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Recent Blog Posts
The Long-Term Consequences of a Juvenile DUI Conviction
Although Illinois has zero-tolerance policies regarding underage drinking or drug use and driving, teens and young adults under 21 frequently ignore them. Combined with inexperience, intoxication or impairments caused by drugs significantly increase the risk of teen drivers causing accidents. Being charged with a juvenile DUI can have severe consequences, especially if the underage driver injures or kills someone.
At Fotopoulos Law Office, we believe that these teens deserve a second chance. Your experienced Orland Park, IL criminal defense lawyer will work hard to develop a strong defense strategy designed to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
The Potential Consequences of a Juvenile DUI
Unlike adults, juveniles with even a trace amount of alcohol or drugs in their systems can be charged with driving under the influence. If convicted, the legal consequences in Illinois can be costly and can include:
How Can a Semi’s Black Box Help My IL Truck Accident Claim?
Preliminary data for 2023 report 6,402 truck crashes in Illinois, an average of 17 accidents every day. Truck collisions frequently produce significant property damage and catastrophic injuries, some resulting in fatalities. If you are injured in a truck accident, you may be eligible for compensation, but you need evidence proving the truck caused your crash.
What is a truck’s black box? How can black box data support my accident claim? Your knowledgeable lawyer from Fotopoulos Law Office can answer those and other questions during your free consultation, but it is important to call as soon as possible after your collision.
What Is a Truck’s Black Box?
Officially called an event data recorder, most commercial trucks have a black box installed. Similar to mandatory electronic logging devices that track a driver’s hours of service, EDRs record various data about the truck’s and driver’s behaviors surrounding an event, such as a crash. Data recorded by an EDR includes:
My Son Was Arrested in Illinois: What Are the Consequences?
As parents, we want the best for our children, nurturing and guiding them from an early age. No parent wants to get a call from the police that their child has been arrested and charged with a crime, but some do.
If your child is arrested, what consequences could he face? Could he be tried as an adult? Do you need a juvenile crimes attorney? An experienced lawyer from Fotopoulos Law Office can investigate his charges and develop a strong criminal defense strategy to achieve the most favorable possible resolution to his case. Call today to schedule your free consultation.
What Factors Can Affect My Son’s Case?
If arrested, your son will face a misdemeanor or felony charge, depending on the nature of the alleged crime. His age, previous criminal behaviors, mental capacity and maturity level, and the type of offense can determine whether he is charged as a minor or an adult. Common juvenile offenses in Chicagoland include:
Is Getting Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries Difficult?
Injury accidents happen every day in Illinois. These injuries may be minor, with the victim able to recover over time with appropriate medical care. On the other hand, catastrophic injuries are more severe, typically leaving victims in life-altering circumstances. Although many of these victims can obtain compensation, it is often an uphill battle to get a reasonable amount that covers all applicable losses.
Insurance companies do not like paying claims. The higher your damages, the more likely it is that these insurers will fight their obligation to pay you. Our experienced personal injury lawyer at Fotopoulos Law Office will aggressively defend your best interests, working to help you obtain a favorable settlement.
What Are Catastrophic Injuries?
Although no injury is good, some severe injuries can have permanent negative effects on your life. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
Overview of Illinois Gun Laws
It can be difficult trying to understand the laws about gun ownership, particularly because they differ from state to state. States have different restrictions on who is allowed to own a gun, what specific guns they can own, and under what circumstances. This article will review gun ownership laws in Illinois. Of course, if you have specific questions that are not addressed in this article, a knowledgeable Will County, IL criminal defense attorney can provide you with the information you need.
What Is a FOID?
