If you have ever experienced a brush with the law or been arrested, it is likely you have spoken with a criminal defense attorney in your lifetime. These lawyers are arguably one of the most important people involved in any case. The right to a defense is so important to the American way of life that it was even included in the United States Constitution. The law states that any person accused of a crime will be assigned an attorney if he or she cannot afford one. Although you are not technically required to have legal representation when you face criminal charges, having an attorney by your side can dramatically increase the chances that your case will result in a favorable ending.

Why Seeking Legal Representation Is Important

The legal principle that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty is an inherent right to every U.S. citizen. However, it is essential to have legal counsel to protect your rights in a courtroom for the following reasons:

For most Americans, having the ability to drive is a necessity, rather than a privilege. Even doing normal, everyday things such as taking children to school or running to the grocery store involves driving. Illinois laws provide for multiple reasons as to why a person could lose their driving privileges. Some violations are unrelated to driving, such as failing to pay child support or appear in court, while most deal with some sort of driving-related infraction. For the most part, the most common way people lose their driving privileges is by being arrested or convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol. That is why it is crucial to fully understand the consequences of these types of crimes in order to avoid further punishments.

Losing Your Driving Privileges

Even if you are not convicted of DUI, you will lose your driving privileges through a statutory summary suspension if you arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and fail a chemical test or refuse to take a chemical test. If you are convicted of DUI, you will face a certain period of time during which your license will be suspended. Every situation is different, but for the most part, you are permitted to apply for special driving permits that would allow you to legally drive with your suspended or revoked license as long as you obey the terms of the permit. If you do not apply for a driving permit, but you still choose to drive while your license is suspended or revoked, you can face serious consequences.

If you are a driver, there is a good chance you will be pulled over by law enforcement for some reason during your lifetime. If you have ever been stopped by the police, you know the feelings of anxiety and fear that can manifest because of those flashing red and blue lights. Being pulled over because an officer suspects you are driving under the influence (DUI) is even more serious. DUI offenses are not taken lightly in the state of Illinois, and a conviction for a first offense could result in steep fines, the suspension or revocation of your driver's license, and even jail time. Although the uncertainty of a DUI traffic stop can be very intimidating, what you do after being pulled over can greatly impact your case. Below are a few common mistakes that people make after being pulled over on suspicion of DUI:

Admitting You Have Been Drinking

When the police officer first approaches your window, he or she will probably try to make small talk. This might include questions about where you have been or what you have been doing. The officer might even outright ask you if you have been drinking. While you should never answer that you have indeed been drinking, you should also never lie to the police. If an officer asks you if you have been drinking, you can inform him or her that you would rather not answer that question.

Since January, the world has seen an exponential rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. As of March 23, there were nearly 335,000 confirmed cases reported around the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). We still do not know everything that we need to know about COVID-19, a new virus that has emerged from the coronavirus family. What we do know is that most people are recovering from the virus, although individuals who have underlying health conditions or who are over the age of 65 have a higher mortality rate. 

One thing we do know is that COVID-19 is spreading rapidly through person-to-person contact. So far, the only effective way to stop the spread is to practice social distancing if you do not have the virus, quarantine yourself if you believe you may have come into contact with someone who does have the virus, and isolate yourself if you are confirmed to have the virus. In Illinois, if you are given specific quarantine orders, you must obey them, or you risk potential criminal charges.

According to the United States Constitution, every American has the right to own a firearm, as per the Second Amendment. Although we have this right, states are allowed to place certain restrictions and limitations on firearm users. This is accomplished by creating laws that apply to the purchase, ownership, and possession of firearms. The state of Illinois is notorious for having rather strict gun laws compared to other states. For example, you are not permitted to openly carry a firearm in the state of Illinois, as all firearms must be concealed from view if you wish to carry them. In addition, if you want to conceal your firearm to carry it in public, you must obtain an Illinois concealed carry license (CCL) to do so. Violations of these laws could result in misdemeanor or felony charges.

Obtaining an Illinois CCL

When it comes to CCL licenses, Illinois is a “shall issue” state. This means that any person who meets all requirements and follows all procedures to obtain a CCL will be issued a license. In order for a person to obtain a CCL, he or she must: