Criminal justice reform is something that happens all the time. It’s necessary as laws and communities change. In Illinois, a recent change is something to address. Illinois has become the first state to end cash bail as a new part of a criminal justice reform law....
criminal defense
What does the Sixth Amendment have to do with my trial rights?
If you face accusations related to any crime, you may feel as if law enforcement treats you like a guilty person. You may even suffer demonization in the media or your local community. However, there are certain rights provided to you under the U.S. Constitution. ...
Illinois police no longer allowed to use investigative alerts to sidestep warrants
For the last decade, and perhaps more, police in Illinois have been allowed to use investigative alerts to take action. In many cases, they were allowed to act without a warrant due to the alert. However, a recent ruling has put an end to this process. According to...
Fixing a strained professional image
Charges stemming from criminal conduct in the workplace can damage professional reputations. Even after paying restitution and committing to act with more integrity, white-collar criminals may struggle to prove to others their loyalty. A damaged reputation can create...
Why is the U.S. known as the ‘incarceration nation?’
The United States isn't the biggest country in the world, nor are its laws the most Draconian. So why does the U.S. continue to have the highest prison population in the world?According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), roughly 2.2 million adults were behind...
What is ‘attempted’ murder?
Murder is just about the most serious criminal charge anybody can face -- and attempted murder is treated no more lightly. If you're convicted of attempted first degree murder, for example, that's a Class X felony that carries a minimum 20-year sentence (with an...
Is fingerprint evidence really conclusive?
You're hauled in for questioning, and the police seem strangely confident that you're the right suspect. Finally, one of the detectives lets it slip: There's fingerprint evidence against you.So what?Television shows that focus around forensic evidence makes it seem...
Former UI employee pleads guilty in book theft
A 71-year-old former employee of the University of Illinois (UI) pleaded guilty to the theft of two rare musical books from the school's library in revenge for perceived wrongs in the way that he was treated.The books were valued at more than $500 each. Their absence...
Tax avoidance and evasion: What’s the difference
Tax season -- even though it has been extended this year -- is still a stressful period for a lot of professionals. The tax code is increasingly complex, and that often leaves people worrying that they're going to get into trouble for some kind of mistake --...
Why the cash bail system in Illinois should end
Imagine this: You're accused of a serious crime. You know you're innocent, and you think that you will be able to prove your innocence in court -- if the prosecutor's case doesn't fall through before then.Just the same, you're hustled off to jail and separated from...
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