Anyone who wants to purchase and own a gun in Illinois must have a Firearm Owner’s Identification card or a FOID. Without an FOID, you are not legally allowed to purchase or use a gun in the state, although there are some exceptions. Legal gun ownership in Illinois requires that you meet various conditions, including that you need to:
Johnson & Johnson Pays a $700 Million Product Liability Settlement
An investigation into claims that Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products, including its popular baby powder line, might cause cancer, the multinational company has agreed to pay a $700 million settlement. The products in question had been sold for over a century, but the investigation was a result of significant complaints that contrary to the company’s statements and marketing over the years, the products were not safe for consumption, the company was aware of the dangers, and purposely hid this information from the public while continuing to market the products. While the company didn’t confess to any wrongdoing and maintained that all its products were safe to use it did agree to pay out this enormous settlement. If you have used this or another product and you are concerned you might have been harmed, contact an experienced Will County, IL product liability lawyer who can explain your options.
What Are Product Liability Cases?
There is an entire category of law known as personal injury, which generally covers damages people suffer as a result of someone else’s negligence. A major subcategory of personal injury law is product liability. In these cases, the plaintiff does not need to prove that the other person or party was negligent but instead that the defendant sold a product that posed an unreasonable danger to the public.
Is a Misdemeanor Charge Always Stuck With You?
When facing a misdemeanor charge, one of the most common concerns is whether the charge will remain on your record permanently. This is a particularly pressing issue for those charged with domestic violence misdemeanors, as these charges can have far-reaching consequences. An Illinois lawyer can help you determine the potential long-term impact of misdemeanor charges and discuss options for moving forward.
What to Know About Misdemeanor Charges in Illinois
Misdemeanors are crimes that carry a potential sentence of less than one year in jail. These charges are less severe than felonies but can still result in significant penalties. Domestic violence misdemeanors, such as domestic battery or violation of an order of protection, are taken seriously by the courts and can lead to jail time, fines, and mandatory counseling.
What to Do When Injured on Public Transportation
Public transportation is a convenient and cost-effective way to travel, whether commuting to work or exploring the city. However, public transportation accidents involving buses or trains can occur, leaving you with serious injuries and mounting medical expenses. An Illinois lawyer can help you understand your rights and the steps you should take.
Seek Medical Attention
If you sustain an injury in a public transportation accident, seek medical attention immediately. Even if your injuries seem minor, have a medical professional evaluate your condition. Some injuries, such as concussions or internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent. Prompt medical care ensures your well-being and creates a record of your injuries, which can be valuable evidence in a potential legal case.
Report the Accident
Notify the driver, conductor, or another official representative of the public transportation company about the accident as soon as possible. Get a copy of the accident report, which should include details such as the date, time, location, and a brief description of the incident. Gather their names and contact information if there are witnesses, as their testimony may be crucial in supporting your claim.
How to Handle Assault and Battery Charges in Illinois
Facing assault or battery charges is a serious matter that requires legal representation. These charges can carry severe penalties, including fines and potential jail time, depending on the circumstances of the case. If you find yourself in this situation, it is crucial to understand your rights and take the appropriate steps to protect your interests. An Illinois lawyer can help you build your case so you can potentially achieve the best outcome possible.
Understanding the Charges
In Illinois, assault and battery are distinct but related offenses. Assault is defined as an intentional act that causes a reasonable apprehension of imminent physical harm or offensive contact. Battery, on the other hand, involves the actual infliction of bodily harm or offensive physical contact without legal justification.
Fault in Pedestrian Accidents at College Crossings
Pedestrian accidents near college campuses are unfortunately common. With so many students walking to class, crossing busy streets, and drivers who may be distracted or even impaired, collisions occur frequently. When a driver hits a pedestrian at a college crossing or intersection, the issue of legal fault often arises. An Illinois personal injury lawyer can help you prove fault.
Driver Negligence
Drivers have a duty to pedestrians to operate their vehicles carefully and avoid distractions. If a driver fails to yield when they should have, speeds through crosswalks, or is provably distracted or intoxicated, they may face criminal charges like reckless driving or aggravated DUI. Drivers can also be civilly liable for injuries they cause by negligence.
Factors like poor visibility, sun glare, or bad weather do not relieve a motorist’s duty to pedestrians. Drivers must adapt their driving to conditions to prevent accidents. Violations of traffic laws like speed limits, ignoring traffic signals or signs, and failure to yield commonly establish driver negligence in court.
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