Matthew David Keenan Law Blog

Students are not the only ones who must watch what they do in cyber world.  Parents in danger of a school residency challenge could inadvertently raise red flags about their residency in their school district through an ill-advised Facebook post.... Read More

In Illinois, fleeing and eluding a police officer can be a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail.  If the offense is aggravated, such as by speeding or injuring someone, you can be charged with a Class 4 Felony, punishable by one to three years.  The State must still prove the elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.... Read More

In Illinois, whether you will be sentenced to jail time depends on the facts of your particular case.  Most misdemeanors provide possible jail sentences, but in practice, few offenders serve time on a first offense.  While the chances of jail increase substantially for felonies and second time misdemeanors, an experienced criminal attorney may help work out a plea agreement with an alternative to jail time.  An attorney can also help determine if you have a winnable trial case wit... Read More

A change in Illinois DUI law requires that law enforcement request chemical testing when they have probable cause to believe that alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in an accident involving severe injury or death.... Read More

Under Illinois law, you can be convicted of drunk driving even if you were not actually driving a vehicle.  Just sleeping off a bender in your car might be enough.  The real issue is whether you were in actual physical control of a vehicle.... Read More

A new Illinois Supreme Court case has toughened the laws against driving under the influence of drugs.  If you cause an accident that kills another person, you may be charged with felony DUI if you have any trace of a controlled substance in your system even if you were not impaired by that substance.... Read More

Pressure on police departments to make DUI arrests can sometimes lead to an arrest even when a driver is well under the legal limit.  If you feel you have been arrested without cause, contact an experienced attorney right away.... Read More

When you are released on bond in Illinois, the court imposes certain conditions.  For example, you may not leave the state without court permission, and you must make all court appearances.  If you break a condition of bond, the court can hold you in jail until your case is over.  If you violate your bond, contact an experienced criminal law attorney to assist you.... Read More

Reckless driving in Illinois can be a kind of catch-all for traffic offenses.  In Illinois, reckless driving is a Class A misdemeanor, defined as driving a vehicle with a willful or wanton disregard for persons or property.  A secondary definition is using an incline such as a hill to cause a car to become airborne.... Read More

In Illinois, a child under the age of 17 violates curfew when he or she lingers or stays in a public place or even a private business during curfew hours. Curfew hours are from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday mornings.  Violating curfew is a petty offense carrying a fine up to $500, and a judge can order the parent to perform community service.  A parent or guardian can also be charged with a curfew violation if they knowingly... Read More