It is not against the law to drink and drive in the State of Illinois. Unlike countries like the Czech Republic and Hungary, Illinois does not have a zero-tolerance law. No alcohol is allowed in your system at all in those countries. In Illinois, you can have wine with dinner or beer or two with your friends and not violate the law by driving home. What is illegal in Illinois is driving under the influence of alcohol. One way you...

Few people will say they look forward to divorce, but a recent change to US tax laws may make you consider getting started on the process right away in Illinois. As the Chicago Tribune explained in a recent article, the Tax Cuts and Job Act will affect all divorces starting in January of 2019. The details regarding spousal support and tax treatment will vary depending on your circumstances, especially since Illinois has already adjusted its alimony laws to account for...

If you are going through the US immigration and naturalization process, you may be aware of the serious consequences of being involved in criminal activity. You could be subject to removal, denied citizenship, and immediately deported. Though you may be working with an immigration attorney regarding your case, you should consult with a knowledgeable Illinois criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible after an arrest. It may still be possible to obtain a favorable result that will not impact the...

In an Illinois divorce that involves minor children, issues regarding parenting will be a primary issue. It is no longer the case that one parent gets custody and the other has visitation. Shared parenting is the preferred approach. During divorce proceedings, both parents are required to submit a parenting plan on how they intend to

You may be regretting mistakes or poor judgment that led up to your arrest for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Illinois, but keep in mind that this is just the beginning of a DUI case. You still have the opportunity to defend yourself at the administrative hearing and in a criminal court room. In these proceedings, you can contest the three primary forms of evidence a prosecuting attorney is likely to present as proof. Instead of regrets about a...

Protecting your future should be your first priority when facing criminal charges. If you or a loved one is criminally charged for violating the law, being arrested and sent to jail can lead to feelings of helplessness. Fortunately, the process of taking back your freedom begins immediately after you are processed into jail. As a citizen, you have legal rights and you may exercise them when you need to. However, criminal laws are byzantine and the legal process can be...

In addition to being named as a 2017 Rising Star and featured as a Top 10 National Academy of Family Law Attorney, Stephanie Olsson has achieved justice for hundreds of clients throughout the Circuit Courts of Cook County, DuPage, McHenry and Lake Counties. She has had immense success at helping her clients get sober, get their driver’s licenses back, and secure a successful future in the wake of criminal charges. Her experience lies at the intersection of family law, divorce,...

A woman jumped into a Honda Civic with a man she had met at a local restaurant and went to collect a kit from his house so that they could do meth together. At the same time, local authorities were carrying out a search warrant of the man’s home. Apparently, the man was more than just a recreational meth user. When the pair arrived at his home, police were confiscating a coffee can filled with almost two pounds of crystal...

Attorney Thomas Glasgow has nurtured an impressive career as a criminal lawyer, fiercely advocating for clients through every part of the criminal justice system. His practice focuses on criminal defense, family law, civil and criminal orders of protection, DUI, and corporate law. Although he has represented clients in other legal areas, he has primarily built up his stellar reputation and complicated legal strategies through defending his clients within the criminal justice system. This October marks Attorney Glasgow’s 24th year in...

Bringing a gun through security at the airport, even if it is an accident, will get you into pretty big trouble. While there are legal ways to carry a gun into an airport, bringing it into the terminal leads to criminal and civil consequences. Since concealed carry laws vary from state and city, it is important to do your research before traveling with any weapon. Additionally, certain airlines may have their own rules for bringing guns on board airplanes. The...

About 90% of all criminal cases are resolved by guilty pleas, instead of going to trial. People charged with a crime willingly give up their constitutional right to trial in exchange for a less harsh sentence. If you plead guilty to a criminal charge, and you are convicted, the judge is able to issue you the maximum sentence. In many cases, a criminal defense lawyer may advise a client to take a plea deal if the prosecution’s case seems winnable....

When Governor Bruce Rauner announced the Marijuana Policy Project that legalizes medical cannabis as a substitute for painkillers, cannabis patients were thrilled. Prescription drugs and opioids killed 70,000 people in 2017 in the United States, and 40% of those were from legal prescription drugs like hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, and morphine. Although the question still remains, “How effective is cannabis at treating pain?” patients are relieved at the opportunity to avoid some of the side effects of prescription drugs and opioids,...

In January 2017, James L. Fortune, 33, from Grants Pass, Oregon, transported more than 100 grams of ketamine and cocaine on a passenger train to Illinois. Fortune was arrested by Illinois police following a tip at an Amtrak station. He was charged with felony possession with intent to deliver cocaine and ketamine. In exchange for a guilty plea, the felony charges of cocaine possession were dismissed. He was only charged with possession with intent to deliver ketamine between 100 and...

Ayelet Waldman, mother of four, describes her first acid trip as making her feel “...a little more cheerful, a little more productive...and very magical.” Microdosing, taking small amounts of LSD every few days or so, is a new and controversial trend, mostly popular among the Silicon Valley crowd. Waldman, diagnosed with a mood disorder, admits to have trying other traditional prescriptions, but still found herself, “Profoundly, profoundly depressed...and suicidally depressed.” Mind-altering drugs like LSD, mescaline, and mushrooms have played a...

Club drugs (or party drugs) are a group of synthetic drugs typically used in night clubs and house parties. These drugs are usually created in home labs, garages, and basements, using many different types of chemicals. Because of their homemade nature, it is very difficult to predict how strong what their effects will be. Popular Synthetic Club Drugs The following are the most commonly used club drugs for which a person might encounter punishment from law enforcement. Ecstasy (also known...