Violent crimes occur daily throughout Illinois. Because of this, law enforcement officials are constantly on the lookout for those carrying weapons without proper permits, and the state laws regarding illegal weapon possession can come with very significant legal ramifications. As far as regulations and consequences of violating said regulations, Illinois is known to have one of the strictest gun policies in the U.S. If you have been caught carrying a weapon illegally, it is time to speak with a skilled attorney. 

How to Legally Carry a Gun in Illinois

According to Illinois state law, it is legal to carry certain types of guns as long as you have a state-issued Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID). In order to qualify for a card, one must:

• Not have a prior felony charge on their permanent record
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Have no history of domestic violence or narcotics abuse

While Illinois was one of the last states to allow concealed carry of handguns, it is now possible to get a concealed carry permit. In order to get a permit, one must go through 16 hours of firearms training. It should also be noted that open carry of any firearm and possession of automatic weapons is illegal in the state. 

When a person makes the decision to become a licensed driver, they are agreeing to follow all traffic rules and regulations in their state. Despite this fact, many drivers decide to disregard these rules. In doing so, their actions usually put other travelers in danger. Legally speaking, the act of knowingly disregarding the safety of other travelers is called reckless driving. It is important to understand the ways in which a reckless driving charge can impact your driving record and the potential ramifications of a charge. If you have been charged with reckless driving, it is time to seek out the help of a knowledgeable legal professional. 

Reckless Driving in Illinois

In Illinois, reckless driving charges constitute a Class A misdemeanor, can lead to up to one year in jail, and come with fines as high as $2,500. A reckless driving charge can come from a number of offenses, including:

• Driving at dangerous speeds
• Recklessly weaving through traffic
• Tailgating other vehicles
• Racing

It should be noted that an aggravated reckless driving charge will be increased in severity to a felony charge and can lead to up to three years in prison. 

Every year, thousands of Americans are accused of some form of domestic violence. While domestic violence is a massive issue nationwide, unfortunately, some of these accusations are entirely fabricated. Whether a spouse is looking to secure finances, seize custodial privileges, or simply see their spouse in a world of legal trouble, a domestic battery accusation is not something to be taken lightly. Below, we will examine some of the legal ramifications of a domestic battery charge and how you should react if you have been accused. 

The Legal Consequences

Finding out that you have been accused of domestic battery can be emotionally difficult to comprehend, but it is important to act quickly. Due to the state of Illinois’ “zero-tolerance policy,” police are likely to show up to your residence and arrest you, regardless of whether or not significant evidence of battery has been secured. While there are many different crimes that can constitute a battery charge, ranging from stalking to physical violence, one thing remains consistent: an accusation can quickly lead to jail-time. 

According to Illinois state law, a domestic battery charge constitutes a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted, the accused can face up to one year in prison as well as significant fines. It should be noted that there are a number of factors that can lead to the charges being elevated to a felony, the most common factor being a prior conviction of domestic violence. If convicted of a felony battery charge, one can face:

Driving at speeds over the legal speed limit is a dangerous mistake. Not only does speeding increase the likelihood of a dangerous motor vehicle collision, but it is also viewed as a serious traffic violation. While minor speeding violations will simply result in points against your license, driving at speeds 26 mph or more over the speed limit can result in an aggravated speeding charge. If you have been charged with aggravated speeding, it is critically important to speak with a skilled legal professional as soon as possible.  

The Legal Ramifications of Aggravated Speeding

In the state of Illinois, an aggravated speeding conviction constitutes a Class B misdemeanor. If the driver is apprehended while traveling at speeds that exceed 35 mph over the speed limit, the charge will be elevated to reckless driving, which is a Class A misdemeanor. Regardless of the class of misdemeanor, the potential criminal punishment for a conviction can be significant. A person charged with aggravated speeding can face up to six months in prison, fines as high as $1,500 and additional court charges. If the charge is elevated to a Class A misdemeanor, the driver could face up to one year in prison. 

If the driver is ultimately charged, the violation will strike 50 points against their license. Three moving traffic violation convictions in 12 months will result in a driver’s license suspension, and the points determine how long the suspension will last. Drivers who are younger than 21 can have only two moving violations in 12 months. Additionally, the driver may be forced to take part in community service activities and possibly traffic school. 

When a person has a serious criminal charge on their permanent record, their life can be impacted in a number of ways. Not only will the perpetrator face the initial legal ramifications of the charge (potential jail-time, fines, and a loss of their driver’s license), but also potential difficulty securing housing, employment, or loan opportunities. If a previous conviction is having a significant impact on your life, it is time to explore your options. With many criminal convictions, expungement or sealing may be an option. 

What Is Expungement?

Expungement is the process of having a criminal offense removed from one’s permanent record. The ability to hide a previous conviction from prospective employers can be life-changing. There are a few important things that all clients should understand about expungement:

• Not all people are eligible for expungement.
• While an expungement will destroy all official records related to the criminal offense, it will not have any impact on previous news clippings or other forms of media related to the initial crime. 

All that being said, expungement can be life-changing as you look to secure a job, get admitted into a school, or secure a loan.