How Does Illinois Define and Punish Aggravated DUI?

The State of Illinois features strict laws against driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, drugs, or similarly intoxicating substances. Any driver who commits DUI in Illinois can face a variety of consequences, including confinement, fines, and license suspension.

On top of the standard DUI laws mentioned above, Illinois also has an elevated charge of aggravated DUI. The aggravated version of this offense applies to certain repeat offenders and in various other circumstances. Any driver who commits aggravated DUI can expect to face even more severe punishment under Illinois law. 

What is the Illinois Definition of Aggravated DUI?

Illinois law at 625 ILCS 5/11-501 provides the state-specific definition of aggravated DUI. Under this section, the situations in which a regular DUI becomes aggravated DUI include but are not limited to:

    A driver commits DUI for a third or subsequent time; A person commits DUI while operating a school bus with
[...]

Written by on May 28, 2021

How Does Illinois Define and Punish Criminal Sexual Abuse?

In the State of Illinois, there are laws against and penalties for various sex crimes, including criminal sexual abuse. Although this category of offenses bears a certain similarities to sexual assault crimes, criminal sexual abuse has a specific statutory definition and punishment, as the following sections will explain in more detail. 

What are the Illinois Laws Against Criminal Sexual Abuse?

The Illinois laws against criminal sexual abuse appear at 720 ILCS 5/11-1.50. Under this section, criminal sexual abuse occurs when a person:

    Commits an act of sexual conduct through force or violence; Commits an act of sexual conduct through the threat of force or violence; Commits an act of sexual conduct, knowing that the victim is unable to provide consent or understand the nature of the act; Commits an act of sexual conduct or sexual penetration, and the victim is under the age of 17 years old. 

In [...]

Written by on March 26, 2021

How Does the Illinois Criminal Code Address Forgery?

Forgery is an offense under the Illinois Criminal Code that involves misrepresentation with fraudulent intentions. There are many different types of forgery in Illinois. Depending on the object of forgery in question, the punishment can fluctuate greatly. In most cases, forgery crimes include extended confinement and hefty fines. 

What are the Illinois Laws Against Forgery?

720 ILCS 5/17-3 establishes the Illinois laws against forgery. Under this section, a person commits forgery if they demonstrate fraudulent intent and knowingly:

    Creates a false document or alters any document to make it false; Delivers or uses such a false document, knowing that the document is false; Possesses a false document with the intention to deliver or use it and knowing that the document is false; Uses the digital signature of another person unlawfully and without authorization; or Exploits the signature device of another person unlawfully and without authorization to create a false electronic
[...]

Written by on October 30, 2020

Illinois Man Faces Felony Charges for Two Drug Crimes

An Illinois man faces felony charges for unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and another drug crime, according to an article by The Pantagraph. 

The 22-year-old man is from the 200 block of West Locust Street in Normal. Law enforcement arrested him with approximately 12 pounds of marijuana and a small amount of psilocybin mushrooms. As a result, the authorities charged this man with:

    Unlawful possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; and Unlawful possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver.

The Illinois man remains in custody at the McLean County Jail, as he declined to post $20,035 in bail. While this man awaits his next hearing, it seems like a proper chance to review Illinois laws against and penalties for unlawful possession.  

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance

Generally speaking, 720 ILCS 570/402 makes it unlawful to possess any controlled substance. Furthermore, Illinois law divides [...]

Written by on December 27, 2019