Posted on October 16,2019 in DUI

Some people believe that a first-time DUI conviction will not come with significant legal ramifications. This notion could not be further from the truth. While it is true that DUI charges will increase in severity for repeat offenders, a first-time DUI offender can face life-changing implications in the event of a conviction. Below we will examine some of the possible ramifications of a DUI conviction and how you need to react to a charge. If you are facing DUI charges, contact a skilled criminal defense attorney immediately.

The Consequences

The first thing you need to understand is that a first-time DUI conviction constitutes a Class A Misdemeanor in the state of Illinois. Along with potential fines, drug and alcohol classes, community service, and even potential jail time, a conviction comes with a one-year license revocation period. It should be noted that in the state of Illinois, 91% of all drivers arrested for DUI in 2017 lost their driving privileges for some period of time. Outside of the concrete legal consequences, a DUI conviction can result in serious rises in your insurance rates. It is important to understand that there are a number of circumstances that can lead to an elevation of the charge from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Class 4 Felony.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 28,2019 in Juvenile

Raising a child is never easy, raising a teenager can come with even more unforeseen challenges. Parents of teens constantly worry about their child drinking underage, for good reason too. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, teens aged 12 to 20 consume approximately 11% of the nation’s alcohol. While the vast majority of underage drinking concerns revolve around the health implications of alcohol consumption, the legal ramifications of an underage drinking charge can drastically change your child’s life.

Underage Drinking Charges in Illinois

In the state of Illinois, underage drinking comes with significant criminal punishments. According to state law, consumption or purchase of alcohol by a minor constitutes a Class A Misdemeanor. A Class A Misdemeanor can lead to up to one year in jail-time and fines as high as $2,500. Your child could also face a six-month license suspension, even if the minor was not operating a vehicle. Outside of the initial legal consequences, a conviction of this magnitude can impact your child’s options of advanced education opportunities.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 19,2019 in Traffic Violations

When a person earns a commercial driver’s license (CDL), they are granted the privilege to operate large commercial vehicles on a consistent basis. Commercial driver’s licenses are not handed out without a strict regulatory process, considering the increased likelihood of potential collisions. That being said, it should come as no surprise that losing a CDL can be much easier than most people would like to assume. Below we will examine some of the most common CDL violations and how you should react if you believe you may be in danger of losing your CDL.

Common CDL Violations

When a person is cited for violating the regulations of their CDL, the coming weeks can be quite frightening. For commercial truck drivers, a CDL is critical to a healthy financial future. If you have been cited for violating your CDL privileges, it is time to seek out the assistance of a skilled legal professional.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 27,2019 in DUI

Throughout the state of Illinois, upwards of 25,000 people are charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, on an annual basis. Despite the large number of DUI arrests made each year, a DUI charge is not something to be taken lightly. A first-time DUI offender can face a number of serious consequences, most notably fines and possible loss of driving privileges. Once a person has been convicted of one DUI though, the stakes are raised significantly. Having multiple DUI convictions on one’s personal record, can seriously alter a person’s life, and significantly impact their livelihood. Below, we will examine the impacts of multiple DUI convictions, and how to react if you are facing inebriated driving charges.

The Consequences of Multiple Convictions

Given the inherent dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol (more than 300 people were fatally injured in crashes involving drunk drivers in Illinois, throughout 2017), it should come as no surprise that the charges rise significantly in severity if a person is convicted multiple times. According to Illinois state law, a first-time DUI offense will result in a Class A misdemeanor and a one-year license revocation period.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 18,2019 in Criminal Defense

If you have been arrested for a serious crime, it is important to understand the way in which a conviction could ultimately impact your life. Not only do most convictions come with significant fines, potential loss of driving privileges, and even possible jail-time, but the longer-term ramifications of a conviction should not be understated. Having even a misdemeanor charge on your criminal record can drastically alter your ability to find employment, get loan approval, and secure housing opportunities. If you and your family are suffering due to the lingering ramifications of a criminal conviction, it is time to speak with a skilled attorney regarding the possibility of obtaining expungement or having your criminal records sealed.

What Is Expungement?

