Get free answers to your Criminal Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Several months ago, I went to a well-reviewed massage parlor in a reputable area and paid a tip using Zelle for a massage. I later discovered the place might be sketchy and am concerned about legal exposure if the parlor gets involved in illegal activities. Although I haven't been contacted by... View More 
answered on Apr 27, 2025
I would not expect this tip to be an issue unless it was out of line with other tippers. If you gave someone an unusually large tip and the place was investigated, I would expect that you could be questioned about what services were provided to you for that tip. At this juncture, it's too... View More
He's forced me down on him my wrist was sprained hes left dark purple bruises on my son from spanking him very hard and smacked his face to where he was so scared of his father and keeps telling me he doesnt want to go he tells me he is scared of his father at age 3 a child is scared of his... View More
answered on Apr 4, 2025
Call SWAN. It is a shelter for women and children in Olney. Open 24 hours. 618-392-3556. They can provide shelter, food and clothing, help with an Order of Protection, counseling for women and children. They will help you find a job, get transportation, do a resume, work with the police, take... View More
I am concerned about whether I will go to jail for a first offense traffic misdemeanor involving an accident where I was uninsured and there was property damage. Are there specific penalties I should be aware of in my situation?
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answered on Apr 3, 2025
I doubt there would be jail.
Purchase insurance and bring proof to court. That will avoid a license suspension. However, you will have to carry SR 22 for three years
You may run into problems down the road if the other driver had insurance who pays for the damages. The insurance... View More
I legally own a gun and live alone without allowing anyone, including a felon who hasn't changed their address, into my home. The gun is securely stored in a closet. Could I face any legal trouble due to the felon's unchanged address?
answered on Mar 19, 2025
No. The address is his responsibility, not yours. He would only have to report his address if he is on pre trial release, probation, parole or a sex offender. But if he listed your address, you may choose to let them know he does not live there anymore as his address is subject to being searched... View More
I was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm in Illinois in 2008 and sentenced to two years probation, which I completed without any incidents. I have not had any legal issues since then. However, I've been unable to obtain a FOID card because the conviction is a felony. Can I have this... View More
answered on Mar 4, 2025
I am not aware of any law that gives you the right to do so currently. Apparently, you were a felon on another conviction before that one. In the State of Illinois, one cannot possess a FOID card as a felon. There is a challenge to the FOID Law, however, in White County, Illinois. So check back... View More
I have a possible warrant in Indiana but I live in illinois
answered on Feb 11, 2025
An arrest Warrant can be executed in ANY state. Take care of the warrant immediately. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who regularly practices in the jurisdiction where the warrant was issued. If it is something very minor, the attorney may be able to take care of it for you.... View More
I'm having to go to court for probation being revoked but the other charge that I got I am still going to court on there's been no conviction is that legal
answered on Jan 28, 2025
Yes. Essentially, you have a Petition to Revoke your Probation partly based on your new charge and you have the new charge. In the PTR the state only has to prove that it's more likely than not that you committed the crime. In the new charge you have to be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Dropped does that mean that the pre-trial conditions are also dropped
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.
for a first offense what would likely be the punishment
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.
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
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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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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?
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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... View More
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
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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... View More
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
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... 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
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
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
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
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