charges related to shoplifting or retail theft are among the most common, but children may also be arrested on suspicion of offenses such as motor vehicle theft or theft of property. The severity of the charges will depend on the value of the property stolen. For example, retail theft of items valued at $300 or less is a Class A misdemeanor, but retail theft of property worth more than $300 is a Class 3 felony.
If you have taken a driver’s education course in the state of Illinois, you have likely seen informational videos about the dangers of driving intoxicated. They often show graphic car accident scenes, emotional testimonies from family members who have lost loved ones, and a dramatic moment when the police officer asks the driver to blow into their gun-like device, commonly known as a breathalyzer. Rightfully so, these videos are meant to scare Illinois drivers into driving sober at all times. While it is never a good idea to drive after multiple drinks, many motorists will still get behind the wheel after a few too many. You may think that you will never find yourself in this situation, but it is important to be aware of the laws surrounding chemical testing if you are ever stopped by an officer.
Road work areas are a common sight on Illinois roads. While they can be a nuisance, leading to slow traffic and difficulty navigating unfamiliar traffic patterns, they can also lead to serious consequences for drivers who commit traffic violations. Failure to follow traffic laws in construction zones can result in expensive tickets, and drivers may even face criminal charges in some cases.
The speed limit is usually lowered in work zones, and signs will be posted notifying drivers that they must reduce speed and displaying the fines a person may face for speeding in a construction zone. Work areas are often closely monitored by police officers, or photo enforcement may be used to ensure that motorists are taking the proper measures to protect the safety of workers. Drivers are required to follow work zone speed limits even if there are no workers present.
Getting a speeding ticket is never pleasant, but if it happens to you, you may at least expect that the worst that can happen is you will have to pay a fine. However, in some situations, speeding in Illinois can result in significantly greater penalties, including criminal charges. It is important to be aware of the extent of the consequences you may face for speeding so that you can determine whether you need an attorney to help you contest the charges.
The severity of possible penalties for speeding depends on how far above the speed limit you were traveling and the area in which the violation occurred. In general, speeding offenses that can result in Illinois criminal charges fall under the category of aggravated speeding, which is defined as driving more than 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Specifically:
Domestic disputes are an unfortunate reality of many people’s lives. Spouses, romantic partners, parents, children, or other family members often get into arguments, and these sometimes escalate to the point where one or more of the people involved do not feel safe. This has become even more of a concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, since many families have been required to remain at home to prevent the spread of infection, and this close, constant proximity may lead to increased tensions between family members. When this is added to stress from the loss of a job, the requirement to provide childcare for children who cannot physically attend school, and other factors, it is no surprise that the rates of domestic violence have increased during this public health crisis.
An accusation of domestic violence can affect a person’s life in a variety of ways. In addition to potential criminal charges, an order of protection may also be issued, and this can have far-reaching consequences on the life of the accused, as well as other family members. It is important to understand how Illinois law approaches domestic violence and the steps a person can take to defend against these types of allegations.
Getting pulled over when you are driving is never a good feeling. You may be worried about the ticket price of the traffic violation or be concerned about the other consequences that may follow. As of late, Americans have become increasingly concerned about their personal safety during interactions with law enforcement. With racial tensions at an all-time high and police-civilian interactions especially contentious, routine traffic stops can make many drivers more nervous than normal.
When being pulled over, it is important to remember that police officers are equally as cautious about potential dangers as the driver. Police officers risk their lives on a daily basis, and many have seen their friends and co-workers get severely or fatally injured while on the job. In order to put both the police officer and driver at ease, it is important that Illinois drivers adhere to the following guidelines.
It is not uncommon for someone to try to test the limits at least once in his or her life. For some individuals, this may involve stealing a low-priced item. Perhaps you put a candy bar in your pocket or slipped a cheap bottle of nail polish in your purse. Technically, you have committed a criminal offense, though the charges would be minor since the price of the item stolen is so low. The proper legal term for shoplifting is known as retail theft and there are actually a number of ways that this crime can be committed. Depending on the price of the item taken, the criminal charges can vary from a low-level misdemeanor to a serious felony in Illinois.
Illinois legislation names several different actions that all fall under the category of retail theft. Some of these descriptions are fairly obvious, while others you may not have known are considered theft at all. All of the following actions are considered retail theft and you can face criminal charges for knowingly doing any of the following:
Across the country, more and more states are beginning to loosen the restrictions on laws surrounding the possession and use of marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes. Currently, there are 33 states that permit residents with certain conditions to use marijuana, while only 11 states, including Illinois, allow recreational use of marijuana. Even though cannabis is legal for adults to possess and consume, many people do not know that you can actually be charged with a DUI if you get caught while driving while you are under the influence of marijuana. This can result in significant criminal penalties, so it is imperative to consult a skilled attorney to understand your defense options.
With the recent legalization of recreational marijuana for adults over the age of 21, some were concerned with how the change would affect existing DUI laws. However, the laws are clear that cannabis is included as a prohibited intoxicating substance, despite the reason for its use. According to the most recent Illinois DUI Fact Book, “A driver may not operate a motor vehicle while impaired by the use of cannabis, whether used medically or recreationally.”
One of the most well-known aspects of the United States’ culture is how much emphasis is put on personal freedoms, especially when it comes to firearms. To the Founding Fathers, access to firearms was so important that they even included a provision for them in the Constitution. However, with the changes that have taken place in the world since the 1700s and now, gun ownership is not an absolute right in the United States and is actually left up to individual states to set rules and regulations. In Illinois, residents must qualify for, apply, and receive a firearm owner identification (FOID) card before they are legally permitted to purchase or possess firearms or ammunition. Possessing either without a FOID card could result in serious weapons charges that could elevate to felony charges. A skilled criminal defense attorney can help you avoid a conviction if you are facing any type of firearms violation.
The United States has always had an interesting culture surrounding firearms, one that the majority of the rest of the world does not quite understand. The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that citizens are given the right to bear arms, but firearm ownership is very much a state issue. In Illinois, citizens can legally purchase and own a firearm once they have applied and been approved for a firearm owner identification (FOID) card. However, gun violence is still an issue across the country and in Illinois. This is why the state passed a so-called “red flag” law in an attempt to temporarily prevent those with access to guns from committing violent criminal acts.
Red flag laws, which are also sometimes called extreme risk laws, are not unique to the state of Illinois. In fact, Illinois was one of the most recent states to pass a red flag law and only just passed the law in 2018. Although red flag laws differ from state to state, they all aim to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a risk to others. In some states, only certain people, like police officers or other law enforcement officials, can file a petition to remove a person’s firearms.
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