Recent Blog Posts
Unlike Television, First Degree Murder Does Not Require Premeditation
Many people base most of their knowledge of the criminal justice system on what they see on television. Some of the information on television is accurate, particularly when it comes to news reporting on police misconduct and other related issues. But many people’s beliefs about criminal justice come from fictional crime procedural shows, and often the information provided by these shows is inaccurate. People do not realize that their understanding is mistaken until they find themselves in need of the help of a criminal defense attorney. One such common misconception regards what constitutes first degree murder.
The Misconception: First Degree Murder Requires Premeditation
Television shows, books, and conventional wisdom leave many Americans with a mistaken belief regarding first degree murder. Most people believe that in order to be convicted of first degree murder the prosecutor must prove that the murder was premeditated — that the defendant planned it out or thought it out ahead of time. A perfect example of a premeditated murder would be one where a person hired an assassin to commit a murder for profit. This sort of premeditation is absolutely not required in order for someone to be convicted of first degree murder in Illinois. Premeditation may very well be required in some states, but each and every state has its own criminal code and its own definition for each crime.
Underage Drinking and Driving: Illinois Zero Tolerance Law
As the school year draws to a close, young people across the country look forward to spring and summer seasons. Graduation parties, holiday picnics, and simply spending time with friends offer many teens a well-deserved break from the stress of school. Many teens, however, will choose to celebrate with alcohol, which can not only be dangerous, but is also illegal in Illinois. Some, after drinking, will get behind the wheel of a car, putting them at increased risk of injury and prosecution under the state’s Zero Tolerance Law.
Zero Tolerance and DUI
The Illinois Zero Tolerance Law makes it illegal for an individual under the age 21 to operate a motor vehicle with any trace of alcohol in his or her system. A person caught driving with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of greater than 0.00 percent may be charged under the state's Zero Tolerance provisions. A first offense will result in a three month suspension of driving privileges, and a subsequent offense carries a one-year suspension. Refusal to submit to BAC testing can result in the penalties and suspensions being doubled.
Criminal Sexual Assault and Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault
Sex offenses are some of the most difficult types of crimes to defend. While juries and the public are willing to consider most criminal defendants to be innocent until proven guilty, and while they are supposed to do this in sex cases, often they are unable to do so. This is particularly true when the alleged victim of the offense is a child, as most people do not understand the reality that children can be easily led to make false or inaccurate allegations. That is why it is so important that when you are facing charges for a sex offense that you obtain the help of a criminal defense attorney who is experienced with defending this type of offense. There are many different types of sex offenses one can be charged with in Illinois, so it is important for you to understand exactly what it is you are being accused of having done.
Criminal Sexual Assault
Criminal sexual assault is a felony sex offense in Illinois. A person commits this offense if he or she commits an act of sexual penetration and one of the following four statements is true:
Divorce and Separation Can Lead Kids to Drink More Soda
The impact of soda and other sugary drinks on a person’s health is fairly well-known, at least among adults. Most realize that if consumed in excess, such beverages can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and a wide array of other health-related issues. However, children have seemingly always been drawn to soft drinks, either as a treat or, in some cases, a regular part of their daily routine. According to recent research, children of divorce may be even more inclined to drink soda and similar beverages, leading to an increased risk for health problems.
A study conducted at San Francisco State University and published online in the journal Childhood Obesity examined factors that contributed to pre-adolescent obesity. Researchers, led by psychology professor and department chair Jeff Cookston, interviewed parents and children in both intact and divorced families, asking them to track their eating habits. When the results were compiled, the findings showed that children of parents who had recently separated or divorced were far more likely to drink soda or sugar-sweetened beverages than children of currently married parents.
Juvenile Drug Court: An Option for Some Teens
Part of being a teenager is testing boundaries and experimenting with new experiences. Unfortunately, some teenagers choose to push the boundaries of the law and experiment with illegal substances. For some of these young people the only real consequences are the consequences of getting caught, but others find themselves with serious drug problems. There are legal steps that can be taken in order to help these juveniles get the drug treatment they need.
