Posted on July 12, 2024 in Dog Bites

Dog bites can be traumatic experiences, both physically and emotionally. The situation becomes even more complex in Illinois when the dog owner claims you provoked the attack. An Illinois lawyer can guide you through the important steps to take if you are in this challenging situation.

Familiarize Yourself With Illinois Dog Bite Laws

Illinois follows a "strict liability" rule for dog bites. This means that dog owners are generally responsible for injuries their dogs cause, regardless of the dog’s previous behavior or the owner’s knowledge of such behavior. However, there are exceptions to this rule, including provocation.

Under Illinois law, provocation is defined as any action that a reasonable person would expect to cause a dog to react in a harmful manner. This could include physical actions like hitting or taunting the dog or even unintentional acts that might startle or frighten the animal.

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 Posted on June 17, 2024 in Car Accidents

Although police officers are probably more carefully trained drivers than the rest of us, unexpected crashes can occur. Whether the police car is involved in a high-speed pursuit, an emergency response situation, or is distracted during a routine patrol, an officer can accidentally collide with another vehicle. If you were hit by an on-duty police officer driving a police vehicle, the process you would follow is a bit different than for a "normal" accident.

Since many government entities self-insure for accidents, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you get the compensation you are entitled to. Under the Illinois Tort Claims Act, you must submit a notice of your claim to the Attorney General and Clerk of the Court of Claims within one year of the accident or file the lawsuit with the Court of Claims within one year.  Your Illinois injury lawyer can ensure your claim is filed within the allotted time while answering any questions you may have.

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 Posted on May 17, 2024 in Truck Accidents

Being a commercial truck driver is a tough job. You need to safely handle an enormous vehicle on sometimes unsafe roads. Because trucks are so powerful, mistakes by the driver can have dire consequences. That is why certain state and federal regulations dictate various aspects of truck driving.

One example of a traffic rule that applies to truck drivers and not regular car drivers refers to the driver’s hours of service. Essentially, it places a time limit on how long a driver is legally permitted to drive consecutively without taking a break. The reason for this rule is to ensure that people who drive trucks are awake and aware enough to handle them safely so they can avoid getting into accidents. This article will offer some background information about these rules. If you think an hours of service violation was involved in your truck accident, speak with a skilled Orland Park, IL personal injury lawyer to find out how to proceed.

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 Posted on April 23, 2024 in Criminal Law

If you are convicted of a crime, you are generally compelled to pay fines and serve some sort of sentence before you can rejoin society. While you might think that completing your sentence means you have paid your price, the truth is that a conviction can have lasting implications and a criminal record can haunt you throughout your life. If you are accused of a crime and facing criminal charges, a skilled Illinois criminal defense lawyer can fight for your rights and build a strong defense for you.

What Aspects Can a Criminal Conviction Affect?

• Access to education: You might be required to disclose your criminal background. This information can influence decisions about admissions and financial aid approval.
• Employment opportunities: Background checks are sometimes part of the hiring process, and potential employers might be hesitant to hire a job candidate who has a criminal record.

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 Posted on March 13, 2024 in Criminal Law

In Illinois, the manufacturing of methamphetamine, a substance also known more simply as meth, is a serious crime that carries severe penalties for those convicted. If you are facing criminal charges related to the manufacturing of meth, an aggressive attorney can help you fight the charges and work hard for a favorable case outcome.

Manufacturing Meth in Illinois

According to the law in Illinois, manufacturing methamphetamine in Illinois involves the production, creation, or synthesis of the illegal drug. This includes any step in the process of making meth, such as obtaining the required chemicals, mixing ingredients, and producing the final product. Even possessing equipment or chemicals used in the manufacturing process can lead to charges of manufacturing methamphetamine.

