Blog
What you need to know about license revocation & suspension in Illinois
Posted on June 10th, 2016 by Joe Pioletti
People make mistakes every minute of every day. Admittedly, some mistakes are more serious than others. And, all mistakes come with their own set of consequences. Not all of us have made the mistake of driving while impaired, but for those of us who have and who have been caught, it means a lot of […]
What Are My Rights if I Am Accused of a Crime?
Posted on May 2nd, 2016 by Joe Pioletti
When you are arrested, it is because the police have reason to believe that you have committed a crime. But, police officers are human and just as likely to make mistakes as anyone else. When you are accused of a crime, being aware of the rights granted to every criminal defendant by the United States […]
When Can The Police Search Me Without A Warrant?
Posted on April 1st, 2016 by Joe Pioletti
The Fourth Amendment to the constitution states, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the […]
NTSB Urges States to Lower Blood Alcohol Standard for DUI Laws
Posted on March 11th, 2016 by Joe Pioletti
Since being created in 1967, originally as part of the Department of Transportation (since 1975, it’s been a five-member independent agency), the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) has performed many useful functions. First and foremost, it investigates major accidents involving the nation’s roads, rails, airways, waterways, and pipelines. The agency also conducts studies on safety […]
Illinois Sees More Than 200 New Laws Take Effect in 2016
Posted on January 22nd, 2016 by Joe Pioletti
As of January 1, 2016, a total of 237 new laws hit the books thanks to the combined efforts of Illinois lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner. The new laws address a number of subjects that have made headlines in the past year like use of force by police, synthetic drugs, and medical marijuana. Many different […]
The Difference Between a Criminal Case and a Civil Case
Posted on January 11th, 2016 by Joe Pioletti
Criminal cases and civil cases are the two main types of law cases you hear about in your day-to-day lives. You hear them talked about on television, on the radio, and you read about them in print media. But if you are like most people, you probably don’t have a firm grasp on the difference […]
Mortgage Reaffirmation Agreements in Chapter 7
Posted on August 14th, 2015 by Joe Pioletti
Another change that occurred in bankruptcy law with the enactment of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA) was the use of reaffirmation agreements. This is another item that creditors lobbied for heavily because reaffirmation agreements benefit creditors far more than they benefit debtors. A debtor should never enter a reaffirmation […]
Do I Qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Posted on July 27th, 2015 by Joe Pioletti
Do I Qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? The question of whether a person can qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy became an issue in 2005 with the enactment of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA). Creditors lobbied for a Means Test to be added to the Bankruptcy Code as a way of […]
Can I Own A Gun If I Have a Protective Order Against Me?
Posted on July 23rd, 2015 by Joe Pioletti
The Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 establishes severe penalties for anyone convicted of domestic violence. According to domestic violence law, abuse includes both physical and emotional abuse. It is also considered abuse to harass, threaten, or force someone to do something against his or her will. The law is designed to be broad so […]
Can I Use Mouthwash To Avoid a DUI?
Posted on July 21st, 2015 by Don Pioletti
Illinois has some of the toughest DUI laws in the country. Our law enforcement officers diligently look for individuals who are driving under the influence and prosecutors routinely seek aggressive sentences for DUI convictions. Because of the severe penalties for a DUI conviction, drivers should avoid a DUI arrest by choosing not to drive when […]