Illinois Criminal Defense Blog

Prank phone calls have been around almost as long as the phone has, but the newly evolving internet age has made it even easier and more sophisticated for people in Illinois and elsewhere to play jokes they think are harmless and won’t get them in trouble. However, as you may be aware, law enforcement considers swatting anything but harmless, and if caught, you could find yourself facing serious criminal consequences.

Swatting usually makes it into the news when something goes horribly wrong with the prank or it impacts multiple people, but it happens more than you might think. Authorities say that the false police reports known as swatting happen at least 400 times a year across the United States. The prank may involve a caller reporting another person for stockpiling weapons or committing violent acts. It could be a fake bomb threat or it could be one person posing as another and admitting to having committed a serious crime. The common factor in swatting is to lure armed law enforcement or SWAT teams to an unsuspecting target’s address.

Facing conviction for a misdemeanor in Illinois or elsewhere can have immediate and long-lasting negative consequences in a person's life. In most states, a class A misdemeanor is the most serious classification of misdemeanor crimes, usually punishable under conviction by up to a full year in jail. Substantial fines are also often included in sentencing. A man who was recently traveling in Cedar Lake is likely preparing his criminal defense regarding a particular incident that resulted in a class A misdemeanor charge.  

A police officer says he was on his way to work when a vehicle allegedly blew past him, traveling at an obviously high rate of speed. The officer claims he was able to target the vehicle with his radar device. He also reported that the device registered a speed that exceeded the posted limit by more than 90 mph.  

Sometimes Illinois police receive tips that prompt investigations. Such a situation occurred recently when police suspected that a man was trafficking drugs from another state into Illinois. They made an unspecified traffic stop when a pickup pulling a trailer came by, though it is not exactly clear exactly what prompted the police action. Nevertheless, charges for drug offenses soon followed.

One can never predict how a traffic stop will end. Many times, police ask a few questions, issue a warning and send people back on the roads. This is not always what happens, however, as made evident when the pickup truck driver wound up getting arrested. 

No Illinois motorist wants to think about getting pulled over on the way home from work or after a night out with friends. Many people stop off to have a beer during their travels and that can surely complicate matters if a police officer detects the smell of alcohol on a person's breath. If he or she uses a breath test device to confirm a suspicion, the person driving may wind up needing a strong criminal defense.  

The events leading up to a drunk driving arrest may be critical to avoiding conviction. For instance, following an arrest, investigators often question a defendant. By law, no interrogation may take place if an individual is in police custody and under interrogation unless and until the accused has been informed of his or her Miranda Rights.