By Martindale Hubbell for Law Offices of Paul Chatzky | Published August 27, 2013 | Posted in Criminal Defense | Tagged Tags: Distracted Driving Laws, Illinois criminal defense lawyer | Leave a comment
When you are a criminal defendant, your courtroom behavior can have a big impact on the outcome of your case. This was certainly the case with NFL player Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson during a recent courtroom appearance. After Johnson patted his attorney on the rear end, the judge rejected his plea bargain and sentenced Johnson to Read More
Read MoreDivorce is a financial process as well as an emotional one. The parties must formally divide their assets as well as their debts. If they cannot come to an agreement, the issue is decided by a judge under the legal principles of equitable distribution. Here are the basics of Illinois property division: Non-marital property In Read More
Read MoreAssault is one of the most common criminal charges. It is also one of the most misunderstood. If you have been charged with the crime of assault in Illinois, here is what you need to know: Legal definition In Illinois, assault is when one person intentionally causes another person to be in reasonable apprehension of Read More
Read MoreAn arrest can happen to anyone at any time. In fact, in 2011 there were 132,863 arrests in the State of Illinois. Knowing how to properly handle an arrest can make all the difference in the outcome of a criminal matter. Here is what you need to know: Legal definition of arrest An arrest is Read More
Read MoreIn Illinois, a driving under the influence (DUI) charge is more complicated that many people think. In fact, you can get charged with DUI while asleep. Last year, the son of former Illinois Governor George Ryan was charged with DUI when police found him sleeping in his pickup truck in a White Castle parking lot. Read More
Read MoreIf you are facing a divorce, your social media activity could come back to haunt you in court. In fact, according to a recent study from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 57 percent of divorce cases involve evidence reflecting a party’s “Relationship Status” used online. Of those cases using social media statuses in evidence, 64 Read More
Read MoreEvery year, more than 1.3 million women experience domestic violence nationwide. In Illinois alone, there are more than 100,000 domestic violence incidents reported every year. Oftentimes, victims are trapped in a marriage with their abuser. If you are a victim of domestic violence seeking a divorce, the following tips may serve to enhance your safety: Read More
Read MoreIn Illinois, nearly 52 percent of households have pets. If a couple divorces, the custody of the pet can be a heated issue. The parties may feel like the pet is a member of the family, but courts view pets as personal property. If you’re concerned about pet custody following divorce, consider the following: Best Read More
Read MoreThe Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guards people from unwelcome and legally unjustified and seizures. A deeply divided U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that taking a cotton swab of an arrestee’s cheek to obtain a DNA sample is like fingerprinting and photographing, and not a violation of the Fourth Amendment. Illinois already allowed post-arrest Read More
Read MoreMany mistakenly assume that traffic ticket offenses are not criminal matters. Driving with a suspended license in Illinois is a very serious crime carrying stiff penalties. Reinstating your driving privileges after suspension or revocation can be a lengthy and costly process. Stiff penalties for driving with a suspended license in Illinois A first-time offender for Read More
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