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Recent Blog Posts
Can a Distracted Driver Be Held Responsible for a Car Accident?
Driving is a daily activity for most Americans, but unfortunately, the familiar routines people follow can put them at risk of being involved in car accidents. When people drive on the same roads or in the same areas every day, they may fail to fully pay attention to traffic and what is happening around them. They may become tempted to engage in other activities while driving, or they may let their minds wander, causing them to miss important details. Despite laws that prohibit the use of cell phones or other electronic devices by people who are in control of motor vehicles, distracted driving is still very common, and it can lead to serious accidents that may cause injuries to others. People who have been injured by distracted drivers will need to understand the steps they can take to address the damages they have suffered.
Addressing Different Types of Distracted Driving
What You Need to Know About Formal Driver’s License Reinstatement Hearings
Although the terms “driver's license suspension” and “driver's license revocation” are sometimes used interchangeably in casual conversation, these are two completely different situations. If your driver's license is suspended, you will wait until the suspension is over, pay a moderate fine, and regain your driving privileges.
If your driver's license is revoked, you will have to take several additional steps to regain your driving privileges and get back on the road legally. Depending on why your driver's license was revoked, you will need to attend either an informal Secretary of State hearing or a formal Secretary of State hearing.
In this blog, we will discuss formal driver's license reinstatement hearings, what you can expect during a formal hearing, and how a lawyer can help you maximize your chances of license reinstatement.
Can I Be Charged with Theft for Buying Stolen Property?
In today's modern world, there are more opportunities than ever to buy and sell items directly from other individuals. Many people purchase items on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, or even at garage sales and flea markets.
But what happens if you buy something that turns out to be stolen? In Illinois, buying or receiving stolen property can lead to criminal charges for receipt of stolen property. Many people are shocked to learn that they can face charges for theft even if they are not the person who actually stole the item.
If you are facing criminal charges for theft or possession of stolen property, it is crucial that you work with a criminal defense lawyer experienced in these types of cases.
What Counts as Receipt of Stolen Property?
The Illinois Criminal Code defines the elements needed to convict an individual of theft. Many different types of circumstances can lead to theft charges, and most involve taking another person's property by force or threat. However, Illinois law also makes it illegal to take control of stolen property If the person who possesses the stolen property knew it was stolen or “or under such circumstances as would reasonably induce him or her to believe that the property was stolen.”
Can Police Officers Get Workers’ Compensation for PTSD in Illinois?
For law enforcement officers, exposure to stressful and traumatic events is not uncommon. Police officers may witness drug overdoses, violent car accidents, child abuse, or any number of grisly scenes. Many officers are injured or killed in the line of duty, which can also have a profound psychological impact on the entire police force.
Fortunately, Illinois law allows police officers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder caused by trauma they experienced on the job to receive compensation through workers’ compensation.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Can Be Debilitating
When most people think about workers’ compensation coverage for a work injury, they imagine broken bones or back injuries. However, some of the worst injuries are invisible. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological condition that a person can develop after experiencing or witnessing a shocking or traumatic event.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help Me After a Hit-and-Run Crash?
Being the victim of a hit-and-run accident is a shocking and frightening experience to go through. A car crash is already traumatic, but when the other driver flees the scene, it can make the victim feel as if he or she has no options.
If you or somebody you care about was hurt in a hit-and-run accident, you may be able to secure financial compensation for vehicle repairs, medical expenses, and other damages – even if the other driver is never identified.
A personal injury attorney advocates on behalf of injured individuals. If you are facing medical bills and other expenses, a lawyer experienced in hit-and-run accidents can help you understand your options for seeking compensation, and fight for the maximum amount of compensation possible.
Helping You Hold the Driver Accountable
Nowadays, police have sophisticated methods of finding and prosecuting hit-and-run drivers. They may be able to evaluate vehicle debris at the crash scene, traffic camera footage, or dash camera footage to identify the driver. If the police are able to locate the hit-and-run driver, a personal injury attorney experienced in car accident cases can help you bring a claim against the driver.
Are Blood Alcohol Tests Ever Wrong?
