Springfield Criminal Defense Blog

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…

No-knock warrants are part of a controversial practice that allows law enforcement to enter a property without knocking or announcing themselves first. They are used most commonly in cases involving drugs, weapons or other evidence that could be easily destroyed or pose a danger to the officers. However, they also raise concerns about the violation…

When a person is arrested for any reason in Illinois, it is natural for them to think about the potential consequences they might face if they are convicted. Depending on the charges, that can include incarceration, fines and other penalties. What they might not consider is the negative impact a criminal record might have as…

Illinois has strict regulations on the possession, sale and use of firearms and other weapons, and violating them can result in serious consequences. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common weapons-related charges. Unlawful use of weapons This offense covers a wide range of prohibited conduct involving weapons, such as carrying…

The term, “target letter” is having a moment, even though, outside of criminal defense and prosecutor circles, most people had never heard of it. However, for those facing potential federal drug crimes, this may give you hope that you will get a heads up prior to being indicted. Unfortunately, that may not be true in…

Specific measures are taken to secure and protect personal property. Whether it is in a wallet, purse, pocket, vehicle or home, individuals in Illinois and elsewhere believe that their property is safe. Thus, when property is taken or has gone missing, many presume that it was stolen. As a result, a person could face allegations…

Possessing a stolen firearm is a serious criminal charge that comes with major potential penalties. The crime of possession of a stolen firearm in Illinois is a class 2 felony. If you are convicted of this charge, you could face between three and seven years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. While…

Generally speaking, you cannot be deported simply for being charged with a criminal offense. This makes sense. Lawful permanent residents and other non-citizens who live in the Springfield area have the same rights as anyone else accused of a crime in Illinois’ courts. They are innocent until proven guilty. However, certain types of criminal convictions…