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 Posted on February 21, 2024 in Criminal Law

Assault in Illinois is not always a physical act. In legal terms, assault refers to an intentional act by one person that causes another person to fear they are about to become the victim of a battery. While assault is often associated with physical violence, it can also include threats of harm or other actions that create a reasonable fear of harm. If you are facing charges related to assault, it is strongly advised you retain the services of an experienced lawyer. Your attorney will weigh the evidence and facts of the case as they use their knowledge and experience to gauge the charges against you and develop an adequate legal defense.

The Law Regarding Assault 

According to Illinois law, assault is defined as an act that places someone else in reasonable fear that they are at risk of receiving a battery or physical harm. This means that a person can be charged with assault even if they do not actually make physical contact with the person. For example, if someone threatens to harm another person in a way that causes them to fear for their safety, that could be considered assault under Illinois law

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 Posted on January 19, 2024 in Gun Safety

Reckless firearm discharge is a serious weapons charge in Illinois that can bring about serious consequences for those convicted. Understanding the laws surrounding the reckless discharge of a firearm is essential if you are facing charges, as your legal situation may be graver than you may realize. If you stand accused of recklessly discharging a firearm and are wondering what to do next, contact a criminal defense lawyer. They will be attuned to the laws in Illinois and how best to navigate your case to maximize the chance of a case outcome that favors you.

Definition and Elements of Reckless Firearm Discharge

Reckless firearm discharge refers to the act of discharging a firearm in a careless manner that poses a risk to the safety of others or their property. Under Illinois law, a person commits this offense if they knowingly discharge a firearm in a manner that endangers the bodily safety of another or causes property damage. The key elements include the actual firing of the weapon, the act being done recklessly, and the potential harm caused to others or their property. Furthermore, in situations where a passenger in a car fires a gun out the window, the driver will be responsible for the passengers’ actions if the driver had the knowledge or consented to illegal conduct.

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 Posted on December 21, 2023 in Criminal Law

In Illinois criminal law, the concept of look-a-like substance plays a significant role in determining the legality of certain substances and the penalties associated with their possession, distribution, or manufacture. Look-a-like substances refer to substances that closely resemble controlled substances in appearance but may not necessarily have the same chemical composition or psychoactive effects. If you have been arrested on drug charges involving a look-a-like substance, contact a lawyer at your earliest convenience.

Definition of a Look-a-Like Substance

Under Illinois law, a look-a-like substance is defined as any substance that is not controlled but specifically designed, manufactured, packaged, or labeled to resemble a controlled substance. The resemblance must be such that it would cause a reasonable person to believe that the substance is controlled. This definition is crucial in distinguishing between illicit substances and those that may bear resemblance but are not illegal to possess or distribute.

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 Posted on November 17, 2023 in Marijuana Use

Illinois has recently legalized the recreational use of cannabis, but that does not mean all activities related to cannabis are legal. One offense that individuals should be aware of is the laws regarding Illinois Calculated Cannabis Conspiracy. If you are facing such charges in Illinois, you should strongly consider hiring a high-powered criminal defense lawyer. These are very serious charges and must be treated as such. Hiring a legal professional such as a lawyer to represent you is imperative to defending your rights and freedom.

Definition of Calculated Cannabis Conspiracy

Calculated cannabis conspiracy refers to an agreement between two or more people to engage in the production, manufacture, delivery, or possession with the intent to deliver cannabis in a calculated manner. This offense targets people who collaborate to conduct large-scale or organized cannabis-related activities that go beyond the scope of legalized recreational use.

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 Posted on October 19, 2023 in Criminal Law

In the realm of criminal law, the concept of reckless conduct plays an important role in determining the guilt or innocence of a person. Reckless conduct is a serious offense that can have significant legal consequences for a person if they are convicted. If you are facing charges related to reckless conduct, hiring an attorney to represent and defend you against these charges is strongly recommended.

Elements of Reckless Conduct

To establish reckless conduct in Illinois, the prosecution must prove the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

• Conscious disregard – The accused must have been aware of the risk their conduct posed to others. Mere negligence or inadvertence is not sufficient to establish reckless conduct.

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