Posted on March 16, 2022 in Traffic violations

Many drivers receive traffic violations at some point during their driving career. Whether a driver rolled through a stop sign, accidentally ran a red light, or was cited for speeding, drivers may have to pay a fine or receive points on their driving record. However, commercial drivers, including truck drivers, are held to higher legal standards than regular drivers on the road. Commercial vehicle operators cited with a traffic violation must report the ticket to the Secretary of State’s office. Failure to report a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) violation to the state can result in severe legal and professional penalties. 

What is a CDL Violation? 

A Commercial Driver’s License, or CDL, is issued to a commercial driver operating special vehicles. These vehicles usually include trucks or trailers carrying heavy, large, or hazardous materials. There are three classes of a CDL depending on the type of materials that the vehicle is transporting:

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 Posted on March 09, 2022 in Traffic violations

Minor traffic violations may seem relatively unimportant in everyday life. An occasional traffic ticket for speeding or running a stop sign is seen as irritating rather than a legitimate legal concern for most drivers. However, traffic violations that accumulate can become a real problem for a driver in the state of Illinois. Points from violating traffic laws add up quickly on your driving record, which can lead to a license suspension or revocation. Below are four common traffic violations you should avoid when driving in Illinois. 

Speeding Violations 

On most roads, the speeding limit will be posted on a sign. Depending on the type of road you are on, speed limits range from 15 miles per hour on a rural alleyway, 30 miles per hour on urban district roads, 55 miles per hour on other roads and highways, and between 65 to 70 miles per hour on highways and interstate roads. If you are pulled over for driving above the posted speed limit, you could be facing fines anywhere from $120 to $2,500. Aggravated speeding violations are more severe and classified as misdemeanors that could result in jail time. Twenty-six miles per hour or higher over the speed limit is classified as aggravated speeding in Illinois.

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 Posted on February 25, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Don’t let the media's portrayal of underage drinking and drug use fool you — it is dangerous and illegal. Although the thought of a wild high school party or a college freshman dorm room includes mental pictures of booze, marijuana or other illicit activity, the state of Illinois has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking, and this is for good reason. The drinking laws in the United States are set in place to ensure that underage minors do not injure themselves, or others, due to alcohol consumption. If an underage minor (under 21)  is caught drinking alcohol, the child, and his or her parents, may face severe penalties. 

Understanding the Zero Tolerance Law 

The state of Illinois enacted the Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking in an effort to keep minor children and adolescents safe from the implications of consuming alcohol at a young age. There are a variety of reasons that the drinking age is set at 21. Underage drinking is prohibited due to:

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 Posted on February 21, 2022 in Criminal Defense

The consequences for speeding can range from a pesky speeding ticket all the way to an arrest. Most drivers understand and respect the need for speed limits–to keep Illinois citizens safe. But how can drivers abide by the legal speed limit if there are no street signs posted? Although some roads post individual speed limits, there are overarching laws that all Illinois drivers should be aware of in case there are no posted limits.

Location Limits

It is the responsibility of drivers to follow driving laws, including the speed limit. When there are no street signs that can indicate how fast you are allowed to drive, the first step is to determine what type of road you are on. 

• Interstate Highway — Illinois interstate highways have a maximum speed limit of 70 miles per hour. You can identify if you are on an interstate highway if the road goes across state lines to connect cities. 

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 Posted on February 15, 2022 in Criminal Defense

A DUI (driving under the influence) charge is a serious crime in Illinois. If you are pulled over and charged with a DUI, the consequences may change depending on your situation. For a first-time offender, a DUI is a class A misdemeanor, and you may be facing up to one year in prison with up to $2,500 in fines and a potential license suspension. However, if you are a recurring DUI offender in Illinois, your driver’s license may be suspended for an extended period of time or revoked completely. 

