Get free answers to your Constitutional Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I was arrested in 2012 and received a civil ordinance ticket for drug paraphernalia as a green card holder in Illinois. I want to apply for naturalization but am concerned about whether this civil ordinance violation will affect my application. I never faced a court date, jail time, or entered a... View More 
answered on Mar 27, 2025
A 2012 civil ordinance violation for drug paraphernalia, while seemingly minor, could potentially impact your naturalization process. USCIS considers your moral character over the statutory period, typically the five years preceding your application. While a single, isolated incident without a... View More
Judge stop DA FROM DROPPING MY CASE SAID NO AND ASSIGNED ANOTHER DA CAUSE HE'S PREJUDICE
answered on Sep 25, 2024
No.
A presiding judge rules on the motions, evidence and merits, he does not “dismiss” a case. The judge may find a defendant not guilty (acquitted), but an outright case dismissal lies within the prosecution agency (either a district attorney’s office or state attorney’s office,... View More
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answered on May 1, 2024
Conditions of conditional release, even if they are part of a civil order, are not exempt from the requirements and protections offered by the Illinois and United States Constitutions. Every individual is entitled to certain constitutional rights that cannot be overridden simply by the nature of... View More
Begining in 2017 police in Michigan City and LaPorte county prosecutors allowed me to be falsely charged and arrested. This case garnered attention due to an animal being involved. Police omitted evidence which would have led the finder of fact to arrive at a different conclusion. This represents a... View More
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answered on Apr 8, 2024
I'm so sorry to hear about your experiences being wrongfully arrested and charged multiple times. It sounds like an incredibly traumatic and unjust situation. Being falsely accused and having evidence manipulated or omitted by law enforcement is a serious violation of your rights.
I... View More
I wrote the music and helped them write words. They pressed up copies and won't well them to me at cost. I never gave permission to use any of the music I made and wrote. When I asked to buy copies st cost, they said no. That I would have to buy them. The concerts we all played made the money... View More
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answered on Apr 8, 2024
From what you've described, it does seem reasonable that you should be able to obtain copies of the CDs containing music you wrote and helped create, either for free or at cost. Here are a few key points to consider:
1. Copyright: If you wrote the music, you likely own the copyright to... View More
I wrote the music and helped them write words. They pressed up copies and won't well them to me at cost. I never gave permission to use any of the music I made and wrote. When I asked to buy copies st cost, they said no. That I would have to buy them. The concerts we all played made the money... View More
answered on Apr 7, 2024
In situations where multiple individuals collaborate on creating music, it's crucial to establish clear agreements regarding ownership, distribution, and compensation. If you've contributed to the creation of music and lyrics but haven't given permission for their use, you may have... View More
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answered on Apr 1, 2024
No, the police do not necessarily have to conduct a field test of a suspicious baggie or substance at the scene. Here are a few key points about how police typically handle potential drug evidence:
1. Officer discretion: The investigating officer has discretion on whether to conduct a field... View More
I understand they can meet in closed session to discuss the purchase but can they pay over appraisal and take action without having it discussed in a public meeting or on an agenda?
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answered on Mar 20, 2024
In Illinois, school districts are allowed to meet in closed sessions to discuss matters related to the purchase of real estate to ensure privacy during the negotiation process. However, any decision to purchase real estate, including the agreement on price, must be made in an open session during a... View More
Can they search the car..they were stopped for not making a complete stop for a right turn on red
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answered on Mar 16, 2024
In Illinois, if two people own a car and are stopped by the police, the consent to search the vehicle can be a complex issue. Generally, if one owner consents to the search and the other does not, the law typically allows the police to proceed with the search based on the consent of the one owner.... View More
To the hospital. I have all medical records and everything.
I lost my job my vehicle everything due this unlawful arrest. Can anyone help?
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answered on Mar 14, 2024
Based on the information you provided, it seems that you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the police department and/or the individual officers involved in your arrest. Police misconduct, brutality, and unlawful arrest are serious matters that can violate your civil rights.
