Illinois Criminal Defense Blog

Understanding a Notice of Statutory Summary Suspension

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC on Monday, September 9, 2019.

No one probably needs to tell you that drunk driving is a mistake. After all, not only may you injure yourself or others when driving under the influence of alcohol, but you may also derail your professional, educational or other plans.

If an officer arrests you for drunk driving in Illinois, you are likely to face a variety of consequences. One of these, of course, is a suspension of your driving privileges. When looking through your post-arrest paperwork, you may come across a Notice of Statutory Summary Suspension.

How forensic drug chemistry and drug offenses are connected

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in drug offenses on Sunday, September 8, 2019.

If an Illinois police officer searches a home and arrests someone in the home on suspicion of a drug crime, the officer might seize certain items as possible evidence. Often, the seized property is in connection with alleged drug offenses. Penalties under conviction for drug crimes in this state can be severe.

However, once police turn in the seized property, a lot more needs to happen before a defendant is convicted and sentenced. In fact, many times, cases involving seized substances from private residences never even make it to trial. If a trial does take place, prosecutors can't merely wander into court saying a particular substance is an illegal drug. They must actually prove it.

Defense strategies are important when refuting drug offenses

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in drug offenses on Tuesday, August 27, 2019.

If an Illinois police officer searches a vehicle, home or person and winds up making an arrest, the individual taken into custody may encounter numerous legal challenges if prosecutors file charges. Especially concerning suspected drug offenses, penalties under conviction are often severe. A defendant found guilty in court may spend time in jail or even state prison, as well as face stiff fines.

Being formally accused of a drug crime, even before a trial takes place, can certainly impact your personal and professional life. Your job might be at risk if you have to call off work repeatedly to attend court sessions or otherwise address the issue. If it is not the first time you've been in trouble regarding drug charges, it may also cause problems in your marriage or family relationships.

29-year-old facing drunk driving charges after collision

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in drunk driving charges on Tuesday, August 13, 2019.

Illinois police often make arrests at the scenes of traffic accidents. Sometimes, such arrests result in formal drunk driving charges. However, the filing of charges does not necessarily mean the court will hand down a conviction. There is often a lot that happens between an arrest and a criminal trial that can help a defendant preserve his or her freedom.

A 29-year-old man will likely be consulting with a criminal defense attorney in the near future, if he has not already done so. He has been charged with several crimes, including operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. The charges stemmed from a collision that took place between his vehicle, which had been traveling northward, and a vehicle in the southbound lane.

Drug offenses: Illinois police made multiple arrests recently

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in drug offenses on Sunday, July 28, 2019.

Illinois police have apparently been busy investigating drug activity and executing search warrants in the Wood River area. On a recent Tuesday, they made six separate arrests for drug offenses. It is important to remember, however, that an arrest does not constitute guilt and each accused person is guaranteed an opportunity to refute charges against him or her in court.

Police began their recent effort early in the morning. After searching a particular residence, a man and woman, ages 34 and 43 respectively, were taken into custody. The judge overseeing the case set the man's bond at $25,000. The woman's bond was twice that much. Both defendants are accused of crimes involving meth.

Facing drunk driving charges in Illinois?

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in drunk driving charges on Thursday, July 18, 2019.

Having a drink or two then driving a car does not necessarily mean you have illegally operated a motor vehicle. It also doesn't necessarily mean that you haven't. Illinois law states that blood alcohol content levels of .08 or higher are grounds to file drunk driving charges.

Is it possible to get arrested for drunk driving when you are perfectly sober? Yes, it has happened to many people. In fact, there are numerous factors that can affect things like field sobriety tests or preliminary alcohol screenings at roadside that can make it appear as though you might be intoxicated when, in fact, you're not.

Survey reports high arrest rates in Illinois suburb towns

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC on Friday, July 12, 2019.

In Illinois suburban areas, local police departments spend considerable effort arresting people suspected of driving under the influence.

The emphasis placed on apprehending DUI offenders is evident in the annual survey reports for 2018 just released by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists, reports the Daily Herald.

Criminal defense: Illinois man accused of murder

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in criminal defense on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

Illinois police say they found a man in an alley on a recent Wednesday morning who appeared to have a gunshot wound. Police also say that another man, age 50, was detained at the scene. Officers took a firearm into custody that they now believe the man they detained had used to shoot the other man. This is the type of situation that often prompts people to seek criminal defense support.

The man who was shot later died. The 50-year-old is now facing charges for homicide. The judge overseeing the case ordered him to be held in jail without bond.

Illinois criminal defense: Man pleads not guilty to felony theft

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in criminal defense on Wednesday, June 19, 2019.

Proving that someone stole money over an extended period of time is often quite challenging. In fact, many criminal defense cases are successful because defense attorneys are able to poke holes in the prosecutors' arguments, which typically include claims that evidence exists to show that a particular defendant committed a specific crime. Some Illinois cases never even make it to court because judges dismiss them for insufficient evidence or because a personal rights violation occurred during or following an arrest.

A man who is a former president of a home closely connected to a fraternity from Northwestern University is preparing for a preliminary hearing. He was recently arraigned on a felony theft charge. The state's attorney claims that the 77-year-old man stole more than $400,000 from the Sigma Chi Home Association.

Not the first time Illinois man has faced drunk driving charges

On behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC posted in drunk driving charges on Tuesday, June 4, 2019.

When an Illinois police officer makes a traffic stop because he or she suspects that a driver is intoxicated, the officer must then determine that there is probable cause to make an arrest. There have been times in the past when someone facing drunk driving charges winds up not having to go to trial due to lack of evidence against him or her in the case. Other situations involve charges that are difficult to overcome, especially those where a defendant is considered a repeat offender.

In situations where the latter is true, it is always a good idea to retain criminal defense assistance before heading to court. An experienced criminal law attorney knows how to build a strong defense to help a defendant try to mitigate his or her circumstances. A man who reportedly turned himself into police after a recent accident is likely thinking about such issues as he prepares for court.