Legal Blood Alcohol Limit 

In the state of Illinois, a person is considered legally intoxicated when his or her blood alcohol level is 0.08 or higher. If a person is pulled over while driving, a police officer may test a driver’s level of intoxication a few ways:

• Administering a blood alcohol test through a breathalyzer 

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 Posted on February 07, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Prescription drug forgery in the state of Illinois is a felony under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act and can result in significant fines and jail time. Even if prescription drug forgery was your first offense, the ramifications are often severe. In the state of Illinois, those charged can face up to five years in the penitentiary and pay up to $200,000 in fines. If you are being charged with drug forgery, it is important to speak to a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. 

What is Drug Forgery?

Prescription drug forgery can fall under several categories. Typically, this type of drug crime is done through physicians illegally altering an existing prescription or writing a new one that is improper. Drug forgery can also look like:

• A patient using a doctor’s prescription notepad illegally to write a prescription 

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 Posted on January 31, 2022 in Theft

Video games and television make theft of an automobile seem like an inconsequential act. In reality, being accused of stealing a car can change your entire life. Penalties are severe and may include significant jail time. In Illinois, merely being in possession of stolen goods can lead to theft charges. Some people accused of stealing a vehicle thought that they bought the vehicle legally. When they find out that the vehicle was stolen, they are shocked.

If you or a loved one have been charged with motor vehicle theft, contact a criminal defense lawyer right away. Your attorney can start gathering evidence to aid in your defense.

You May Be Facing Felony Charges Punishable By Up To 7 Years’ Incarceration

The consequences of a theft conviction depend on the value of the item that was allegedly stolen. Stealing a candy bar from a store is obviously not considered as serious as stealing a vehicle worth thousands of dollars. In Illinois, theft of a motor vehicle or possession of a stolen motor vehicle is punishable by 3-7 years in prison. Being in possession of a stolen vehicle valued at more than $10,000.00 can lead to felony charges.

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 Posted on January 25, 2022 in DUI

Illinois legalized recreational marijuana in 2020. However, the drug is still regulated by the state. It is also illegal to drive a vehicle while under the influence of cannabis. If you are pulled over by police and they suspect you of “drugged driving” or driving under the influence of marijuana, you can be arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI).

Drugged Driving DUIs

Marijuana affects cognitive abilities, decision-making, and reaction time. Consequently, legislators have made it illegal to operate a car while under the influence of marijuana. You can be charged with DUI for using marijuana in two ways:

• Illinois law makes it illegal to drive under the influence of an intoxicating substance. If police believe you are intoxicated and unable to drive safely, they can arrest you and charge you with DUI.

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 Posted on January 17, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Forgery refers to the falsification of documents. In Illinois, forgery is a crime punishable by significant penalties, including imprisonment. You could be charged with forgery if you allegedly sign someone else’s name on a financial document or use deception to commit theft. If you or a loved one were charged with forgery, you should know that the state of Illinois takes forgery very seriously. You or your loved one could be facing life-altering consequences.

Understanding Forgery Charges

When someone lies or fabricates information or signatures, they can be accused of forgery. Just the act of possessing a forged document can lead to criminal charges. For example, if you need a co-signer on a credit card or loan application and you sign someone else’s name, you could be charged with forgery. Forgery may also involve writing checks on a closed account, using a forged check, or falsifying mortgage documents.

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 Posted on January 10, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Being charged with a crime is a confusing, frightening experience. Many criminal defendants have little to no experience in the criminal justice system. They are unaware of their rights and options. Plea bargains are often especially confusing. Many criminal defendants are unsure of whether they should accept a plea bargain or fight for an acquittal. They do not understand the potential benefits and risks of accepting a plea deal.

If you or a loved one have been charged with theft, drug manufacturing, reckless driving, or another criminal offense, contact a criminal defense lawyer right away. Your attorney can evaluate your specific situation and explain the advantages and disadvantages of accepting a plea deal.

What is a Plea Bargain?

When someone is accused of a crime, there are a few possible outcomes. Sometimes, the prosecution drops the charges, and the case is dismissed. This can happen if there is insufficient evidence against the suspect, procedural errors, or violations of the suspect’s rights. The suspect can plead “not guilty” and the case will likely go to trial. During a trial, the judge and jury find the defendant guilty or not guilty based on the evidence and arguments presented by both sides.

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