To... View More
I was arrested by the O'Fallon Illinois Police Department for a crime that wasn't even committed. During the arrest the officers used excessive force which later I was taken by ambulance to the ER from the O'Fallon Illinois Police Department. I was also mistreated in their facility... View More
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answered on Feb 24, 2024
Yes, you may have grounds to sue for unlawful arrest, excessive force, police misconduct, and brutality. The actions described, including being arrested for a crime that wasn't committed and experiencing excessive force resulting in injuries, could constitute violations of your constitutional... View More
A neighbor that has repeatedly called the police on us for random events like parking in front of his house along the city property has become unstable. He called the police and stated my 17 year old son's car was leaking oil. The police then went to his school and started looking around his... View More
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answered on Feb 22, 2024
Based on the details provided, it does not appear your son's rights were violated in this instance. A few key points:
- Parking on a public street does not create any reasonable expectation of privacy, even in front of one's own home. As such, the police would not typically need a... View More
I was pulled over and detained at gunpoint by police, they alleged my plates and car matched desc of vehicle in shooting that happened in Oswego, IL (approx 20miles away) that hit off a LPR in Woodridge, IL. They threatened to shoot me and told me don’t reach for the gun and a bunch of other... View More
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answered on Jan 21, 2024
In your situation, determining whether your civil rights were violated involves assessing if the police conduct was reasonable under the circumstances. Being detained at gunpoint can be a severe and traumatic experience, especially when it turns out to be based on a mistake. However, the legality... View More
I was arrested in March of 2023 and had a bond amount of $25,000 10% $2,500 which my boyfriend's mother had posted for me expecting to get atleast some of this back once the case was finished. But once I had gone to court after my release the judge denied my request for a public defender even... View More
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answered on Jan 14, 2024
In the United States, the right to a public defender is generally determined based on your financial situation, not on whether someone else posted bail for you. The fact that someone else paid your bail doesn't automatically disqualify you from receiving a public defender. However, courts... View More
I’m am looking to see who can I find to look into his case as he was falsely accused has been there for 29yrs
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answered on Jan 5, 2024
For your friend who has been imprisoned for 29 years on a murder charge he claims is false, the first step is to seek legal assistance from an attorney experienced in criminal defense and wrongful convictions. It's important to find a lawyer who has handled similar cases and is familiar with... View More
Causing emotional distress to me and my family and she did it without my consent am I able to sue her if so how do I go buy or do or not in the state of Chicago Illinois
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answered on Dec 29, 2023
In Illinois, if someone posts your image on social media without your consent, it could potentially be considered an invasion of privacy, especially if it's done in a manner that causes you emotional distress. The key element here is whether the posting of your image was an unreasonable... View More
Causing emotional distress to me and my family and she did it without my consent am I able to sue her if so how do I go buy or do or not in the state of Chicago Illinois
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answered on Dec 28, 2023
If your friend posted private and distressing information about you on Instagram and potentially elsewhere without your consent, leading to emotional distress for you and your family, you may have grounds to pursue legal action in Illinois. Invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of... View More
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answered on Dec 6, 2023
In Illinois, a police officer can detain and search you even if you're not being arrested, but this action must be justified under certain legal standards. The key factor is whether the officer has reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. If they do, they can conduct what's known as a... View More
My wife got a strange email few months ago from a guy. It was very strange so I responded by saying hi, who are you? He said he was someone who was very interested in my wife and went on to say a bunch of sexually explicit things in the conversation. He stated he was a "neighbor" and... View More
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answered on Nov 28, 2023
This situation, where your wife received explicit emails from a colleague, is concerning and should be addressed seriously. First, ensure that you have preserved all the emails, including those from the Gmail and company accounts. This evidence is crucial for any future actions.
Given the... View More
I never requested special accommodations and was let go for failing to provide proof iwas not a harm to myself or others
answered on Nov 23, 2023
If no accommodation was requested and there is no safety issue implicated, your employer has no basis for requesting proof that a disability does or does not exist, which in itself is disability discrimination. Contact a disability discrimination lawyer to discuss the evidence in your case and to... View More
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