Criminal Law

Quick Answer If police find brass knuckles in your car in Illinois, you may face an unlawful use of weapons charge. Illinois law prohibits knowingly possessing or carrying metal knuckles or other knuckle weapons. A basic charge often starts as a Class A misdemeanor, but the case may become more serious if you have a […]

Quick Answer If police find a Taser or stun gun during an Illinois traffic stop, the outcome depends on whether you legally possessed it, whether you had a valid FOID card, where it was located, and whether it was being transported lawfully. Illinois law treats stun guns and Tasers like regulated weapons. A person generally

Quick Answer What are the penalties for felony charges in Springfield, IL? Felony charges in Springfield, IL carry serious penalties, including possible prison time, fines, probation limits, firearm restrictions, and a permanent criminal record. Illinois felony classes range from Class 4 to Class X, with Class X carrying the highest standard sentencing range below first-degree

Quick Answer What happens at your first court date for misdemeanor charges in Illinois? If you are facing misdemeanor charges in Illinois, your first court date is where the judge reviews the charge, confirms your rights, and sets the next step in the case. A misdemeanor is less serious than a felony, but it still

An unknown warrant can turn a normal day into a serious legal problem. You may find out during a traffic stop, at work, at home, or while trying to renew your driver’s license. The worst part is that many people do not realize a warrant exists until law enforcement is already involved. A warrant does

A lot of people drive on a suspended or revoked license because they have no other way to get to work, to their kids, or to a court date. That reasoning is understandable. The law does not care. In Illinois, driving while your license is suspended or revoked is a criminal offense, not a traffic

Probation is not the end of a criminal case. It is a second chance with conditions attached, and when those conditions are broken, the court moves fast. A probation violation petition can be filed the same day you are arrested for a new offense, the same day a drug test comes back positive, or the

Most people charged with a first DUI in Illinois are looking at a Class A misdemeanor, serious, but survivable with the right defense. Then there are the cases where one factor changes everything. A child in the car. A prior conviction. An accident that hurt someone. In those situations, the state upgrades the charge to

Quick Answer Yes, you can refuse a breathalyzer in Illinois, but refusal can trigger a driver’s license suspension under Illinois’ Implied Consent Law, 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1. A first refusal can lead to a 12-month statutory summary suspension. A later refusal can lead to a longer suspension. Refusal does not automatically dismiss a DUI case. If

Quick Answer If you were arrested in Springfield, IL, focus on protecting yourself in the first 24 hours. Stay silent, read your release paperwork, avoid contacting anyone involved in the case, save evidence, confirm your court date, and speak with a criminal defense attorney before making statements or decisions. An arrest in Springfield or Sangamon