The Juvenile Drug Court Treatment Act
The legislature found that a substantial portion of the resources of Illinois’ juvenile justice system went to young people who were using and abusing drugs. In response, it passed the Juvenile Drug Court Treatment Act. Drug courts in the adult system are special court programs designed to get drug offenders the treatment and life skills they need instead of using taxpayer funds just to lock them up for a short period of time and then release them with their drug addiction still in full force. In the adult system these programs are typically run on the local level. They involve drug treatment, programs to help adult drug offenders find employment, and often involve community service aspects. They are usually much more intensive than many other outpatient treatment options. Drug courts can also, when appropriate, order offenders to do inpatient treatment. Often when offenders successfully complete these programs they receive some benefit when it comes to their criminal charges such as a lessened punishment or even in some cases a complete dismissal. The idea of the Juvenile Drug Court Treatment Act was to create a similar sort of program for young people who are having their cases heard in juvenile court and thus normally would not be eligible for adult drug court programs.
Shared Custody and Joint Parenting Agreements
As a parent, you will always want what is best for your child. In a difficult situation, however, figuring out what is best may be extremely challenging. Negotiating arrangements for child custody can be among the most difficult situations a parent will ever face. However, for parents wishing to maintain shared or joint custody of their child must approach the situation with a sense of cooperation and dedication to the child, regardless of anything else.
Joint Custody
Parents who are divorced or unmarried may seek a joint custody arrangement for their child, which grants them both the legally recognized right to make decisions regarding the raising of the child. They will be expected to work together in creating an environment in which the child will thrive and enjoy a healthy relationship with each parent. While Illinois law does not require a court to work from a “default” position regarding joint or sole custody, it is generally accepted that active, positive participation in the child’s life by both parents is always in the child’s best interest.
Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child and Criminal Sexual Abuse
When you are charged with a sex offense you need the help of a criminal defense attorney who is experienced with defending this type of offense. Because of the unique types of evidence that are often used in cases involving allegations of sex crimes, these cases often require specialized knowledge. Additionally, these cases often hinge on the testimony of the victim more than any other type of case, meaning you need an attorney who knows how to handle victims in court. There are a whole host of different sex crimes charges in Illinois, and each of them has slightly different requirements in order for one to be found guilty. One such charge is predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a serious allegation that carries significant penalties upon conviction.
Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child
A person can be found guilty of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child if he or she is age 17 or older and has does one of the following with a person who is less than 13 years old:
Understanding Illinois Property Crimes Continued: Robbery
Over the last several weeks, this blog discussed some of the characteristics of different types of property crime in Illinois. The first post looked at burglary offenses, which include breaking and entering, criminal trespass, and residential burglary. Last week’s post examined charges related to theft in more detail, a classification which encompasses shoplifting, retail theft, and the taking of unattended property. Today, for the last post in the property crime series, this blog will consider offenses related to robbery.
Definition of Robbery
Illinois statutorily defines robbery as the taking of property, not including a vehicle, "from the person or presence of another by the use of force or by threatening the imminent use of force." Under this definition, robbery would include a mugging on the street, purse-snatching, and the hold-up of a convenience store or bank.
Assault in Illinois
What exactly is assault? Because different states have different standards, there can often be confusion about what counts as assault, what counts as battery, and whether they are the same thing. For example, our neighbor to the southwest, Missouri, does not recognize a crime of battery and considers all offenses that involve striking another person to be “assaults.” Here in Illinois, however, we have multiple types of assault and multiple types of battery.
Simple Assault in Illinois
The first assault crime in Illinois is known as either “assault” or sometimes as “simple assault.” A person commits this crime when he or she, without lawful authority, knowingly does something that places another person in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery. So the immediate follow up question has to be: what is considered a battery in Illinois? Illinois defines battery where one person knowingly, without legal justification, either (1) causes bodily harm to an individual, or (2) makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with an individual. Basically, one commits an assault when one makes another reasonably afraid that they are either about to suffer bodily harm or be touched in some sort of insulting or provoking way. Simple assault, on its own, is a relatively minor offense in Illinois. It is only a Class C misdemeanor. There is a special sentencing provision that requires that anyone convicted of assault perform between 30 and 120 hours of community service if such community service is available in the community where the assault was committed, unless the person is sentenced to actual incarceration.
The Sixth Amendment’s Confrontation Clause
While just about every child has to learn the bill of rights at some point during their education, as adults only a few of the amendments get a whole lot of media coverage. Most people know that the First Amendment covers things like free speech and freedom of religion, and that the Second Amendment deals with the right to bear arms. But beyond that, for many people, memories get a bit fuzzy. The thing is, when a person is charged with a crime, those other amendments in the Bill of Rights may make a real difference in the case. One important constitutional amendment for anyone facing a criminal charge to understand is the Sixth Amendment, specifically its confrontation clause.
What Does the Sixth Amendment Say?
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution touches on a few key rights for criminal defendants. The amendment itself says:
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