Recent Blog Posts
Accusations of Shoplifing at the Self-Checkout
Psychologists believe that, although people are inherently good, when given the opportunity to get something free through stealing, many people are likely to make an attempt. With this in mind, grocery stores and retailers across the country prefer to have a staff member in each department. These employees are intentionally placed to dissuade shoplifting through their presence. Managers and loss prevention specialist believe making eye-contact with someone debating shoplifting discourages the potential offender, keeping them honest and decreasing loss. Although thwarted on the sales floor, there are other opportunities for theft to occur. Money and product are often lost at the checkout counter.
Tactical or Mistake?
Everyone makes mistakes. Upon returning home after a shopping trip, customers will find that - while scanning quickly and providing excellent customer service by having a conversation - the cashier accidentally missed an item, and the store did not receive proper payment. At the self-checkout lane, items mistakenly are not scanned for many reasons, even when passed over the barcode reader. However, this is an opportunity that many use to obtain items without payment. There are two behaviors used most frequently to cheat at self-checkout lanes. These tactics are:
Traffic Violations on a CDL
Obtaining and maintaining your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) comes with important duties. These drivers are responsible for safely operating larger-than-average vehicles and transporting goods and products from one site to another, often across many state lines. In 2015, there were an estimated 10 million CDL holders in the United States, although only about 3.5 million of these have gainful employment as drivers. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that approximately one in 15 of employees is a truck driver. It is a job that is in high demand and pays well. However, with copious amounts of large vehicles on the roadways with the ability to cause catastrophic damage, regulations for operation are becoming increasingly strict. With a single traffic violation, the livelihood of these drivers is at stake due to CDL suspension or revocation.
Benefits to Becoming a Truck Driver
Marijuana DUI in Illinois
Earlier this year, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner made considerable alterations to the legal world with regards to marijuana. Not only did this move decriminalize possession of small amounts of the drug, but it also redefined the terms of DUI of marijuana. Now, DUI charges are applicable only after finding a certain amount of THC in your body through testing. Another advancement has come into play to assist officers in determining who is high, the marijuana breathalyzer. This technology may alter the legal process once again.
The Law
The topic of marijuana has always been an incredibly heated debate. It was a monumentally progressive advancement for our state to become the 17th in the United States to decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot. Now, instead of a criminal record, for quantities of less than ten grams of marijuana, officers issue a citation and a fine. This step significantly frees up officers and the legal process, as well as allows these individuals to obtain employment still and pursue higher education. Additionally, the terms of DUI marijuana changed. The charge only applies if:
Mind Your Manners and Avoid a Speeding Ticket
Operating a vehicle in excess of the speed limit is strictly prohibited by the laws of Illinois. Truthfully, speeding is illegal no matter your state of residency. However, it is within the rights of the attending police officer to decide to issue a warning or a citation based on the current situation. As the driver of the vehicle, you have the ability to help sway the outcome in your favor.
Points to Remember
First and foremost, bear in mind that your behavior does not always have an effect on their decision. The officer may have a bad mood, and a citation will be issued regardless, because, in their opinion, you deserved it. Of course, opinion is not indicative of fact, and we are glad to help you sort out those predicaments. Also, state police, highway patrol, and troopers are all more likely to stick to the law and issue a ticket. The general rule of thumb is, “treat others as you would like to be treated.” Imagine how you would react if someone approached you in a confrontational manner. Would you be likely to help them out or stand your ground?
A Moment of Rage and Weapons Charges
Gun laws in Illinois used to be nearly impossible to maneuver outside of a private residence. If an individual were outside of their dwelling in possession of a firearm, weapons charges would be brought up against them. Now, the laws are slightly more lax. However, regulations are still among the most strict in the country. Many people argued and made numerous deals to grant the ability to select individuals to be able to concealed carry. A moment of rage can nearly instantaneously revoke those privileges as well as lead to incarceration.
