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Recent Blog Posts
Can I Get a DUI if Someone Reports Me for Drunk Driving?
If someone calls the police to report you for drunk driving, you can get charged with a DUI. When a report is made, law enforcement may come to investigate, and if they find you driving under the influence, you could be arrested and charged.
Even if you have already arrived home, police officers can use witness statements, video evidence, or even your own actions as evidence against you. It is essential to understand that once a report is made, the police have a duty to investigate, and if they find enough evidence, they will pursue a DUI charge. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to speak with an experienced Arlington Heights, IL DUI attorney who knows how prosecutors think and can build a strong defense for you. Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law has a history of successful case results, including dismissals for repeat DUI offenses.
What Happens When Someone Calls the Police Suspecting a DUI?
When someone calls the police to report suspected drunk driving, officers are usually dispatched to investigate the report immediately. The police will look for the vehicle in question and will try to observe any signs of impaired driving, such as swerving, speeding, or erratic behavior.
Can I Still Get a DUI if I Refused Testing?
Breath tests like breathalyzers are used by law enforcement to estimate a driver’s blood alcohol content. Refusing to submit to field sobriety or chemical testing when you are suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) carries administrative consequences, including a one-year license suspension. Some people would be willing to lose their license for a year if it means getting out of a DUI. Unfortunately, however, you can still be charged with and convicted of DUI without ever going through any formal testing.
Other forms of evidence can still be used to prove that you were intoxicated. If you have been accused of a DUI, you will need a strong legal defense even if you never submitted to testing. At Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law, our Arlington Heights, IL DUI defense attorney has over 25 years of experience in criminal law, which allows him to handle these kinds of cases with confidence.
Traffic Ticket: Should You Fight It Or Simply Pay the Fine?
Under Illinois state law, there are numerous traffic violations that could lead to a ticket. Many people do not realize that traffic tickets can be challenged, but is fighting your latest one really worth the trouble? The answer depends on your situation. In many cases, a review of the events leading up to the ticket can expose weaknesses in the officer’s claims.
At Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law, our Arlington Heights, IL traffic defense lawyer has over 25 years of legal experience. We can review your case to see if you have a valid defense against a traffic ticket and go over the options to minimize the damage. As a former prosecutor himself, Attorney Scott Anderson knows how these cases proceed through the court system.
What Are Some of the Most Common Traffic Violations?
Traffic violations in Illinois cover a wide range of driving conduct. Some tickets involve simple mistakes, while others point to more serious driving habits. A few violations appear again and again on Illinois roads, including:
Understanding Reasonable Suspicion and Probable Cause for DUI
The average person in a DUI case might not be familiar with all of the legal jargon behind a charge. However, you should know two common terms that could be instrumental in protecting your rights: "reasonable suspicion" and "probable cause." Understanding these terms can help you know whether police followed the law. An Arlington Heights, IL criminal defense attorney can help you understand these terms and how they might apply to your case.
Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law has over 25 years of experience in criminal law, and has handled many DUI cases. He can review your traffic stop and arrest to see if your rights were violated.
Do Police Need Reasonable Suspicion to Pull You Over in a DUI Case?
In most cases, police officers need reasonable suspicion before they can pull you over for a suspected DUI. Reasonable suspicion means the officer has specific facts that point to a traffic violation or a sign of impaired driving. A hunch or a guess is not enough. The officer must be able to explain what he or she saw before the stop happened. One exception is a lawful sobriety checkpoint, where police do not need a specific reason to suspect each driver.
What Are the Penalties for Reckless Driving in Illinois?
Most traffic tickets in Illinois involve a fine and maybe a mark on your driving record. Reckless driving is not just a traffic ticket. It’s a criminal offense, which means a conviction can lead to jail, probation, and a permanent criminal record.
Reckless driving charges cover more than one specific type of driving. Police may make an arrest after watching someone weave through heavy traffic at a dangerous speed or race through a neighborhood without slowing down. A serious crash can make the charge much worse.
If you are charged with reckless driving in 2026, our Arlington Heights, IL traffic violation attorney can look at what actually happened and help you understand how serious the case is.
What Counts as Reckless Driving in Illinois?
Under 625 ILCS 5/11-503, a person commits reckless driving by driving with a "willful or wanton disregard" for the safety of people or property. The law also covers knowingly using a hill, railroad crossing, bridge approach or another incline to make a vehicle go airborne.
Is it Assault or Battery? What is the Difference?
