Springfield Criminal Defense Blog

On top of fines, traffic tickets can have an adverse effect on your life in another form: license points. The state stacks these on driving records as well to determine when to consider suspension or outright revocation for your driving privileges. Many traffic violations carry a certain point value that, according to Illinois Administrative Code’s…

Dealing with the criminal system in the US can be overwhelming, but the first step is understanding legal terminology. Most people have heard about misdemeanors and felonies, but it is important to understand how these are different and what impact they may have on your criminal record. If somebody is accusing you of a violent…

For many people in Illinois, the loss of one’s driving privileges due to a driving under the influence offense may create significant hardships. Without the right to drive, a person may be unable to keep a job, for example. Some DUI defendants may reinstate their driving privileges even during a license suspension period by installing…

Society often speaks of robbery and burglary together, and so they might be two of the most frequently confused criminal offenses by the general public. In fact, they have very little in common beyond the goal of committing a crime. You do not have to steal, or even intend to steal, for your offense in…

Rather than taking illegal substances, your recent drug charges stemmed from a valid medication. Do you understand why this happened? The Recovery Village explains how taking a prescription medication in the wrong place at the wrong time could lead to a misunderstanding with the police. Learn how to build a defense against what may be…

All 50 states have ignition interlock device laws DUI offenders. However, the specifics of interlock device laws between states. In the state of Illinois, both first-time and subsequent offenders must install an ignition interlock device on their cars if they wish to continue driving. According to the office of the Illinois Secretary of State, a…

There are many different types of moving violations that may result in traffic tickets in Illinois. Speeding, reckless driving and illegal lane usage are just a few of the driving behaviors that lead to tickets and driver’s license points. While most people are familiar with the immediate penalties of getting a traffic ticket, such as…

Illinois law requires residents who wish to own weapons to apply for a Firearm Owners Identification card. Law enforcement officials may, however, rescind an individual’s FOID card for a variety of reasons, including domestic violence or mental health issues. As noted by The Chicago Tribune, Illinois does not have a reliable method to determine whether…

What happens when Illinois officers pull residents over on suspicion of DUI? In these cases, they will run tests to see if you are over the legal alcohol limit. One way to check your blood alcohol content (BAC) level is through breath tests. But what are these tests? How accurate are they? Today, we will…

Illinois cracks down hard on anyone accused of driving under the influence. You should know as much as possible about the tools used by law enforcement. Today we will focus on field sobriety tests. Officers often use these tests as a “first line”. Based on results, they may administer other tests like blood or breath…