A Firearm Is a Tool
A firearm is not a toy. It also is not to be used as a form of threat, nor to force someone to do your will. A firearm is simply a tool that may be used to protect yourself and your family from immediate danger. It is not to be used as a deterrent for a crime unless you have reason to believe that you are in a life or death situation. To draw your weapon on another person is to threaten to assert deadly force. Doing so without just cause is illegal. Assess the situation with these guidelines:
Brace Yourself: DUI Season Is Coming
The numbers from recent polls indicate that the majority of Americans partake in alcoholic beverages, with beer and wine topping the lists for preference. Other research delves into the reasoning for the consumption, citing social pressure, isolation, and the psychological effects among the top reasons. However, the anxiety-reducing effects that alcohol often ranks above the rest. Many believe that during the high-stress holiday season between Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day has a direct correlation with the increase of holiday DUI statistics.
Dangerous Holidays
Although Independence Day took the top spot for the most deadly holiday of 2015 due to the amount of DUI fatalities, coming in closely behind it is “Blackout Wednesday.” If you have not found this date on your calendar, do not be alarmed, it is not an official holiday. Blackout Wednesday is unofficially coined and occurs on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Eve if you will. Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve pale in comparison. Reasons this particular Wednesday resulted in nearly 400 DUI related fatalities in 2015 include:
Buyer Beware: That Vehicle May Get You Arrested
It is illegal to take possession of a vehicle without permission; this is stealing. If you are in the market for a used car and accidentally purchase a stolen vehicle, you can also face theft charges. Take proper precautions to ensure that the vehicle is not stolen. Otherwise, you may find yourself caught up in theft charges. After all, possession of a stolen vehicle is considered a Class 2 felony.
Hiding a Stolen Vehicle
A VIN is a 17-digit Vehicle Identification number. No two VINs are identical, similar to a human fingerprint. The identifier tracks all transactions regarding the vehicle, including everything from oil changes to accidents, theft, and sales. A goal of many thieves is to disguise the VIN immediately on an acquired vehicle. Two popular methods to accomplish this are known as VIN cloning and VIN altering.
Sporting Events Seek to Reduce DUI
Sporting events of any kind seem to go hand-in-hand with the consumption of vendor stand food and alcoholic beverages. For years, venues for large events overprice product and still fans flock to the vendors in droves to buy all they can carry back to their seats. Often, patrons drink more than their usual amount. Season after season, officers wait outside stadiums across the country to spot those who had a little too much fun, resulting in a significant number of DUI.
Venues Take Responsibility
Fault often rests on the shoulders of sites agreeing to sell alcohol to the point of impairment, putting not only their fans at risk but also the citizens of the hosting city. Although occasions such as these result in a substantial amount of revenue, there is also a significant amount of liability of the employees and property itself. Illinois Dram Shop laws can hold vendors selling alcohol accountable if an intoxicated patron ends up dying or killing someone else on the way home. Therefore, vendors and venues are cracking down on drinking responsibly, enforcing rules such as:
Public Indecency Charges in Illinois
Although it may not carry the accompanying stigma of other sex crimes, public indecency is still a sex crime that can affect the remainder of your life. Knowing what it is and how to avoid it can assist in preventing future law enforcement interactions. Understanding how to combat the charges are beneficial as well in that a conviction of this magnitude can affect not only your life but that of your children and family.
Public Indecency Broken Down
Websites exist that exploit the clothing choices of individuals when they leave the house. Many photographs leave viewers wondering about the boundary between comical and legal trouble. Where does self-expression need to be curbed by the law?
Public Indecency is a sex crime. For it to be punishable, the accused perpetrator must be over 17 years of age, and the activity must have occurred in a public location. There are two aspects to it, including:
The Eighth Amendment: Reasonable Bail and Other Rights
All Americans have certain unalienable rights bestowed upon them by our forefathers, listed in our Bill of Rights. They consist of 10 individual amendments to the Constitution that protect our rights and freedoms. They include our free speech, the right to a fair and just trial, and more. One in particular that exist but is not broadly understood is the Eighth Amendment, the right to reasonable bail.
The Eighth Amendment Understood
Congress passed the Bill of Rights on September 25, 1789, later to be ratified December 15, 1791. The Eighth Amendment says:
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
Without getting into the controversy of the second portion of the Amendment, the first part is straightforward. The amendment prohibits the federal government from imposing unreasonably harsh punishments. This Amendment pertains not only to the ensuing punishment following a conviction but also in the pre-trial detention facility and the cost of bail.
