Society considers sex crimes to be especially egregious. Even if an allegation of sexual assault is completely unfounded, the accusation alone is often enough to tarnish a person's reputation forever. If you were accused of sexual assault or rape, the importance of a strong defense cannot be overstated. You need to take immediate action to defend yourself and your future.

Do Not Make the Situation Worse than it Already Is

Anyone accused of a serious criminal offense such as sexual assault must understand that our right against self-incrimination exists for a reason. You have the right to remain silent, and you should exercise it. Do not try to talk your way out of the situation or make excuses. The police will likely use anything you say against you. It is always best to let your lawyer do the talking for you.

It is also crucial that you stay away from the person who accused you. Any contact or communication you have with the accuser could lead to further allegations.

What you thought would be a few drinks with friends has turned your life upside down. Now you are facing driving under the influence (DUI) charges and have lost your driving privileges. 

 At Issa Law, LLC, we understand that a license suspension can impact your peace of mind and your family’s well-being. Our experienced DUI attorneys will fight your driver's license suspension so that you can continue driving.

A Restricted Driving Permit Can Get You Back on the Road

New rules in Illinois went into effect this year, allowing you to drive 12 hours a day, six days a week, and up to 200 miles on a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) without having to prove extreme hardship in certain cases. That would enable you to drive to work, take your children to school, or attend a medical appointment.

One of the most ubiquitous myths about police officers is the rumor that police must identify themselves as law enforcement officers. On the hit television show Breaking Bad, a methamphetamine dealer suspects that an alleged buyer is really an undercover police officer. The alleged buyer says, “If you ask a cop if he is a cop, he is obligated to tell you.”  Unfortunately, the methamphetamine dealer falls for this trick, sells the drugs to the undercover officer, and is promptly arrested.

Many people wonder whether police officers are allowed to lie to criminal suspects. The answer is undoubtedly, yes. This is one reason it is so crucial for individuals accused of criminal activity to retain a skilled criminal defense lawyer.  

Sting Operations and Entrapment

Police often use undercover operations or “sting operations” to catch criminals in the act. Police may lie about their identity and intentions to apprehend criminals. For example, a police officer may pose as an underage girl online or pretend to be interested in buying illicit drugs to catch people breaking the law. Sting operations are perfectly legal. However, entrapment is not legal. The difference between entrapment and a sting operation is that entrapment involves coercing or forcing someone to break the law, while a sting operation merely provides an opportunity for someone to break the law.

While forging a signature may be the most common and well-known form of forgery, the crime actually includes a wide variety of actions meant to defraud a person, business, or organization. In our digital world, new forms of forgery are increasingly possible, but the standard definition still provides a wide umbrella under which forgery can be charged. Under Illinois law, the crime of forgery is when an individual intends to defraud another person or institution, and then knowingly commits the prohibited act. This is further defined as making or altering a false document, presenting or possessing a false document, or unlawfully creating or using a digital signature, including a PIN.

Common Types of Forgery

While methods may change from year to year, deceiving another party for financial gain remains against the law. Here are some of the most common types of forgery:

• Counterfeiting – This is the most common type of forgery, including forging someone else’s signature. This can include on a check, a driver’s license, or other official documents.

  ...

In Illinois, you can be charged with arson if you used fire or explosives to damage someone else’s property or if you are suspected of intentionally damaging any building, including your own, with fire or explosives to commit insurance fraud. Depending on the circumstances of the case and the type of building that is alleged to be the target, you may be facing different varieties of arson charges. Make no mistake though, any arson charge is a serious one. You need to retain a criminal defense attorney who can aggressively fight the charges against you.

Types of Arson in Illinois

Whether it started as a prank or something more sinister, arson charges are serious. To be charged with arson under the above definition, the property damage must be $150 or more. That means even minor fires can lead to major charges. Here are the types of arson under Illinois law:

• A basic arson charge is a Class 2 felony, and you are facing three to seven years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.

  ...