Criminal Law

Quick Answer Police cannot automatically search your car during an Illinois traffic stop. A search usually requires consent, probable cause, evidence in plain view, a lawful arrest-related reason, an inventory search, or another recognized legal exception. If police searched your vehicle without proper justification, the evidence may be challenged. Was Your Vehicle Searched During a

Quick Answer If police find brass knuckles in your car in Illinois, the case may depend on whether prosecutors can prove you knowingly possessed or controlled the weapon. The legality of the traffic stop and vehicle search, where the item was found, and who had access to the vehicle may affect the outcome. Are Brass

Quick Answer If police find a Taser or stun gun during an Illinois traffic stop, the outcome depends on factors such as FOID status, where the device was located, who had access to it, whether the person knew it was present, and whether police legally searched the vehicle. Finding a weapon does not automatically prove

Quick Answer What are the felony sentencing ranges in Illinois? Illinois generally classifies felonies as Class 4, Class 3, Class 2, Class 1, and Class X, with first-degree murder treated separately. The ordinary prison ranges are 1–3 years for Class 4, 2–5 years for Class 3, 3–7 years for Class 2, 4–15 years for Class

Quick Answer What happens at your first misdemeanor court date in Illinois? At a first Illinois misdemeanor court appearance, the judge may identify the charge, address your right to counsel, review any existing pretrial release conditions, and schedule the next stage of the case. Many misdemeanor cases are not resolved at the first hearing because

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

People sometimes drive while suspended or revoked because they need to reach work, care for children, attend court, or handle an emergency. Illinois law does not automatically excuse the offense for those reasons, but the circumstances may still matter when the case and possible resolution are evaluated. A suspended or revoked license charge is a

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

Quick Answer Aggravated DUI is a felony DUI charge in Illinois. A DUI may become aggravated because of prior DUI history, serious injury or death, certain license or insurance issues, specific child-passenger circumstances, driving a school bus with passengers, or other factors listed in Illinois law. The felony class and possible sentence depend on the

Quick Answer Refusing a breathalyzer or chemical test after a qualifying Illinois DUI arrest can trigger a statutory summary suspension of your driver’s license. A first refusal generally results in a longer suspension than a failed test, but the suspension is separate from the DUI criminal case and may be challenged depending on the circumstances