Springfield Criminal Defense Blog

Police officers often use chemical testing to determine whether a driver has been driving under the influence. Once you get your driver’s license, implied consent laws state that you are now required to submit to field sobriety or chemical testing if you are requested to do so by a police officer. However, you can still…

Not all traffic tickets are created and treated equally. While most Illinois residents may think traffic tickets are only given for speeding, this is not the case. The truth is that traffic tickets can be issued for a variety of reasons that can be broadly categorized under moving violations and strict liability offenses. Moving violations…

Grand juries in Illinois do not always act rapidly. For some crimes, the grand jury’s decision may follow the acts under consideration by several weeks. In a recent case arising from a motorcycle accident that occurred in the town of Channahon on Aug. 12, a Will County grand jury returned an indictment against the driver…

When Illinois drivers are accused of committing a traffic offense, the situation can quickly spiral out of control if they make the mistake of fleeing from law enforcement. What might have been a simple stop due to a broken taillight, a lane violation or some other relatively minor infraction can suddenly escalate to myriad allegations…

It is not uncommon for law enforcement in Illinois and across the nation to have periodic enforcement periods in which they target drivers who might be under the influence. While this strategy is designed to improve safety on the road and catch drivers who are committing DUI, it does not necessarily mean that everyone arrested…

The right to own a firearm is a guarantee in the U.S. Constitution, but if you have a felony charge on your criminal record, you lose that right. According to FindLaw, convicted felons in Illinois cannot own or have in their possession any type of firearm. In addition, you cannot own or possess ammunition for…

First-degree murder constitutes the most serious homicide charge you can face in Illinois. Homicide itself means killing someone deliberately and without authority of law. Illinois Criminal Code Chapter 720, Section 5/9-1, contains the laws applying to first-degree murder. As FindLaw explains, for you to receive a first-degree murder conviction, the prosecutor must prove at least…

Illinois is one of a few states that includes drug use in its DUI laws. The statute itself explains its intention in the title, “Driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds or any combination thereof.” If you are a marijuana user in Illinois, whether medical or recreational,…

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…