mandatory conviction

Illinois felonies result in conviction despite fact that offender has no criminal background

April 21, 2022
Thumbnail image for Illinois felonies result in conviction despite fact that offender has no criminal background

NOTE: This article was updated to reflect 2019 changes to Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-593. This change became effective on December 4, 2019, updating various statutes addressing marijuana and related offenses. A person with no experience in the criminal justice system will see that the courts make a distinction between felony and […]

Read the full article

New Illinois law makes speeding 26 mph over the limit a crime

November 19, 2021
Thumbnail image for New Illinois law makes speeding 26 mph over the limit a crime

NOTE: The materials below were refreshed to outline how Public Act 100-1004 adjusted Illinois law. After this act became effective on January 1, 2019, it can be a Class A misdemeanor to drive on license suspended for speeding 26mph over the limit. Section 11-601.5(a) of the Vehicle Code Illinois drivers are finding out that state […]

Read the full article

I got pulled over going 40 MPH over the speed limit. Is this ticket serious?

November 3, 2021
Thumbnail image for I got pulled over going 40 MPH over the speed limit. Is this ticket serious?

NOTE: This article includes updated material to explain the impact of Public Act 98-511 (effective January 1, 2014) and Public Act 101-0027 (effective January 1, 2020). Since these Acts became effective, there have been numerous changes to the Illinois Traffic Code, including the offenses of aggravated speeding and DUI. 625 ILCS 5/11-601.5 Driving 40 miles […]

Read the full article

What are the penalties for a second DUI offense in Illinois?

August 23, 2021
Thumbnail image for What are the penalties for a second DUI offense in Illinois?

A second offense for DUI in Illinois results in serious penalties including driver’s license revocation, jail for transportation a minor child, and felony charges for certain conditions.

Read the full article

What is criminal sexual abuse in Illinois?

June 28, 2021
Thumbnail image for What is criminal sexual abuse in Illinois?

NOTE: The following content includes new information to account for changes to Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-0130. Since January 1, 2020, this Act removed the statute of limitations for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Sex between two consenting persons who are under 17 years of […]

Read the full article

What will the sentence be for an Illinois DUI that is reduced to reckless driving?

May 11, 2020
Thumbnail image for What will the sentence be for an Illinois DUI that is reduced to reckless driving?

NOTE: The following content was refreshed to demonstrate 2020 changes to Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-027. On the first day of the year, this Act officially legalized the use and possession of marijuana for recreational use and updated intoxication standards accordingly. Defendants who are charged with driving under the influence (DUI) under […]

Read the full article

What is domestic battery under Illinois law?

January 17, 2020
Thumbnail image for What is domestic battery under Illinois law?

Illinois law says that domestic battery is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.

Read the full article

What is Criminal Drug Trafficking in Illinois?

January 15, 2018
Thumbnail image for What is Criminal Drug Trafficking in Illinois?

Criminal drug trafficking in Illinois is a serious offense. There are a few types of criminal drug trafficking. 720 ILCS 550/5.1 outlines Cannabis Trafficking pursuant to the Cannabis Control Act while 720 ILCS 570/401.1 focuses on criminal drug trafficking pursuant to the Controlled Substances Act. Drug trafficking also applies to possession of a controlled substance […]

Read the full article

New laws in Illinois increase penalties for speeding tickets

July 3, 2010
Thumbnail image for New laws in Illinois increase penalties for speeding tickets

The laws against speeding in Illinois got tougher on July 2, 2010 when Governor Pat Quinn signed a new law aimed at persons driving 100 mph or faster. The law has two important parts: Speeding 31 mph over the Limit is a Class B Misdemeanor Speeding 31 mph in excess of the limit is no […]

Read the full article

What does it mean to resist arrest or obstruct a peace officer?

February 5, 2010
Thumbnail image for What does it mean to resist arrest or obstruct a peace officer?

Under Illinois law, a person who is arrested by a police officer but does not cooperate runs the risk of getting charged with resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

Read the full article