The classically antagonistic relationship between dogs and postal workers has been the subject of many comedy skits and great movie scenes. While most dogs are friendly to visitors and the vast majority of the millions of deliveries in America each day are made safely, it is unfortunately true that people who deliver mail, packages, and food are sometimes viciously attacked by dogs through no fault of their own. 

Dog attacks can be terrifying to experience and can have serious physical and emotional consequences. Injuries sustained in dog attacks can require expensive treatment, including surgery and physical therapy, and may even cause lifelong physical deformation. If you were delivering a package and were attacked by a dog, you may want to meet with an Illinois dog attack lawyer. 

Common Dog Attack Injuries

Dog attack injuries can vary widely in their seriousness and in the level of treatment they require. However, common injuries sustained in dog attacks include: 

Continue Reading...

Of all the jobs in Illinois, construction work exposes workers to some of the most consistently dangerous conditions. Throughout the United States, heavy machinery, slippery conditions, unstable scaffolding, and other risk factors contributed to over 1,100 construction worker deaths in 2019 alone, with many tens of thousands of construction site injuries. While most injuries are not life-threatening, others are serious enough to take a worker off the job for months and sometimes even permanently. Here are some of the most common injuries sustained by construction workers in Illinois. 

Common Construction Site Accidents 

The United States Department of Labor keeps statistics on construction industry accidents. According to their estimates, the most common cause of injuries and fatalities were falls, slips, and trips. Most fatalities occur when someone falls to a lower level. Other common causes of serious accidents include: 

• Electrocution
• Being struck by a swinging or falling object
• Getting caught in or hit by equipment or machinery 
• Reckless drivers next to roadway construction sites
• Ground collapses

Common injuries from these accidents include, but are not limited to: 

Continue Reading...

Getting caught with illegal drugs carries serious penalties in Illinois, especially as the attention of courts and society at large is drawn towards the dangers of the opioid pandemic. In general, more dangerous drugs carry more serious penalties, and while people may disagree with the classifications, drugs are nevertheless divided into strict classes that make determining criminal punishments easier. 

The least serious drugs are classified as Schedule V drugs, which includes things like cough syrup and other substances that are unlikely to be abused. On the other end of the spectrum are Schedule I drugs, including heroin, ecstasy, and, on the federal level, cannabis. Oxycodone is a Schedule II drug, and along with other opiates, it has a high potential for addiction and abuse. If you have been charged with possession or distribution of Oxycodone or another illegal drug, it is important to get the help of an Illinois criminal defense attorney. 

What Are Schedule I and II Drug Crime Penalties? 

The fact that Schedule II drugs can be obtained with a prescription makes them easy to buy and sell. However, even if a drug like Oxycodone was obtained through a prescription, only the person who was prescribed may use it or have it in their possession. Illegal distribution, possession, manufacture, or delivery of Schedule I or II drugs are serious crimes that can carry felony penalties. 

Continue Reading...

Much has been made in recent years of necessary reforms to the criminal bail system. Nevertheless, until bail is no longer required or there is another way to ensure people charged with crimes appear in court, bail will continue to plague people who have yet to be proven guilty. If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with a crime in Illinois, you should know as much as you can about how the bail system works. 

What is Bail? 

When someone is accused of a crime in Illinois, the state has several options. Depending on the severity of the crime, the alleged perpetrator may be kept in jail, released on bail, or released without having to post bail. If someone has enough money to pay the full amount of bail with cash, he or she can do that. If not, a jail may allow a surety bond, which lets the defendant out of jail after 10 to 15 percent of the bail is posted. No matter what happens, the defendant never gets back the 10 percent of a surety bond because the court keeps it as a fee. 

What Happens to Bail if I Do Not Show Up to Court as Ordered? 

If you posted bail on the condition that you would attend future court dates, even if you miss that court date by accident, the consequences can be very costly. In addition to forfeiting (losing) the entire bail, you can be put back in jail and charged with a Class C misdemeanor for missing court. Violating other bail conditions, such as possessing a firearm while out on bail, can also cause you to lose your bail and incur further criminal charges. 

Continue Reading...

It is the morning after a fun night with friends. You wake up, your head hurts, and then your stomach sinks as you remember - you were arrested last night for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This happens to about 35,000 people every year in Illinois and even though you may have never thought it would happen to you, now you have to deal with the consequences. 

Will I go to jail? Will I lose my license? All of these are questions we frequently hear from first-time DUI clients. While the specific punishments can depend on the case and your previous criminal record, it is important to take your first DUI seriously and hire an Illinois DUI defense lawyer so you can make the appropriate amends and avoid harsher sanctions in the future. 

What Are the Penalties for a First-Time DUI in Illinois? 

Someone’s first DUI offense is a Class A misdemeanor. Class A misdemeanors are the most serious misdemeanor charges and one could land you in jail for up to a year, along with up to $2,500 in fines. For strictly first-time DUI offenses, it is rare to be hit with the harshest penalties available - more often, there will be a mandatory $500 minimum fine, probation, and possibly substance abuse counseling. 

Continue Reading...