Offenses are segregated into two different groups within the criminal justice system: felonies and misdemeanors. Under Illinois law, prosecutors consider the facts of the case and the severity of a crime before classifying it as a felony or misdemeanor. Misdemeanors generally carry lighter sentences than felony charges. These crimes may not be punished with more [...]
The use of marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes is completely legal in the state of Illinois. Individuals aged 21 years or older can legally buy marijuana from licensed dispensaries across the state. At the same time, Illinois law places strict restrictions on marijuana usage and the amount of marijuana an individual can possess. [...]
What Is Shoplifting? Shoplifting, also referred to as retail theft, is generally defined as the act of stealing items from a retail store without paying for them. It's considered a criminal offense under Illinois law and can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony – depending on the circumstances. In this article, we take [...]
White-collar crime is a term used to describe a wide range of offenses that are committed for the purpose of financial gain and often involve an element of deceit, concealment, or violation of trust. The most common examples of white-collar crimes include fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, and money laundering. How Do White-Collar Crimes Differ From [...]
Being falsely accused of domestic violence can be an extremely distressing experience. Aside from the potentially irreversible breakdown of your relationship with the accuser, the possibility of facing criminal penalties can make you feel concerned about your reputation and your future. While defending against domestic violence charges can seem like an insurmountable challenge, it can [...]
Under Illinois law, criminal offenses are broadly divided into three categories – petty offenses, misdemeanor offenses, and felony offenses. Of these, felony offenses are extremely serious in nature and carry harsh penalties – ranging from thousands of dollars in fines to lengthy prison sentences. In this short guide, we will take a look at the [...]
Sexual assault is, unfortunately, more prevalent in the US than most people might like to think. Data shows that 81% of women and 43% of men are subjected to some form of sexual assault in their lifetime. At the same time, we must recognize that false allegations of sexual assault are also a problem that [...]
Being pulled over on suspicion of DUI can be an unnerving experience. The mere possibility of getting arrested can make you nervous and cause you to make mistakes. If you get pulled over, it is essential to understand your rights so you don't accidentally incriminate yourself. Under Illinois law, police officers need to have probable [...]
PEOPLE V. E.F. E.F. was arrested after driving with his headlights off. After being curbed, the officer’s smelled cannabis and ordered all occupants of the vehicle out of the car. E.F. owned the vehicle and was driving. Upon searching the vehicle a firearm was recovered in the center console and E.F. was charged with Aggravated [...]
H.K. H.K., a police officer was being investigated for testing positive of cocaine during a random drug test through the police department. H.K., an officer on the force for over a decade, risked losing his job, his pension and any opportunity of being a law enforcement officer with another force if the positive drug test [...]
