Using cell phone records to track a suspect’s movement and activity is a frequent technique used by law enforcement when conducting a criminal investigation. However, change appears to be on the horizon as members of the United States Supreme Court seem to indicate that prolonged cell phone tracking without a warrant amounts to an unreasonable search and violates an alleged defendant’s right to privacy.

What Has Changed?

A previous Supreme Court ruling indicated that citizens could expect no privacy from making calls from a landline or for checks they wrote on a bank account; it is widely known and expected that calls or transactions for these are kept for a number of business purposes. This latest challenge seems to indicate a shift from that position.

Sometimes it starts on a dare when someone is very young. Other times, one begins shoplifting because they need some kind of thrill in their life. Whatever the reasons, shoplifting is not only illegal but results in millions of dollars in both loss to retailers and legal expenses every year.

What Exactly is Shoplifting?

Some people try to downplay shoplifting by suggesting it is a minor offense that involves taking just small items without paying for them. However, shoplifting is just another term for both “theft” and “larceny” and under certain circumstances could result in harsh penalties for repeat offenders. It should also be made clear that switching price tags or attempting to return an item taken from the shelf for store credit also fall within the definition of shoplifting.

The two terms are frequently substituted for each other with regularity, usually by those who do not really know the difference. The fact is, while similar in nature, criminal charges of assault and battery have distinctive differences in how they are applied and eventual consequences.

Differentiating Between the Two

While both may be justified in the case of defending oneself from a perceived threat, and must have occurred in an intentional manner, there are differences that set a charge of assault from that of battery. Here we list a summary intended to better explain the nuances of both criminal charges.

Having a conviction or even an arrest on your record can make it difficult to get a good job, obtain a loan or rent an apartment. However, under the right circumstances and with the right help, it is possible to have your record expunged, which allows a person to live life without having past mistakes hold them back.

Do You Qualify?   

The first thing a person should know is that the state of Illinois does not offer record expungement of all offenses or convictions. Unfortunately, there are some things that will follow you throughout life regardless of how long ago they occurred. So what are some of the details that might impact one’s ability to seek and obtain destruction of past criminal records?

In Illinois, as is the case in all other 49 states, lawmakers have established statutes that set the age at which an individual may legally give consent to participate in sexual activity. Violation of the age of consent, by one or both partners, can result in serious sex crime charges that carry severe consequences.

Sexual Abuse Laws

In nearly all cases, the age of consent in Illinois is 17, which means engaging in sexual activity with a partner 16 or younger will result in a range of charges, from a misdemeanor to a felony, under the state’s sexual abuse laws.