Due to the fact that criminal records are public knowledge, a prior arrest can hamper the well-being of yourself and your family. A college admissions board, a potential landlord, or a loan expert could all gain access to your criminal record and let your prior court proceedings impact their decision-making process. Because of this, many people seek to have charges erased from their criminal record or sealed from public view, this process is known as expungement.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 26,2019 in Traffic Violations

Here in the state of Illinois, thousands of people are pulled over each month for driving over the legal speed limit. Due to the fact that speeding is one of the most dangerous acts a driver can take (speeding killed over 9,000 Americans throughout 2017 alone), Illinois police are constantly on the lookout for speeding drivers. While most people assume that minor speeding tickets will come with minimal finage and little impact on their life, in all reality speeding violations should be taken incredibly seriously. If you are charged with driving over the legal speed limit, it may be time to seek out the expertise of a qualified attorney.

The Illinois Point System

According to Illinois state law, minor traffic violations result in points against your driving record. If a person accumulates a certain number of points within a 12-month period, they are likely to face license revocation. Speeding is one of the most common traffic violations resulting in points against one’s driving record. If a person is charged with speeding less than 10 mph over the speed limit, they will receive five points against their driving record. If a person is driving more than 10 mph over the legal limit, they will receive 15 points against them. In Illinois, accumulation of 15 points results in a two-month license suspension.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 12,2019 in Traffic Violations

When a person makes the decision to drive recklessly, they are making the decision to endanger other travelers as well as themselves. Recognizing this, the state of Illinois punishes reckless driving incredibly harshly. Reckless driving is defined in 625 ILCS 5/11-503, as negligent vehicular operation that willfully disregards the safety of others. According to Illinois state law, reckless driving usually results in a Class A Misdemeanor. Due to the severity of the legal consequences of a reckless driving charge, it is critically important to seek out quality legal representation immediately.

Common Forms of Reckless Driving

In addition to a misdemeanor charge on a person’s permanent record, a reckless driving charge can also result in rises in a person’s insurance rates. In some instances, reckless driving will result in a license revocation or suspension.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 27,2019 in DUI

When a person is pulled over by a police officer, it can be difficult to maintain a level head. Because of this, many people lose their ability to contemplate their decision-making process. In all reality, it is of the utmost importance to remain calm and understand your rights and privileges, especially as it pertains to a DUI traffic stop. Many people make the mistake of feeling as though failure to adhere to every single request of the officer represents insubordination that could impact them in court. Yet, it is important for you to understand your rights and how declining to answer a question or take part in chemical testing could impact you. If you are charged with driving under the influence, speak with a qualified legal professional immediately.

Refusing Chemical Testing

If a person is convicted of a DUI, their life can be changed dramatically. Even a first-time DUI offender is likely to face Class A misdemeanor charges, minimum fines of up to $500, and loss of driving privileges for one year. The legal consequences of additional DUIs are even more significant. Understanding the legal severity of DUIs, it is important to understand how refusing chemical testing can impact you.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 13,2019 in Traffic Violations

Every single year, thousands of Americans suffer serious injuries in collisions involving commercial trucks. Given the sheer size of most commercial trucks, these collisions often times result in fatalities. Because of this, commercial truck drivers are held to strict regulatory standards. Violation of these standards can result in loss of your commercial driver’s license. In some instances though, the violation that the truck driver was cited for was not the fault of the driver. Below we will examine some of the most common instances in which commercial trucking companies violate these standards. If you are cited for a CDL violation, seek out legal representation immediately.

Common Company Caused Violations

While some CDL violations are directly related to driver error, such as a DUI or reckless driving charge, many other violations are the direct fault of the trucking company. If a driver is cited for violating a driver out-of-service order regarding the transportation of hazardous materials, it is possible that they were not educated on the order by their company. If a driver is cited for driving an overweight truck, it is likely that the company overloaded the vehicle to minimize delivery time, putting their bottom line ahead of the safety and wellbeing of the driver.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 28,2019 in Traffic Violations

Driving is a way of life. The average American drives approximately 37 miles per day. Loss of your driving privileges can significantly impact your quality of life and your livelihood. Here in the state of Illinois, there are a number of traffic violations that can result in license suspension or revocation. Below, we will examine some of the most common violations that could cost you your license. In the event of a traffic violation, it is critically important to seek out the assistance of a qualified legal professional.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol: Here in the state of Illinois, local law enforcement are constantly on the lookout for signs of inebriated driving. Throughout 2017 alone, more than 27,000 people were arrested statewide for intoxicated driving. Due to the inherent dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a conviction can result in loss of driving privileges. A first DUI conviction will result in a one-year license revocation. Subsequent convictions come with lengthier revocation periods. If you have been charged with a DUI, you need to speak with a legal representative.

Continue Reading ››