Illinois law considers a driver to be intoxicated per se, or intoxicated according to the law, if he or she has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or greater. A blood alcohol concentration of over the legal limit is not always required for a drunk driving arrest, but having a BAC over the limit will certainly make it much harder to beat a DUI charge.
There are two main ways that police officers and prosecutors demonstrate a driver's intoxication level: breath alcohol tests and blood alcohol tests. Blood testing is generally considered to be he most reliable way to determine a person's blood alcohol concentration. However, it is possible for a blood alcohol test to be incorrect.
Contamination of the Blood Sample
Blood alcohol tests involve using a syringe to draw a small quantity of blood from a person's body. Next, the blood is tested in a laboratory to determine the amount of alcohol in the sample. If the blood sample is contaminated, this can throw off the results. For example, if the person who administers the blood test uses an alcohol swab to clean the area and does not let the alcohol dissipate before conducting the blood draw, some of the alcohol may get into the blood sample, artificially increasing BAC.
Reasons Why You Need an Illinois Workers' Compensation Lawyer
A workers’ compensation claim can be a complex and confusing process. If you have been injured on the job, it is essential to seek legal representation to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you may be entitled to. Today, we are going to unpack the reasons why it is essential to hire legal counsel as you go about pursuing compensation for your work-related injury.
What Can Happen if I Do Not Have a Lawyer?
Many things can go wrong, including:
- You may not receive the compensation you deserve – If you do not hire legal representation, you may not receive the compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries. Insurance companies frequently try to minimize the amount of compensation they pay out and may pressure you to accept a settlement that is less than what you are actually entitled to. An attorney can ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries, including pain and suffering, medical expenditures, and lost income.
The Phenomenon of False Confessions in the Criminal Justice System
False confessions, or confessions to crimes that an individual did not commit, are well-known in the justice system. While it may seem strange or counterintuitive for someone to confess to a crime they themselves were not responsible for, there are several reasons people do so. For anyone charged with committing a crime, it is essential to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney to ensure your rights are protected. It is vital to speak with law enforcement only if an attorney is present, as this may reduce the likelihood of getting stuck in a vulnerable position, which can lead to false confessions.
Reasons Why False Confessions Occur
The following are reasons why false confessions occur, including:
- Coercion and duress – One of the most common reasons people confess to crimes they are not responsible for is coercion and compulsion. This can include physical coercion, such as torture or abuse, or psychological pressure, such as threats, deception, or intimidation. When an individual is subjected to this kind of treatment, they may feel that confessing to a crime is the only way to end the abuse or to protect themselves or their loved ones.
Understanding What Type of Damages May Be Available in a Personal Injury Case
Personal injury cases can be complicated and emotional, and it is important to understand the types of damages that may be available. Damages are the monetary compensation awarded to the plaintiff in a personal injury case for the harm they have suffered. Therefore, if you have suffered a personal injury, it is essential to understand what damages may be relevant to you and your case. Remember, an experienced personal injury attorney can be highly beneficial during this time, as they can explain your legal options while ensuring your rights stay protected.
Types of Damages That May Be Relevant to Your Case
- Economic damages – Economic damages are the monetary losses that result from the injury. Economic damages can include medical expenses, loss of income, and property damage.
- Non-economic damages – Non-economic damages are intangible losses that result from the injury. These damages are meant to compensate the plaintiff for any emotional or psychological harm they have suffered as a result of the injury. Non-economic damages can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Pros and Cons of Guilty, Not Guilty, and No Contest Pleas in Criminal Cases
In criminal cases, a defendant must enter a plea to the charges brought against them. The plea entered is a crucial step in the legal process and can significantly impact the case outcome. Today, we will discuss three different types of pleas available in criminal cases and the pros and cons of each. If you are facing criminal charges, you must work with a criminal defense attorney to understand your rights and which plea makes the most sense for your current situation.
Guilty Plea
This plea means the defendant admits to the criminal charges and accepts responsibility for their actions. By pleading guilty, the defendant waives their right to a trial and agrees to be sentenced by a judge. Sometimes, a defendant may plead guilty as part of a plea bargain. This is when the prosecution agrees to reduce the charges or recommend a more lenient sentence in exchange for the defendant’s admission of guilt.
The pros of a guilty plea are as follows:
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