Criminal Law

In Illinois, you can sometimes be charged for a crime even if you were not the person who physically committed the act. This is called accountability. It means the State may try to hold one person legally responsible for another person’s conduct when they believe both people were working together, helping each other, or sharing […]

Battery charges in Illinois can range from a misdemeanor to a serious felony. The difference depends on the facts of the case, the level of harm, the identity of the alleged victim, whether a weapon was used, and where the incident happened. A simple battery charge may involve unwanted physical contact, an argument that became

Criminal trespass in Illinois can sound minor at first, but it is still a criminal charge. A person may be accused of trespass after entering private property, refusing to leave when asked, returning after being banned, entering a restricted area, or going onto property without lawful authority. Trespass charges can happen at homes, stores, apartment

A traffic ticket in Illinois can be annoying, expensive, and stressful. But reckless driving is different. Reckless driving is not just a basic ticket. It is a criminal charge. Many drivers are surprised when a police officer says they are being charged with reckless driving instead of ordinary speeding or another moving violation. The difference

A traffic stop in Illinois can become more serious if police find a knife in your vehicle, pocket, backpack, glove box, center console, work bag, or under a seat. Many people carry knives for work, utility tasks, fishing, camping, moving boxes, or everyday use. But during a traffic stop, police may treat a knife as

Carrying something for protection does not automatically make it legal in Illinois. A person may think they are being careful by carrying a firearm, taser, knife, pepper spray, baton, or another self-defense weapon, but Illinois law may treat the item differently depending on what it is, where it is carried, how it is transported, and

A DUI arrest in Illinois can affect your license before your criminal case is over. Many drivers think they only lose their license if they are convicted, but that is not always true. Illinois has administrative suspensions that can begin after a DUI arrest, even while the court case is still pending. That means you

A resisting or obstructing charge in Illinois can happen fast. A traffic stop, DUI investigation, theft call, drug possession arrest, domestic disturbance, warrant check, or street encounter can quickly turn into a separate criminal charge if police believe someone interfered with an officer’s duties. Many people are surprised by this charge because it does not

An order of protection is not just a warning or a personal boundary request. In Illinois, it is a court order. If the order says you cannot contact someone, go near a location, possess firearms, or take certain actions, violating those terms can lead to arrest and a new criminal charge. Many people get into

A traffic stop in Illinois can end in more than a warning or a basic ticket. In some cases, the officer issues a citation and lets the driver leave. In other cases, the stop can lead to arrest, custody, booking, court appearances, license problems, fines, or jail exposure. Many people are surprised when a traffic