W. Scott Hanken's Guides

Illinois- Supreme Court considering allowing juror's to ask questions at trial

An Illinois Supreme Court committee is taking comments on a proposal initiated by a Springfield attorney to allow jurors to question witnesses in civil trials. There is no rule now that prohibits judges from allowing jurors to ask questions, but there also is no rule that spe...

Illinois Small Claims Court -Things to know

Small Claims Court Does someone owe you money? Has your landlord failed to return your security deposit even though you did not damage the rental property? Did you pay for merchandise, but the store never delivered it and won't give you a refund? You may want to consider brin...

Illinois Eavesdropping Statute - your "smart" phone can get you 4-15 if you record an officer

It's late at night and you get pulled over by the police. You think you have done nothing wrong so to capture your side of the story you activate the audio or video recorder on your smart phone to record your interaction with the Police officer. You have just turned a routine tra...

Illinois - Quick Tips on How to Defend against an Order of Protection

A protective order is a civil order that severely restricts or prevents a defendant or defendants from having contact with a plaintiff. Protective orders typically are filed when there is a threat or act of domestic violence. Having a protective order filed against you can ha...

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Illinois Issues for under 21 Drivers

Permit Phase Drivers Age 15 Parent/guardian consent required to obtain an instruction permit. Must be enrolled in an approved driver education course, and must pass vision and written exams. A nighttime driving restriction is in place Sunday-Thursday, 10 p.m-6 a.m., and Friday...

Retail Theft - The Implications of The NMRA Retail Theft Database

If you have been prosecuted for retail theft or theft from a retailer in the course of your employment or in many cases just arrested or charged the Retail Theft Database can substantially impact your ability to secure employment. The database was created and is marketed to Retai...

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Illinois - 2011 DUI Sentencing Guidelines

2011 Illinois DUI Sentencing Guide First Offense Class A Misdemeanor Court Supervision up to 2 years DUI Tech Fee $750.00 (P.A. Act 96-1342 eff. 1-1-11) $50.00 Roadside Memorial Fund Fee (730 ILCS 5/5-9-1.17) Fines of $0-$2,500.00 BAC .16 or greater Mandatory 100 hours com...

2011 Illinois - New Traffic and DUI Law changes

New Illinois Traffic and DUI Laws in 2011 P.A. 96-1165 (effective July 22, 2010) Stop for Pedestrian Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that where traffic signals are not in place, vehicles must stop and yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk rather than yielding the r...

Illinois Traffic Tickets and the necessity of Court Supervision

The impact of Traffic Tickets in Illinois With each passing year, the Illinois Legislature and Secretary of State find new and ingenious ways of adding to the burdens oN motorists and implementing new law after new law that can seriously jeopardize your driving privileges. If th...

Illinois Shoplifting/Retail Theft Issues

Retail Theft Shoplifting Shoplifting is a serious crime in Illinois and the law imposes harsh penalties on anyone who is caught stealing from a store. The statute in Illinois governing the criminal offense of retail theft is 720 ILCS 5/16A-13. Taking Items Without Paying The ...

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