Belleville Criminal Defense Blog

Deep down inside, most Americans believe they are good people. Despite previous tickets, allegations or offenses, you probably think you shouldn't have to receive continual punishment for something in your past that is no longer illegal. You may be of the mindset that bearing the burden of a criminal record once laws have been reversed isn't fair. And some lawmakers agree - it isn't.

As previously discussed, those with specific drug charges in their past may now experience the peace a clean record can provide. Illinois' decriminalization efforts are a huge relief to many. If you have a past you're not proud of, getting your record expunged could enable you to focus on developing a positive future.

Not all of those who possess drugs do so illegally. For example, if a person in Illinois has drugs that were lawfully prescribed by doctors to treat various injuries or illnesses, this is not a criminal act. However, there are many drugs that are illegal to use without a valid prescription. There are also many other drugs which have no medical purpose and are always illegal to use. These drugs include drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines and many other drugs.

These drugs can be very dangerous to take and can be very addictive as well. So, to discourage people from using them, the penalties for being convicted of drug crimes are severe. For meth the consequences depend on the amount possessed.

There are consequences for people's actions in Illinois. Some of the consequences are good and other are not. When people break the law oftentimes they experience negative consequences. These consequences depend on the type of crime committed and can include fines, community service, probation, house arrest, jail time and many other consequences.

When people are initially charged with and/or convicted of a crime, their focus is on the immediate consequences. However, they may eventually find out there are hidden consequences that can last much longer than the actual sentence. People will have a criminal record that is visible to the public. This means that potential employers, landlords and other people will be able to see that the person was convicted of a crime. This can affect a person's ability to obtain employment and housing well after they have completed their sentence.

If you have been arrested for drunk driving in Illinois, you may face significant consequences depending on the circumstances surrounding your arrest. Many drivers are subject to a license suspension, fines, community service and jail time. An effective DUI defense strategy is essential to protect yourself from these penalties.

Generally, the first consequence most drivers arrested for a DUI will face is the suspension or revocation of their driver's license. Drivers who submit to chemical testing and are determined to have a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more will have their driving privileges suspended for six months, if they are a first-time offender. Those who are repeat offenders, within five years, will have their driving privileges suspended for one year. Refusing chemical testing altogether will result in harsher license suspension penalties. A first-time refusal can result in a suspension of driving privileges for 12 months, while refusing multiple times within five years could result in a three-year suspension of driving privileges. However, first-time offenders may be given a Monitoring Device Driving Permit, which would allow them to operate vehicles with Ignition Interlock Devices installed.