If you are arrested and charged with a crime in Illinois, the court has to determine if they must hold you until your first court date, or if you can be released while awaiting trial. If you are released on bail, you must post a bond. A bond is an official document that states that you will appear at your trial or face additional consequences and can be secured through monetary means or through your own recognizance if the judge does not deem you a flight risk.

Being released from jail on bail also almost always means that there will be certain rules and requirements that you must adhere to while you are awaiting your trial. These rules, or conditions, are non-negotiable and are set forth by the judge after he or she has examined the details of your case. This is why the conditions of bail can be different for everyone, but it is important that you do not violate these requirements or you could face even more criminal charges.

For decades, various organizations have aimed to educate and advocate for those who have been victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual abuse. Unfortunately, these issues are still all too prevalent in the United States. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in America will experience some form of rape, stalking, and/or physical abuse by an intimate partner. In the state of Illinois, committing acts of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other acts of violence is illegal. Because these crimes are often so personal in nature, orders of protection or no contact orders may be requested to prevent the offender from any further abuse. Each type of order is different and violating the terms of an order against you can result in serious criminal charges.

Three Types of Orders

Illinois offers three types of orders to victims of abusive or harassing behavior: orders of protection, sexual assault civil no-contact orders, and stalking no-contact orders. The type of order that a person requests typically depends on the person’s relationship with the offender, but it can also depend on the specifics of the case.

Domestic violence is a serious systemic issue that has plagued the United States for years. As a response, prosecutors and other law enforcement officials have taken an aggressive approach to combat the issue, but it still remains prevalent in the country. According to data compiled by The National Domestic Violence Hotline, around 29 percent of women and 10 percent of men have reported experiencing rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner. In Illinois, domestic violence is a crime that can be elevated to a felony, depending on the specifics of the case. Felonies are crimes that carry serious consequences, but an experienced domestic violence lawyer can help you form a solid defense.

Misdemeanor Domestic Battery Charges

According to the Illinois Criminal Code, domestic battery occurs when any person knowingly and without justification causes bodily harm to any family or household member or makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature. The first instance of this crime is charged as a Class A misdemeanor, which is the most serious classification of a misdemeanor in Illinois. Class A misdemeanors carry up to one year in prison and up to $2,500 in fines.

Being pulled over by the police is something that almost all of us will experience at some point in our lifetimes. Whether the stop is for something trivial, such as a broken tail light, or a violation that is more serious, such as aggravated speeding or DUI, it can be stressful no matter what. Much of the anxiety and uncertainty that comes from a traffic stop often stems from the lack of interaction and knowledge of what to do when interacting with police. Traffic stops can end up ultimately resulting in serious criminal charges for various things, including inappropriate interactions with officers. It is important for you to know how to responsibly handle a traffic stop if you are pulled over in Illinois.

Do Not Give Police Officers a Reason to Be Suspicious

For the most part, all traffic stops follow pretty much the same pattern, beginning with the officer pulling you over. Being a police officer is a dangerous job, but the risk comes with the territory. Officers are injured or killed each day, even in routine tasks such as traffic stops. In order to make your traffic stop goes smoothly with as little conflict as possible, you should try to remember these important points:

Most people know that when they are convicted of a crime, the conviction will likely affect their lives in some way in the future. When it comes to certain offenses, such as sex crimes, the effect on your future can be a bit more severe than other crimes. Much of this is due to the fact that a conviction for most sex crimes will typically require you to register as a sex offender. Being a registered sex offender means you could be limited as to where you can live and work and you could also be subject to other requirements. If you have been charged with or convicted of a sex crime in Illinois, you should be aware of how the state Sex Offender Registry works. Here are a few common questions about the Illinois sex offender registry and their answers:

What Offenses Would Require Sex Offender Registration?

There are many criminal offenses in the state of Illinois that would require a convicted person to register as a sex offender. Typically, sex offender registration is required for misdemeanor and felony convictions for crimes such as: