Search and Seizure

When police officers show up at your door in Chicago and politely ask if they can come inside or conduct a search, it's very important to know how to talk to them. People sometimes make costly mistakes because they feel nervous or they aren't used to talking to the...

The fruit of the poisonous tree is an important legal idea that essentially states that anything related to an illegal means of gathering evidence is also illegal, even if it did not come directly from the primary event. When the law was broken the first time, it...

When you are facing drug charges, you will hear a variety of terms regarding your case. One of these terms is probable cause. Probable cause is one concept that can have a huge impact on your case. It is necessary for you to understand some points about probable cause...

Search and seizure laws are often misunderstood. Some people might think that law enforcement officers can take anything they want and others might think that law enforcement officers don't have the right to take anything. The truth is that searches and seizures are...

A defendant who is facing drug charges or any other criminal charges must take the time to explore all possible defense options. In the case of criminal charges that result from a search or seizure, scrutinizing the circumstances of the search and seizure might open...

There are several components of the Fourth Amendment that Americans should be familiar with. Most are familiar with some of the protections that this amendment gives regarding the need for search warrants in many cases. There are, however, some finer points that you...

When you are stopped by the police or the police show up at your door, you should understand your rights. It is vital that you ensure your rights are respected and protected when you deal with police officers. One of your rights is the right to have legal...

One of the primary questions people have when they are subjected to a search by police officers is whether the search is legal. The requirements for a legal search are set forth by the Fourth Amendment. While many people think that the only way police officers can...

In our last blog post, we discussed various aspects that pertain to search and seizure laws. That post brought up some important points about the rights of citizens. We know that it can sometimes be difficult to know exactly what your rights are when you are dealing...

A big question that some people have when they are pulled over by police is whether it is legal for police to search their vehicle or not. While there are some protections noted in the Fourth Amendment for citizens, there are some special circumstances that might mean...