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 »
Posts By: JohnPaul
Back to ArticlesCollateral 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 »
New Illinois Cannabis Law Effective July 29, 2016
Effective July 29, 2016, New Illinois Cannabis Possession Law Effective July 29, 2016, Illinois has amended its Cannabis Law, reducing the simple possession of small amounts of cannabis one classification. 720 ILCS 550/4 now classifies possession of cannabis up to 10 grams as a civil law violation punishable by a minimum fine of $100.00… Read more »
Senate Bill 2228 Signed into Law by Governor Rauner Amends Illinois DUI Law as of July 29, 2016
Effective July 29, 2016, New Illinois DUI Law Effective July 29, 2016, Illinois has amended its DUI law to allow for the presence of small amounts of marijuana in a person’s system. Under subsection (a)(6) of 625 ILCS 5/11-501 of the previous law, a person could not be in actual physical control of a vehicle in… Read more »