Springfield Criminal Defense Blog

If you are convicted of assault in Illinois, you could face years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. Assault is a crime of violence that requires knowingly engaging in conduct that places a person in apprehension of imminent physical harm. An assault in Illinois can be classified as a misdemeanor or felony, depending…

If you have been stopped by an officer in Springfield and given a traffic citation, it was likely based on the officer’s observations of your driving. The officer typically will put their observations into writing as part of the citation, generally claiming that you were driving recklessly or unsafely or violating a traffic law. However,…

When you think of a drug possession charge, you may naturally believe it means someone was found with drugs physically on them. Therefore, you might be surprised and confused if you are arrested for drug possession when you did not physically possess any drugs. Your arrest was likely based on the theory of constructive possession.…

The recreational use of cannabis has been legal in Illinois since January 1, 2020, but that doesn’t mean our state has worked out all the details. Lawmakers, law enforcement and the public are still figuring out how to deal with the issue of drugged driving. According to one recent study, between 2013 and 2021, here…

Being accused of driving under the influence in Illinois can be problematic in many ways regardless of the person’s age. However, the allegations can be more challenging for those who are under 21. With the holiday season approaching and people attending parties, gatherings and events, there will likely be alcohol and other intoxicating substances available.…

If you are stopped by a police officer and are accused of resisting arrest, you could face serious penalties. Resisting arrest usually includes actions that are intended to interfere with a police officer’s attempt to detain or arrest you. Potential penalties The penalties for resisting arrest can vary based on the circumstances, but generally you…

Search warrants are common in drug cases. Some people who end up facing drug crime charges in Illinois are in that position because a search warrant was executed on their home or vehicle, for example. Obviously, any time a person is arrested there are many constitutional rights that come into play. The validity of a…

This month, a new law went into effect in Illinois, and with it comes a major change to the state’s criminal justice system. The Pretrial Fairness Act, which went into effect Sept. 18 ends the practice of cash bail for pretrial release. This means that thousands of people who have been charged with a crime…

Most of our readers in Illinois have probably received a traffic ticket of some kind. Speeding tickets are common, but so are others, like tickets for broken turn signals, taillights or headlights. When people get these tickets, they usually just pay the fine and move on. However, if you get too many traffic tickets your…

If you are charged with a DUI, you probably have many questions about the penalties and how a DUI conviction can impact your future. Illinois takes DUI charges seriously. Potential penalties can include fines, jail time and the mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device. Additionally, a DUI conviction can affect your professional and personal…