You know you’re in a realm of challenge and uncertainty when you’re pulled over in your car by an Illinois state trooper or police officer and directed to blow into a breathalyzer device.
Why do the juvenile, adult justice systems differ?
We imagine at the established Illinois criminal defense firm of Sullivan Law in Fairview Heights that most readers of our blog view the answer to today’s above headline query obvious.
Refusing to take a field sobriety test
If Illinois and Chicagoland police stop you on suspicion of driving under the influence, refusing to submit to a breathalyzer or field sobriety tests will initiate serious consequences, and often these are worse than being found of guilty of driving under the influence.
Three important issues surrounding controlled substances
When a lawyer looks to defend a client accused of possession of a controlled substance, there are three main issues that come to the fore: type of drug, who had possession and how it was obtained by law enforcement.
Are you eligible for an expungement or having your record sealed?
A criminal record can seriously impact your life. It hurts your prospects when applying for a job, housing or trying to get financial aid. Even if you were not convicted of a crime, a criminal charge generally shows up on a background check.
Do you have to answer police questions?
You see the lights in your rearview mirror, hear the sirens and your heart races. Having a police officer is a stressful experience whether you’ve done something wrong or not. Knowing how to handle yourself can help make a traffic stop more tolerable while not incriminating yourself.
Preparing your domestic violence defense in Illinois
Men often feel like they have little chance to defend themselves in a domestic violence case. They are often stereotyped as being the culprits in a familial or couple dispute that turns into a physical attack. In reality, men are victims of domestic violence and physical assaults almost as much as women.
What Is “No Refusal” DUI Enforcement?
As you might already know, drivers in Illinois have sometimes refused Breathalyzer tests during DUI stops. Law enforcement has begun responding to these refusals with what they call “No Refusal” DUI Enforcement.
Drug offenses: challenging charges, minimizing consequences
The complex, sometimes subjective realm of domestic violence
Some alleged criminal activity features facts that reasonably seem to be straightforward and sometimes even certain. We will leave readers to their own imaginations in contemplating such scenarios.
What are your rights during an Illinois traffic stop?
No driver likes to see red flashing lights in the rearview mirror. But for those who have illegal drugs in the vehicle or are driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they are most likely thinking about what might happen now that police have pulled them over. What are their rights during a traffic stop?
Advocacy, not judgment: the role of a proven legal defense team
Any individual charged with criminal wrongdoing in the East St. Louis area of Illinois or elsewhere in the state faces obvious and stark challenges. Criminal law authorities pursue alleged wrongdoers with vigor and an abundance of resources
Does innocence supersede your guilt?
You’re probably familiar with your presumption of innocence until you are proven guilty. And if anyone ever accused you of committing a crime, you know a judge or jury requires enough evidence to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt during a trial. That way, they can hold you accountable for your offenses.
Protect your legal rights if you’re stopped for DUI
The sight of police lights in your rearview mirror is enough to scare you straight. Furthermore, if you soon find that the officer is coming after you, your hands may begin to sweat and your stomach could tie-up in knots.
