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Illinois Criminal Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Illinois on
Q: If I was on bond with the pre-trial conditions the same as an order of protection and the order of protection was

Dropped does that mean that the pre-trial conditions are also dropped

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Sep 3, 2024

No. The order of protection is a separate case usually with an op case number. The criminal case is a cm or cf case and one of the bond conditions is no contact with victim.

They are two separate things. Dropping of one does not equal dropping of th r other.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Criminal Law for Illinois on
Q: 63 in a 35 have to appear in court

for a first offense what would likely be the punishment

Brandon K. Davis
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Brandon K. Davis
answered on Jun 23, 2024

Speeding 26-34 over is a Class B misdemeanor under Illinois law. This is a criminal offense, which is why you have a mandatory court appearance. An attorney can certainly assist and help ensure you receive the best possible result.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Illinois on
Q: Can I be convicted of theft if cameras found me in the vicinity but didn't capture it happening?

Hello, there have been a string of petty thefts at my workplace. Some items that have been stolen are apple ear pods, $800, and credit cards. I believe there is footage of me going in and out of the rooms around the time of the thefts. There is no footage of the actual thefts because cameras are... View More

Voss Skoullos
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answered on Jun 4, 2024

Simply being inside the room is weak circumstansial evidence, especially if visiting the room was part of your daily job duties. If this is the only single piece of evidence, the case against you would be very weak. On the other hand, if there are other bits of circumstantial evidence, they may be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Illinois on
Q: Do I have to be read my miranda rights if I was questioned raided and arrested in illinois?
Michael I. Leonard
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answered on May 4, 2024

Merely being questioned does not trigger the obligation of law enforcement to read you your Miranda rights. However, based upon what you have generally described, at some point during those various events, your Miranda rights should have been provided to you. I would of course need to know much... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Illinois on
Q: I was watching the police video of Dexter Reed incident? Why were their plain clothed officers for a seatbelt violation?

Just like every other normal citizen I don’t have access to all the footage to make a determination of what exactly went down. But in the clip I saw a plain clothed officer point a gun and say get out of the car not announcing he was police at that point. Does that pose a threat to Dexter to... View More

Michael I. Leonard
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answered on May 2, 2024

Really good questions and insight. Clearly, members of law enforcement can be either in uniform or plain clothes, and of course may make, or participate in traffic stops. They need to announce their office, otherwise it is true that the individual may not even know or realize the individual or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Illinois on
Q: Hi, recently arrested for trespassing into empty storage units. Nothing stolen, have no criminal record.

Officers charged me with Attempted burglary, possession of burglary tools, and criminal damage to property; because of broken lock. These serious felonies? What "typical" outcome? Thank you

Michael I. Leonard
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answered on May 2, 2024

There is no "typical" outcome. There are many possibilities based upon the individual facts of your case; the laws under which you have been charged; your own criminal history (or lack of it); and the prosecutor and jurisdiction you are in. Quite often, pleas of guilty are negotiated... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Tax Law and International Law for Illinois on
Q: What's the statute of limitations for smuggling a rug into the US from Iran, through the UK?

My parents declared an Iranian rug they bought in the UK sometime between 1990 to 1998. They declared it as Pakistani. I was there when it occurred during a European vacation to Paris and England. I think they still have the rug, and there is probably some documentation still out there about the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 20, 2024

In the United States, smuggling items into the country by falsifying their country of origin is considered a violation of customs laws. However, the exact statute of limitations on this can vary depending on specific details such as the nature of the goods and the perceived intent behind the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Illinois on
Q: Why cannot get things back after my case was dismissed in court?

I had been unlawfully arrested in Saint Claire, County, Illinois, United States. During this process they kept my laptop, and most of my belongings that was in my friends truck. Since that arrest my case was dismissed. Now why cannot not have my things back?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your experience with an unlawful arrest and the difficulties you're facing in retrieving your belongings. There could be a few reasons why you haven't been able to get your things back, even though your case was dismissed:

1. Property being held as...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Illinois on
Q: Lawyer experienced in murder-suicide case, representing alleged suspect's family?

The individual implicated in this murder-suicide case was a US Army veteran. The police chief stated that, had he been alive, he would have been charged with first-degree murder. Due to the police recommendation, the VA denied him burial in a national cemetery. However, I am of the opinion that the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2024

I can provide some general information, but please note that assessing the feasibility of a lawsuit would require a detailed analysis of the specific facts and evidence in the case by an experienced attorney. Here are a few key considerations:

The standard of proof in a criminal case is...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Litigation for Illinois on
Q: If I was at a mental hospital during my hearing date for an order of protection would that help to get it dropped?

