On March 18, 2020, the Chief Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, H. Chris Ryan, Jr., published the following procedures for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit consists of LaSalle, Bureau, and Grundy Counties. In general, beginning March 18, 2020 through April 30, 2020, unless otherwise ordered by the court, all non-emergency… Read more »
Posts By: JohnPaul
Back to ArticlesWill County Circuit Court’s COVID-19 Response
On March 17, 2019 the Chief Judge Richard Schoenstedt entered the following order in response to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This order provides for the general continuance of non-essential cases. Effectively, most existing cases are being continued to dates after June 1, 2020. To my clients, please do not hesitate to call should you have… Read more »
Illegal Police Searches in Joliet: Cellphones and Your Rights
Under the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution, law enforcement is not allowed to conduct unreasonable searches and seizures with respect to suspected criminals. If law enforcement DOES conduct an illegal search, then the evidence obtained is inadmissible – it cannot be used by the prosecution. To make the search legal, the police must… Read more »
Collateral Consequences of Criminal Charges: Ezekiel Elliott
Effective January 1, 2017, Illinois requires judges to provide expanded admonishments with respect to guilty pleas. Admonishments are warnings of certain consequences read by the judge to a defendant prior to the judge accepting a plea bargain. The new admonishments includes a warning that in addition to any penalties imposed by the court, there may… Read more »
Where it All Begins: The Start of a Criminal Case
It is a common scene. A distraught person calls an attorney because his or her loved one is in trouble and needs a lawyer. The conversation may start with getting some preliminary information like names, addresses, and phone numbers. Next, the attorney may begin asking questions about the charges. Was there an arrest? When was… Read more »
Is Revenge Porn Illegal in Illinois?
Is Revenge Porn Illegal in Illinois? Yes, revenge porn is illegal in Illinois. It is always nice when a lawyer can provide a straight answer. Most legal questions have complex answers that cannot be summed up in a single word. However, so-called “revenge porn” is illegal in Illinois. In fact, 38 states have now created… Read more »
Understanding the Conditions of Bail/Bond in Illinois
When a person is charged with a crime, the court must decide whether that person will sit in jail awaiting trial or be released. This is a difficult balancing act because courts do not want to jail innocent people, but they also do not want victims and witnesses put in danger. Will County has specific… Read more »
Fighting for Justice for Every Client Every Day
Mankind’s Eternal Search for Justice: Hunefer’s Judgment in the Presence of Osiris Among the earliest records of human history, we find evidence of mankind’s desperate search for balance and justice, both in life and in death. For the ancient Egyptians, social order was paramount, and one’s eternal existence in the afterlife depended on living… Read more »
Decoding Dismissals: Do You Really Know What Your Court Order Means?
Decoding Dismissals: Do You Really Know What Your Court Order Means? When it comes to disposing of cases, it seems there is often a push to reach an agreement. Individuals sometimes enter into a final decision in order to ‘resolve their case’ without fully understanding all of the potential ramifications. This can be a good… Read more »
Atticus Finch: Early Lessons in Justice
Atticus Finch: Early Lessons in Justice A common staple in high school English classes, Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, has been the inspiration for many to enter into the field of law. From its rich symbolism to the core lessons of democracy, the story paints a rich and valuable picture of America’s struggle… Read more »