A common charge in the state of Illinois is Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Often, this charge will be related to firearms, but the law includes other weapons as well, such as knives, explosives, tasers, or even broken bottles. Firearms To own a gun in Illinois, residents...
Gun owners in Illinois are required to maintain a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card. This license enables individuals in the state to legally possess firearms and ammunition. Residents looking to carry their handguns concealed on their person must...
Halloween is a good time to review Criminal Damage to Property charges in Illinois. This holiday encourages harmless pranks and antics, but sometimes young people can get carried away, make mistakes, and need the assistance of a defense attorney to protect them from...
There are a variety of burglary charges that defendants may encounter depending on the circumstances of their arrest. Let’s review a few of the most common types of burglary charges that individuals face in Illinois and how a criminal defense attorney can help you...
There are a variety of factors that determine the type and severity of weapon charges a defendant may face in Illinois. Illinois has strict gun laws, but weapon charges are not limited to guns. According to 720 ILCS 5/24-1, weapons in Illinois include “any bludgeon,...
Charges for criminal trespass in Illinois range from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony depending on the subsection that is violated. Criminal trespass subsections in Illinois law include: Criminal Trespass to Vehicles (720 ILCS 5/21-2) Criminal Trespass to...
Many of my clients ask me, “What is supervision?” In Illinois, if you are charged with a misdemeanor criminal offense you are most likely eligible for “Court Supervision” even if you are found guilty after a trial by a judge or jury. If you plead guilty or are found...
In many instances, you are able to request that your criminal records are expunged or sealed after a period of time after the offense occurred. There are differences between expunging and sealing. Expunging vs. Sealing Expungement occurs when your records of arrests...
According to DNA Info, the places you are most likely to get a ticket for public urination are “typically close to a train station, a boozy stretch of nightclubs or both.” Areas like Division and Clark and Wicker Park come to mind. These neighborhoods have a lot of...
Under Illinois law, an individual commits “assault” when, “without lawful authority, he or she knowingly engages in conduct which places another in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery.” That means that assault is committed when physical contact is made, but...