Me and my parents are separating ourselves, permanently. They were supporting me, and we're going through process of cutting our financial ties. Once that was mostly finished the family lawyer I was talking to dropped an order of protection on me. I sent them a bunch of angry messages, while... View More

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Apr 10, 2024

MAYBE. It depends how long ago this happened, were you served with the papers before or during hospital, will your Dr state that you were in such a mental state from mental illness or meds as to not be responsible for not showing up, etc.

Get all your papers together and go see a good...
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1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law and Criminal Law for Illinois on
Q: Do the police gave to takevl a field test of a suspicious baggie on the scene?
James L. Arrasmith
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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...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Illinois on
Q: Need representation for combating a protective order.

So, I'm receiving a inheritance under the condition I no longer speak to other family members. I don't really care about having a relationship with them. They screwed me out of billions of dollars.

After the entire inheritance was setup I was notified by the family lawyers... View More

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Mar 28, 2024

There are many terms that mean vastly different things. Have you received any papers? A protective order is different from a restraining order, a preliminary injunction, a no contact order and a no stalking order. The precise language used here matters. What will get you gun rights taken away... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for Illinois on
Q: 2 people own a car in Illinois and are stopped by police.They ask to search the car. One owner says yes the other no

Can they search the car..they were stopped for not making a complete stop for a right turn on red

James L. Arrasmith
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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

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Illinois on
Q: Can a city cop in Illinois pull u over and arrest you outside city limits
Theodore J. Harvatin
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answered on Mar 7, 2024

If he observed you committing the offense in his jurisdiction and followed you to another jurisdiction definitely. If he saw you committing the offense in another jurisdiction, while he was in his jurisdiction, highly likely that he can. Most jurisdictions have cross jurisdiction agreements.

3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI, Traffic Tickets and Civil Rights for Illinois on
Q: Can I expunge a charge from 15 years ago in Iowa?

Sept 2009 I was arrested along with other individuals due to us being in a park after hours. I was not even in my vehicle and 15 years later Im learning I have a $200 fine for an OWI and im ordered to complete 12 hour class for drinking and driving plus a substance class. I have lived and been able... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 5, 2024

In Iowa, expunging a charge from your record depends on the type of offense and your criminal history. For OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) charges, Iowa law does provide for expungement under specific conditions, but generally, OWI convictions are challenging to expunge. If your case did not... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Internet Law for Illinois on
Q: Is it illegal to catfish pedophiles and make them pay money to you, or is this fraud?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 26, 2024

Engaging in the act of catfishing, particularly with the intention of targeting and exploiting pedophiles, raises significant ethical and legal concerns. While it may seem like a form of vigilante justice, it's important to recognize that such actions could potentially constitute fraud and may... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Cannabis & Marijuana Law, Family Law, Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Illinois on
Q: legal rights and guidelines to marijuana use pregnant women in 2024?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

Here are some key legal rights and guidelines regarding marijuana use for pregnant women in 2024:

- Marijuana use remains federally illegal in the United States, regardless of pregnancy status. However, several states have legalized recreational or medical use for adults over 21. Laws vary...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Illinois on
Q: im 16 turning 17 my bf 17 turning 18. he has an open case for weed and an air soft in the car. i was there when happened

my mother wants to put an order of protection on him, will this hold up in court. there has been no physical or mental abuse. no harassing or stalking etc. She simply does not want us to continue dating or seeing eachother. his ex also has an order against him for 6 months due to harsh language... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

In court, the validity of an order of protection depends on various factors, including evidence presented and the specific circumstances of the case. If there has been no physical or mental abuse, harassment, or stalking, and the only basis for the order is your mother's desire to prevent you... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Illinois on
Q: Can the courts change a charge or can the prosecution change it mid trial or after the trial as the judge claims? 3 yrs

Is there a statue of limitations on amending a charge? The prosecutor has been pursuing charges for three years and knows the discovery shows he doesn't have anywhere near the evidence to convict on the charges but has failed to amend them to something he has the evidence for. Doesn't he... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

The ability of the courts or the prosecution to change a charge mid-trial or after the trial depends on various factors, including the specific circumstances of the case and the applicable laws in the jurisdiction. While there may not be a strict statute of limitations on amending a charge, there... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Illinois on
Q: Can the courts change a charge or can the prosecution change it mid trial or after the trial as the judge claims? 3 yrs

Is there a statue of limitations on amending a charge? The prosecutor has been pursuing charges for three years and knows the discovery shows he doesn't have anywhere near the evidence to convict on the charges but has failed to amend them to something he has the evidence for. Doesn't he... View More

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Feb 19, 2024

Pleadings can be amended before during or after the trial. The last time the prosecution can Amend pleadings is after trial. Jury instructions have to mirror charges and lesser included offenses if deemed appropriate.

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