Recent Blog Posts
What Are the Penalties for Sexual Assault and Abuse in Illinois?
Any type of sex crime is taken seriously throughout the United States. The Illinois Criminal Sexual Assault Act addresses multiple types of crimes, including sexual assault and sexual abuse. While the terms may seem similar in nature, assault and abuse are considered separate crimes in Illinois based on the circumstances of the offense. Both crimes can result in felony charges as well as mandatory inclusion on the sex offender registry. However, the details of the alleged crime will determine what further punishments -- such as the length of a prison sentence -- will be given out.
Sexual Assault Versus Sexual Abuse
The crime of sexual abuse results in less severe punishments than sexual assault because the crime is considered less extreme. Sexual abuse can be alleged if there is any unwelcome sexual behavior by a person against a victim. Typically, there does not need to be actual sexual penetration for the crime to be charged.
What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Illinois?
Obtaining a driver’s license is a rite of passage. However, there is an additional requirement before a motorist can get behind the wheel. The state of Illinois requires all vehicles to be insured before they are driven on public roadways. Insurance is an important tool that helps protect drivers from having to pay a lot of money for damages if they are involved in a car accident. Some people are turned off by the idea of paying for car insurance, because it can be expensive. However, not having mandatory coverage in Illinois can result in a traffic violation and more costly penalties.
What Is Mandatory Insurance in Illinois?
Insurance policies can be customized for each driver’s needs, but the state of Illinois does require a minimum amount of vehicle liability to be included with each policy:
How Is Drug Trafficking Punished in Illinois?
There is still over one month until recreational marijuana becomes legal in the state of Illinois. Even when the new year comes around, "hard drugs" including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines will still be illegal. It is unlawful for a person to possess, manufacture, sell, and traffic drugs in the state of Illinois, and offenders can face serious criminal charges if they are caught. That is why it is important to understand the new legislation for cannabis and how it could affect you.
What Is Drug Trafficking?
The act of bringing any illegal substance across Illinois borders is considered “trafficking.” Whether it is marijuana or a more harmful drug, traffickers can face felony charges, which can result in jail time and hefty fines.
Can “Street Racing” Result in Felony Charges in Illinois?
Roadways can generally be a dangerous place, but they become more unsafe when people decide to participate in “street racing.” This act can be defined as two or more cars racing down portions of a public road at speeds that surpass the legal limit. It is common for drivers to participate in street racing as a sport off of public roads. However, those drivers who take the competition to public streets -- where other drivers are not expecting it -- can face severe traffic violations if caught.
What Is Considered Street Racing?
The state of Illinois has a law against drivers who race their vehicles down public roadways. The law states that drivers on Illinois streets and highways are not permitted to:
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Allow their vehicle to be used in a street race
Can Failure to Signal Result in Reckless Driving Charges in Illinois?
It is a simple thing to do, but most drivers have been guilty of not using a turn signal while driving at least once in their lifetime. A recent study from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) revealed that approximately 2 billion occurrences of drivers failing to signal happen every day. On average, 48 percent of drivers fail to signal while changing lanes, while 25 percent fail to signal when turning. Not only is failing to use a turn signal considered a traffic violation in Illinois, but it can also lead to reckless driving charges, because it could lead to collisions. The study from SAE concluded that 2 million car collisions occur annually as a result of failing to signal.
How Does Illinois Enforce Turn Signal Usage?
It is against Illinois law to neglect to use a turn signal while driving. A turn signal should be given at least 200 feet before a turn, and the signal should be used before every lane change. There are other guidelines for drivers to follow in order to keep the road safe for all drivers and pedestrians:
What Are the Punishments for Domestic Battery in Illinois?
The Illinois State Police approximates that 95 percent of domestic violence cases are men beating women. One case happens every 15 seconds, and Illinois has severe punishments for those offenders convicted of the crime. Charges can range from a misdemeanor to a felony, and convicted abusers can also face many ramifications to their lives, including no access to their victims, isolation from their community, a tarnish on their reputation, and the inability to get a job or purchase a house.
Illinois Domestic Violence Act
The state of Illinois observes domestic violence between members of a household, including:
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Spouses
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Parents and children
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Step-children
What Are the Illinois Laws Against Using Bladed or Other Weapons?
It may be obvious that there are certain requirements a person must meet in order to own a firearm in Illinois, but a lot of people may not be aware that Illinois does not allow possession of certain bladed weapons. The state has a law prohibiting people from possessing, selling, and manufacturing a variety of weapons other than firearms. Depending on the circumstances, violators of this law could face felony weapons charges.
What Weapons Are Prohibited?
Illinois law states it is illegal for anyone to purchase, sell, and possess a very specific list of weapons including:
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Bludgeons
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Black-jacks
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Slung-shots
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Sand-clubs
What Are the Penalties For Not Yielding to a School Bus in Illinois?
Every state has rules when it comes to approaching and passing stopped school buses while they pick up or drop off students. Illinois law states that all drivers must stop when they see a school bus that has its safety bar outstretched, its lights flashing, and its stop sign engaged. The only exception to the rule is when the school bus is stopped on a four-lane highway. In this case, traffic moving in the other direction can proceed without stopping. Failure to stop and keep the road safe for crossing children can lead to fines and suspension of a person’s driver’s license. However, should an accident occur during an illegal pass, the offender could face more serious felony charges.
How Is Illinois Keeping Bus Stops Safer for Kids?
It does take time for a school bus to pick up its young passengers, and some drivers can get impatient waiting for the bus to proceed. Other drivers could be distracted and not even realize that they are recklessly putting a child’s life in danger by driving around the bus.
How Can I Defend Against Child Abuse Accusations in Illinois?
The state of Illinois has a low tolerance for child abuse. Even actions that may seem like reasonable forms of discipline could result in child battery or domestic violence charges if they are misinterpreted. These accusations can be devastating to the parent who is being accused, especially if the family is split. In these cases, the allocation of parental responsibilities can be altered so that the child does not see the alleged abuser again. For those who are wrongly accused, they could lose precious time with their young ones. This is why a thorough investigation by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is important when defending against such charges.
Understanding Child Abuse Allegations
Illinois law classifies child abuse as an “aggravated battery of a minor.” This charge is defined legally as any person over 18 years of age causing bodily harm and/or permanent disfigurement to any minor under 13 years of age or someone who is severely mentally impaired.
Is Cyberbullying Considered a Violent Crime in Illinois?
Social media has many benefits, but certain online sites also make it easier for teens and adults to “cyberbully” one another. Cyberbullying is defined as an act of demeaning, humiliating, or even threatening the safety of someone else through electronic means such as email, social media, and text messages. This type of behavior can be classified as harassment, which can have negative consequences. Harassment can leave deep scars on the mental health of a person, and this is especially true for young people. The victims of cyberbullying often engage in self-harming, and in some cases, they have gone on to commit school shootings. With this in mind, cyberbullying could be considered a violent crime in Illinois.
Does Illinois Have a Cyberbullying Law?
According to a recent study from Rasmussen College, 58 percent of teenagers admitted to being bullied online. 75 percent of kids admitted to having visited websites that focus on hateful comments about another minor, and 70 percent witnessed bullying via social media. It took some time, but cyberbullying is now enforced in Illinois, and legal punishments may be appropriate in order to put an end to online bullying. Illinois has an Anti-Bullying Law, which covers both face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying. It also covers acts of bullying that do not happen on a school campus. This way, a student can feel comfortable letting teachers or administrative staff know that he or she is being bullied online so action can be taken against the perpetrators.
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