As far as sexually-oriented offenses go, public indecency is on the less serious end of the spectrum. Often any sexual activity involved is between consenting adults, and aside from offended bystanders, there is no real victim. That said, public indecency is still a fairly serious charge. In most cases, it is a Class A Misdemeanor, the most serious category before getting into felonies. If convicted, you could face up to a year in jail or a $2,500 fine. Not to mention, you could have to register as a sex offender. The penalties actually imposed often depend very much on the specific facts of your case. There are steps an attorney can take to protect you from the harshest consequences or to challenge the charge in court. Illinois’ public indecency laws can be vague, so there is room for an attorney to make good arguments.

Explaining Public Indecency Laws, Arrests, and Potential for Conviction

Some laws are very clear-cut. If you are driving with a B.A.C. higher than 0.08, you are guilty of a DUI - simple. Public indecency laws in Illinois are not like that at all. Our state statute sets out public indecency laws so that a person is guilty of public indecency if they are over 17 years old and in a public place, they:

• Engaged in an act of sexual penetration or other sexual conduct, or,
• Lewdly exposed their body for the purpose of arousing or satisfying their own sexual desire.

As you can see, there is room for interpretation here. Quite a bit is left up to each individual police officer’s discretion. One may feel that a couple who is fully clothed but tangled up in a heavy make-out session is “engaged in sexual conduct,” while another might not think twice about it. Now, if a couple is found having sexual intercourse in a public park, that is a fairly clear-cut example of public indecency.

Drug crimes vary more than any other type of criminal offense In terms of jail sentences and other criminal penalties. The amount of jail time a person faces for a drug-related crime depends on the type of drug, the amount of the substance, and whether the person was accused of manufacturing or selling the drug as opposed to merely possessing the drug. Most people accused of a drug offense are overwhelmed and confused. They are unsure of what their rights are and what penalties they may face.

Manufacturing methamphetamine or “meth” is a felony offense in Illinois.

If you or a loved one were accused of operating a “meth lab” or otherwise manufacturing methamphetamine, the first step is to seek personalized advice from a criminal defense lawyer. Your attorney can answer all of your questions and provide legal guidance specific to your situation.

If you live in the Chicago area, you know that road construction is a constant concern. Because the chances of accidents are so much higher in construction zones, these areas are often subject to reduced speed limits. Illinois penalizes speeding in construction zones especially harshly. If you or a loved one were cited for speeding in a construction zone, a traffic law attorney may be able to help.

Driving Above the Speed Limit When There is a Construction Project

Construction projects may force drivers to drive in narrow lanes and dodge cones, construction workers, and machinery. Consequently, the maximum speed at which drivers can drive is often reduced in these areas. The penalties for speeding are also enhanced. In Illinois, speeding in a construction zone is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000. However, if you are caught speeding in a construction zone a second time within a two-year period and construction workers are present, you face a 90-day driver’s license suspension in addition to fines.

Driving 26-35 mph over the speed limit in a construction zone is considered aggravated speeding. This is a Class B misdemeanor criminal offense punishable by up to six months in jail and heavy fines. If the driver is driving more than 35 mph above the speed limit in a construction zone, this can lead to Class A misdemeanor charges and up to a year in jail.

If you were convicted of a criminal offense, you know just how much a criminal conviction can influence your life. Criminal records are often available to the general public, which means that your friends, family members, and neighbors can view the record if they want to. Furthermore, potential landlords and apartment complexes may review criminal records before leasing a house or apartment to someone. If you have a felony conviction on your record, this may prevent you from securing suitable housing. Employers may also review candidates’ criminal records through a background check before offering a job. It can be difficult to impossible to be hired if you have certain convictions on your record.

Fortunately, some people are able to hide their criminal records from most employers, landlords, lenders, and the general public by sealing their criminal records.

Record Sealing and Expungement in Illinois

Record expungement is the process of erasing a criminal record completely. If you were arrested but never criminally charged, found “not guilty” of the charges, or the charges were dismissed, you may qualify for expungement.

Being accused of drunk driving already results in automatic administrative consequences, including suspension of your driver’s license. However, a drunk driving conviction has consequences that can threaten your freedom and significantly impact your future. Criminal and administrative penalties for driving under the influence depend on your past criminal history, driving record, and the circumstances of the drunk driving arrest. You could face heavy fines and substantial jail time.

If you or a loved one were arrested for DUI, it is important to understand your defense options. One potential DUI defense strategy is to question the veracity of the blood alcohol test results. Various problems can interfere with the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) testing process. If a blood test is not verifiable, it may be difficult to impossible for the prosecution to secure a conviction.

Blood Test Results Can Be Incorrect If These Issues are Present

There are two main ways of testing a person’s intoxication level. The first is to use a breath testing device commonly called a breathalyzer. The second is to directly test the person’s blood for alcohol. Blood tests may yield inaccurate results due to problems such as: