Joliet Criminal Law Blog

22 Jul 2020

Published by:Doug G. DeBoer

Juvenile Crimes

Teens Have a lot at Stake When Charged with a Crime in Illinois

One mistake should not lead to a lifetime of punishment.

It is all too easy for young people to make poor decisions. Drug use, theft, and computer crimes are traps many young people fall into. Neuroscientists estimate that a person’s prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for judgment, does not fully develop until after age 20. Combined with the bad influences surrounding many teens, it is no wonder some teens stumble and find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

However, punishing a person for a lifetime after one youthful mistake is not in anyone’s best interest. The juvenile court, therefore, looks to rehabilitate teens rather than

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22 Jul 2020

Published by:Doug G. DeBoer

Drug Crimes | MDMA/Ecstasy/Molly

MDMA in the Form of Ecstasy or Molly Common Among Students

Created in 1912 as a blood clotting agent, MDMA has become common on college campuses. What a chemist in the 1950s touted for producing feelings of closeness and empathy can now bring drug charges for Ecstasy possession.

Police on Illinois college campuses have reported seeing more MDMA in two forms: Ecstasy and Molly. In the case of one bright young University of Illinois student, assault and possible drug charges may mean the end of a promising college track career. The freshman student allegedly attacked a resident assistant in the dorm bathrooms, and police were called.

The student acted strange and appeared to be on something. A Taser was used twice

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22 Jul 2020

Published by:Doug G. DeBoer

DUI/Drunk Driving

Refusing a Breath Test in Illinois Can Lead to Serious Penalties

Illinois drivers know that if they are arrested for drunk driving, harsh penalties are likely to follow. However, fewer are likely to know that severe penalties can result if they are pulled over under suspicion of drunk driving and refuse to take a blood or breath test, whether or not they are ultimately found to be over the legal limit.

The reason for these penalties is found in Illinois’ implied consent law. Under the law, all Illinois residents have agreed, by exercising the privilege of driving motor vehicles on the state’s roads, to agree to take a chemical test to determine the degree to which they are impaired if suspected [...]

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7 Feb 2018

Published by:Doug G. DeBoer

Criminal Defense | DUI/Drunk Driving

How Much You’ll Really End Up Paying for an Illinois DUI Conviction

A Driving Under the Influence (DUI) conviction is quite serious in our state, with consequences that can be life-altering in many ways. This goes beyond the criminal penalties imposed by the State of Illinois, too. Getting a DUI is also a serious financial burden, one that may end up costing you thousands of dollars when all is said and done.

What are the different expenses of a DUI, and what can you expect to pay?

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office estimates that each DUI costs around $18,030. The total cost of a DUI varies between cases, but you generally can anticipate some or all of the below costs we’ve [...]

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7 Feb 2018

Published by:Doug G. DeBoer

Cocaine Charges | Criminal Defense | Drug Crimes | Heroin Charges | Marijuana Charges | MDMA/Ecstasy/Molly

Illinois Drug Possession Charges: Are They Really That Serious?

Short answer: yes. The consequences for drug possession in Illinois are wide-ranging, but the act is more severely sentenced here than in many other states, with most possession offenses charged at the felony level.

If convicted, you will likely face a lengthy prison and/or probation sentence and hefty criminal fines. For felony-level offenses, you will also bear the lifelong consequences associated with being a convicted felon. The criminal record that follows you will tarnish your applications for housing, employment, and loans and could even compromise child custody cases.

Because of this, if you are facing drug possession charges, it is imperative to take them seriously and be aware of what [...]

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