Illinois Criminal Defense Blog

Celebrating Richard Blass’s 7th nomination to Super Lawyers list

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in criminal defense on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC is pleased to announce that founding attorney Richard F. Blass has been included in the 2019 Super Lawyers list in Illinois. This marks Mr. Blass’s 7th time being honored by Super Lawyers, having been nominated twice on the Rising Stars list and appearing on the Super Lawyers list for Illinois every year since 2015.

No more than five percent of attorneys in the state are selected by Super Lawyers each year. The honor is given to those who have demonstrated a high level of professional achievement and recognition from their peers.

Illinois police search home, resident arrested re drug offenses

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in drug offenses on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

When Illinois police suspect someone of a crime, they often pay a surprise visit to that person's home. Homeowners may exercise their personal rights in such situations, which is why it is critical to understand ahead of time what those rights are and how to invoke them. Situations like this often include police appearing with signed warrants, then making arrests for suspected drug offenses after searching a premises.

That is basically how recent events unfolded at one man's house. The 34-year-old was reportedly at home when local police officers, accompanied by a state police SWAT unit, arrived at his doorstep. A search took place and concluded with the man being arrested and taken to a county jail.

When holidays are cut short due to charges for drug offenses

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in drug offenses on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.

Many Illinois residents are currently planning or already enjoying holiday celebrations for 2018. Most can relate to high levels of stress that often accompany the holidays -- some, more than others. If serious personal problems arise, such as marriage trouble or getting arrested for alleged drug offenses or other crimes, it can bring the festive mood of the holidays to a screeching halt.

A group of young adults ranging in age from 22 to 27 will no doubt have to change any plans they might have made for the holidays because they were arrested on a recent Sunday and are now being held in a county jail. Police paid a visit to a home the three defendants are said to have been renting. They apparently acquired the rental property through a website on the internet.

New Year DUI statistics

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

Every year, New Year's Eve celebrations coincide with a dramatic spike in DUI arrests and car accidents. If you are planning to consume alcohol while ringing in the new year, it is vital for you to know about the risks. A DUI accident can cause injuries and fatalities to others, along with a criminal conviction involving fines, jail time and license restrictions.

Here are some sobering DUI statistics and tips for staying safe as you celebrate the new year.

Drunk driving charges: What are the options for fighting them?

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in drunk driving charges on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

In Illinois and most other states, the penalties under conviction for illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol are quite severe. When a man or woman suddenly finds himself or herself facing drunk driving charges, many worries may come to mind, especially regarding issues such as whether or not he or she will go to jail. Many people also worry about their drivers' licenses, especially if it's not the first time they have been charged with such crimes.

Under Illinois implied consent laws, you automatically agree take a chemical test when requested to do so if a police officer arrests you on suspicion of impaired driving. If you refuse to take the Breathalyzer, blood or urine test, an automatic administrative penalty will be enforced. If you believe your rights have been violated, this may be the first place to start when trying to build as strong a defense as possible.

Theft charges prompt a need for criminal defense in Illinois

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in criminal defense on Monday, November 19, 2018.

Sometimes packages arriving by delivery are delayed for various reasons. In a recent situation in Illinois, before a recipient took possession of an arriving package, it was stolen from the homeowner's front porch. Two people were accused of taking the package and are likely now focused on preparing a criminal defense as they face charges for theft.

The person who owns the home where the delivery was made reportedly had home security surveillance cameras installed. The cameras happened to have been running when the package was taken from the porch. Authorities say they believe the people seen in the film removing the package from the porch are the same two people who have been charged with the theft.

Man in Illinois facing criminal defense issues in several states

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in criminal defense on Thursday, November 8, 2018.

Police say they think a man in Illinois has been acting as a con artist for decades. The man was recently charged with theft by deception in this state. However, it seems there are several warrants out for his arrest related to alleged incidents in other states. The type of criminal defense a person presents often bears significant impact on the ultimate outcome of a particular situation.

The man in question came onto the radar of local police when an elderly person reported that the man had borrowed a lot of money for hotel expenses but had never paid it back. Officials say they believe the man has done this sort of thing many times before. He is accused of pretending to need a wheelchair so that he can gain the sympathy of elderly people.

Convictions re drug offenses can have lasting repercussions

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in drug offenses on Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

Many Illinois residents understand what it is like to suffer lapses in judgment that wind up having negative consequences in their lives. Most would be quite interested in any and all options that could help minimize long-lasting negative repercussions of such situations, especially regarding legal matters. If a man or woman is charged with drug offenses, the time to start building a strong criminal defense is right from the start.

An experienced criminal law attorney is a great asset to have on hand at such times. In fact, by allowing an attorney to determine a best course of action, it may be possible to mitigate one's circumstances. For instance, an attorney may be able to recognize when a law enforcement officer has violated someone's personal rights, in which case evidence may be challenged as inadmissible.

Defendants are guaranteed opportunity for criminal defense

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in criminal defense on Wednesday, October 10, 2018.

A situation is unfolding that involves an alleged string of incidents in Illinois and a neighboring state. Two men have been arrested and are now in need of criminal defense support. Officials are reportedly seeking federal charges even though the men are already charged with state crimes.

Authorities say police witnessed the two men existing a state preserve. Police claim the men were hauling a large amount of copper wire at the time. There have been several recent reports of copper wire thefts in the area. Police approached the men and ultimately took them into custody.

4 visual cues police officers use to detect drunk drivers

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC on Sunday, October 7, 2018.

Police officers are always on the lookout for drunk drivers. They must have probable cause to pull someone over and conduct tests to determine impairment. So how do cops detect drunk drivers?

According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than one hundred red flags of drunk driving. Here are some cues that may cause police officers to suspect intoxication.