Important new bill in legislature would expunge felonies

March 26, 2012
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In the current legislative session, Illinois lawmakers are considering a very important new statute to be added to the criminal code. Senate Bill 3349, proposed by Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago), would create a special type of probation for felonies that can be expunged. If signed by the governor, a defendant with a pending felony would [...]

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New interview with Associated Press on Illinois House Bill

March 13, 2012
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The Associated Press interviewed me for a story on March 10, 2012 about a bill proposed in Springfield that would make a significant change to the Illinois Vehicle Code. Read the article. The story teaches a lesson about Illinois criminal law. House Bill 5099, sponsored by Representative Jerry Costello, D-Smithton, would amend two sections of [...]

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An explanation of Illinois sex crimes

March 5, 2012
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The accusation of sexual misconduct can be devastating for a defendant. First, the person is tried in the court of public opinion, and almost always found guilty when his or her mug shot appears in the news. Second, regardless of any sentence imposed in a criminal case, the defendant will be required to register as [...]

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Possession of a fraudulent identification card: a serious offense

February 17, 2012
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Many people would be surprised to know that possessing a fake ID in the state of Illinois can result in felony charges. While it has been a right of passage for young people to use fake IDs to buy alcohol and get admitted to over-21 establishments, the law in Illinois punishes this practice severely. The [...]

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New seat belt law in Illinois could increase profiling in traffic stops

February 9, 2012
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Illinois lawmakers made a significant change to the vehicle code that is effective in 2012. Starting January 1, 2012, anyone who drives or rides in a motor vehicle in the state of Illinois will be required to wear a seat belt. This was not always the law. Prior to 2012, a backseat passenger in Illinois [...]

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Offenses that mandate sex offender registration in Illinois

January 22, 2012
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Illinois law provides that any person who is found guilty of a sex offense must register as a sex offender pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act. See 730 ILCS 150/1. A person who is required to register will have his identity made part of the public registry managed by the Illinois State Police. The [...]

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Illinois law changes definition of forgery in 2012

January 16, 2012
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State lawmakers made several changes to the Criminal Code in 2012. New crimes have been established and penalties for old crimes have been increased. One of the most important changes in Illinois law concerns forgery. This offense is a Class 3 felony which is punishable by 2-5 years in prison. The maximum fine for such [...]

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Purpose of police reading a suspect his rights

December 23, 2011
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Everyone has seen it on TV. When a person gets arrested, the police read him his rights. Only a rule this simple could cause so much confusion among people who have been arrested. The rights everyone is referring to are those provided by the Supreme Court in the Miranda decision. Miranda was a defendant in [...]

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Summary of sentencing rules for misdemeanor offenders

December 5, 2011
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The potential penalties for a Class A misdemeanor offense include up to one year in the county jail and a maximum fine of $2500. Technically, a sentence of incarceration can last for only 364 days. A jail sentence of 365 days or more is only permissible for a felony offense. Additionally, any sentence lasting one [...]

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Illinois public indecency laws explained

November 8, 2011
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The law in the state of Illinois says that is a criminal offense to expose oneself in public. The crime is called public indecency. The penalties for this offense can include up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $2500. But most importantly, the crime of public indecency is classified as a [...]

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