Criminal Law

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 chemical testing after a qualifying Illinois DUI arrest can trigger a statutory summary suspension of your driving privileges. A first refusal generally results in a 12-month suspension, while certain later refusals may result in longer suspension periods. The license suspension is separate from the DUI criminal case, and drivers may have the

An arrest in Springfield or Sangamon County creates immediate pressure. You may feel embarrassed, angry, scared, or confused. You may want to explain what happened. You may want to contact the other person involved. You may want to ask friends what to do. You may want to ignore the paperwork because everything feels overwhelming. Do

How the SAFE-T Act Changed Pretrial Release in Illinois Illinois no longer uses cash bail to decide who gets released before trial. A person is not supposed to stay in jail only because they cannot afford to pay money. Instead, courts focus on risk. Judges decide whether a defendant should be released, released with conditions,

Quick Answer If you miss a court date in Illinois, the judge may issue a warrant, revoke or change your release conditions, continue the case, or require you to appear quickly to explain what happened. The result depends on the charge, the type of hearing missed, your court history, whether you acted quickly, and whether

Quick Answer A Sangamon County criminal case may begin with an arrest, citation, complaint, warrant, or formal charge. Depending on the case, the next stages may include a first appearance, pretrial release proceedings, arraignment, felony charging procedures, discovery, motions, plea negotiations, trial, and sentencing. The exact sequence depends on the charge, custody status, and how

Your first meeting with a criminal defense attorney is an opportunity to understand the charge, upcoming court dates, release conditions, possible consequences, and the work that should begin immediately. You do not need to obtain every police report or build your own defense before the consultation. Bring the documents and evidence already available to you,

A criminal arrest can create additional concerns when your income depends on a Commercial Driver’s License. The criminal case, Illinois driving record, federal CDL rules, employer policies, and insurance requirements may all need to be reviewed separately. An arrest alone does not always cause CDL disqualification. The greater risk usually depends on the alleged offense,

An arrest can feel confusing and overwhelming, especially if you have never been through the criminal justice system before. In Sangamon County, Illinois, the process that follows an arrest is structured and moves quickly. Understanding what typically happens next can help reduce uncertainty and prevent mistakes that might affect your case. Knowing the steps in

Quick Answer Domestic battery in Illinois is generally a Class A misdemeanor, but qualifying prior convictions can increase the offense to a felony. Aggravated domestic battery is a separate Class 2 felony involving circumstances such as great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement, or strangulation. A case may also involve no-contact conditions, an order of