The terms assault and battery are often used interchangeably, but under Illinois law, they are two different offenses. Assault involves putting someone in reasonable fear of being harmed, while battery involves causing bodily harm or making insulting or provoking physical contact. In simple terms, assault is about the threat of harm, while battery involves actual harm or physical contact. While they seem similar, they can carry different charges and penalties. If you have been charged with either offense, contact an Arlington Heights, IL violent crime defense lawyer.
Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law has over 25 years of experience in criminal law and is highly familiar with assault and battery cases. As a former prosecutor, he uses his knowledge of the criminal justice system to look for opportunities to reduce or dismiss charges when possible.
What Are the Criminal Penalties for Manufacturing Methamphetamine in Illinois?
The amount of prison time someone faces in Illinois for a drug-related crime depends on many different factors. Judges look at the amount of the drug and whether the person was accused of manufacturing or selling the drug as opposed to merely possessing the drug.
Manufacturing methamphetamine or "meth" is a felony offense in Illinois. If you or a loved one have been accused of operating a "meth lab" or otherwise manufacturing methamphetamine, the first step is to seek personalized advice from a Rolling Meadows, IL criminal defense lawyer. With over 25 years of experience, Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law can answer all of your questions and provide legal guidance specific to your situation.
What Are the Penalties for Producing Meth in 2026?
The Illinois Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act prohibits the manufacture of meth or substances containing meth. Manufacturing meth is treated seriously because the substance is so dangerous. Homemade laboratories used to "cook" meth are also at risk of exploding, causing catastrophic or fatal injuries to others. For these reasons, any meth crime involving manufacturing is a felony in Illinois.
When Can Police Search Your Car?
There are a number of things that can cause a police officer to pull you over. Maybe your tail light was out, you did not use your turn signal, or you ran a red light. A police officer will likely pull you over for such violations. In some situations, an officer may request to search your vehicle.
While the aforementioned violations could constitute a legal traffic stop, is it legal if the officer requests to search your vehicle? Technically, there are certain circumstances in which a police officer can search your vehicle without a warrant.
If you have questions about a police search or warrant tied to a case, reach out to an Arlington Heights, IL criminal defense lawyer. Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law has represented clients in criminal cases for over 25 years, serving as a trusted source of legal guidance for people in need.
When Can a Police Officer Search Your Vehicle in 2026?
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution says U.S. citizens have the right to "be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures." This means police cannot search your property for no reason. There are only a handful of situations in which a police officer can legally search your car without a search warrant.
What Are the Consequences of Unlawful Use of a Weapon in Illinois?
Across the United States, firearms and other weapons are highly regulated in an attempt to keep them out of the hands of wrongdoers and to keep citizens safe. The state of Illinois is no exception. Illinois has some relatively strict laws when it comes to the possession and use of firearms and other weapons.
A conviction for unlawful possession of a weapon (formerly "unlawful use of a weapon") charge is typically punishable as a misdemeanor. In some cases, it can even rise to the level of a felony, significantly raising the stakes. The severity of the charge will depend on the circumstances surrounding the incident, which is why it is important to discuss the details of your case with a skilled Arlington Heights, IL criminal defense lawyer. Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law, has over 25 years of experience, including experience as a prosecutor.
Fighting an Order of Protection in Illinois
Orders of protection, or restraining orders, may be issued for a variety of reasons. However, they are most typically seen in cases that involve charges of stalking or domestic violence. What can you do if you have been served an order of protection? Is there any way that you can fight back? With the help of an Arlington Heights, IL criminal defense attorney, you can contest allegations of domestic violence and protect your rights.
Our firm is well aware of how stressful it can be to be served with an order of protection. As a former prosecutor with over 25 years of criminal law experience, Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law, can advise you every step of the way.
When Can You Get Served With an Order of Protection?
An order of protection can be issued in a wide range of situations. Illinois law allows a court to grant one whenever someone claims they have been abused by a family member, a household member, or someone they have a close personal relationship with. That includes current or former spouses, dating partners, people who share a child, and people who live or have lived together.
CALL US TODAY AT 847-253-3400 FOR A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
Client accused of burglary was acquitted due to our skillful cross examination of eye witness identification.
Client accused of causing the death of another while driving under the influence - Acquitted.
Client accused of first degree murder - Acquitted.
Client accused of embezzlement - Charges never filed.
Hundreds of Secretary of State hearings for Drivers License Reinstatement - Won.
121 S. Wilke, Suite 301, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
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