People often ask me, "I felt forced by the police to do XYZ. What can the police make me do?" Once you are arrested what you say and do in the presence of the police becomes that much more important to protecting your freedom. Because your freedom is at stake, what you say and do [...]
When a crime is allegedly committed using the internet the first question is always, “Where should this case be handled?” Should it be in the state where the offender committed the offense? Should it be where the victim lives? Should it be somewhere else like in federal court? Illinois has specifically addressed this issue relating [...]
Police will often use a person’s presence in a high-crime area, coupled with unprovoked flight as sufficient to justify an officer’s brief, investigative stop. Illinois courts have decided that this was consistent with previous decisions recognizing a citizen’s right to ignore the police, as it found that unprovoked flight is not simply refusing to [...]
Having a judge issue a defendant a bail that a defendant can afford is part of the criminal judicial process. In many of my cases, the issue of bail and bond is ongoing throughout the case. What a judge setting bail or bond on a defendant does is sets a dollar amount the defendant [...]
My clients come to me and tell me about how they were passengers in a friend’s car that was searched by the police. After some initial questioning of the driver, the police officer leans over to the passenger and asks, “Do you have anything illegal on you?” All of a sudden, as a passenger, you [...]
Just because the police ask to talk with you does not mean you are under arrest. This is an important concept to understand because if you are speaking with the police and make a voluntary statement against your interest, your casual conversation with the police could lead to you being placed under arrest. Understand that [...]
Dogs are a powerful tool for law enforcement to find drugs and explosives. Oftentimes, courts, civilians and police officers take a positive hit from a canine as definitive proof that drugs or explosives exist. Unfortunately, dogs, like any other tool, must be calibrated and understood to be used properly. Because officers interpret any reaction [...]
Often, my clients will tell me that their constitutional rights have been violated by the police. Sometimes this is the case but sometimes individuals do not have a firm understanding of the constitutional provision that protects them from illegal search and seizure. The following are some considerations a citizen should consider to determine whether their constitutional [...]
sexual assault attorney Sex offenses are found in all walks of life and every part of society. Oftentimes, and, tragically, minors are the victims of these offenses. If an individual is facing a sexual assault charge, he or she could be facing a criminal conviction that could lead to several years in jail and life [...]