Being arrested for a first-time DUI in Illinois is a frightening experience, and can leave you wondering what happens after your first DUI in Illinois? In short, you face both administrative and criminal penalties that may include jail time, up to $2,500 in fines, and license suspension. A first DUI is considered a Class A misdemeanor; … Continue reading What happens after your first DUI in Illinois?

Illinois may soon join the growing number of states that are legalizing not only medical, but recreational marijuana.  Once pot is legal, it raises the question as to what will happen to people who are currently incarcerated on cannabis-related charges and to those who have felony pot convictions. With cultivation, trafficking, sale, or possession of marijuana … Continue reading  If Marijuana is Legalized in Illinois, What Happens to Prior Convictions?

The United States imprisons more people than any other country, and many of those incarcerated are parents who wind up losing their children. According to the Marshall Project, more than half of the 2.2 million people in the nation’s prisons and jails are parents of minor children. The Marshall Project statistics show that between 2006 … Continue reading Incarceration Has an Enormous Impact on Parental Rights

Attitudes toward drugs are changing, so it is not surprising that Illinois has some new drug laws you should know about in 2019 and that additional reforms are being considered. Many people now believe that the “war on drugs,” which threw so many non-violent offenders into jail in recent years, has created more problems than … Continue reading What You Should Know About Illinois Drug Laws in 2019

Hate crimes are criminal offenses in Illinois, but so is falsely accusing others of a hate crime, as actor Jussie Smollett is alleged to have done.  Smollett was charged by a grand jury with felony disorderly conduct for falsely reporting a hate crime. According to reports from the Chicago Sun-Times, his accusers say he staged the crime … Continue reading The Jussie Smollett Case, Explained

Going through a divorce is one of the most stressful experiences in life, and it often brings out the worst in people. It is bad enough when partners agree to be civil, but when divorce degenerates into a high-conflict one, it can become unbearable and destructive to all parties involved. Spouses undergoing high-conflict divorce often clash, … Continue reading 5 Reasons Why Some Divorces are High-Conflict

If you are facing divorce, you will have to deal with both short- and long-term financial concerns such as how to support two households on income that once supported one.  The financial planning decisions you make will affect you and your families for years to come. It is always better if you and your spouse … Continue reading Financial Planning Considerations for Divorce

Anyone arrested for a Class 3 felony in Illinois is facing serious charges and should fully understand not only what a Class 3 felony is, but what the possible consequences are if convicted. Illinois crimes are classified according to how seriously they are regarded.  Misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, which are broken down into … Continue reading What Is a Class 3 Felony in Illinois?

What happens to the dog when “pet parents” decide to divorce? Divorce is a messy and often contentious process, especially when couples don’t agree about dividing assets. When an animal has become an integral part of the family and is loved by both partners, deciding who gets a beloved pet after divorce can be a … Continue reading Who Gets the Dog in a Divorce? A Prenuptial Agreement Can Solve the Age-Old Question.

Illinois has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, and penalties for violating them can be severe. If you are caught violating concealed carry laws, punishments can range from a misdemeanor for a first offense to a class 3 felony for a subsequent offense, which can be punishable by five years in prison … Continue reading First Steps to Take After Being Charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon