Author Archives: lorilevin

Author Archives: lorilevin

Moderating Continuing Legal Ed Program on Criminal Law

Today, I will moderate an all-day continuing education program on “Criminal Law: Back to Basics.” The Illinois State Bar Association seminar will feature such topics such as case law and legislative updates, pre-trial motions, jury selection, guilty pleas and hearsay and constitutional issues. As I have stated elsewhere on this blog, continuing legal education is […]

Proposal to lower blood alcohol limits and driving under the influence

Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended that the nation move towards zero tolerance with respect to drinking and driving. The NTSB made numerous recommendations including reducing the acceptable level of blood alcohol concentration from 0.8 for adults over 21 years to 0.5. (Zero tolerance is in effect with respect to lower BAC levels […]

Illinois Chief Justice issues reminder that court orders determining a person to have mental health problems must be forwarded to Illinois State Police for weapon background checks

This post is a follow-up on an earlier one regarding the Illinois State Auditor General’s report on the limited adherence of counties statewide to report mental health findings to the Illinois State Police for its background checks for Firearm Owner’s Identification Cards. That post may be found at /2/post/2012/05/illinois-auditor-general-releases-report-on-effectiveness-of-illinois-firearms-owners-identification-card-act.html. The Auditor General’s report indicated that […]

New Department of Justice report refutes perception that firearm violence has increased

This week, the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics released a report on “Firearm Violence, 1993-2001,” https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/fv9311.pdf, which seemingly refutes the public’s perception regarding firearm violence. The report indicated that both firearm related homicides and non-fatal firearm crimes are significantly down during the time period examined. The report was primarily based on the Bureau […]

Appointments

This week, I was notified that I have been reappointed to the Illinois State Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Continuing Legal Education, Standing Committee on Women and the Law and the Criminal Justice Section Council. I have been a long-time member of these committees and council and am completing a two-year appointment as Chair of […]

Chairing last meeting as Illinois State Bar Association’s Chair of Standing Committee for Continuing Legal Education

This morning, I will chair the Illinois State Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Continuing Legal Education’s spring meeting. For two years, it has been my pleasure to serve in this position. The Illinois State Bar Association is one of the premier providers of continuing legal education. During my tenure as chair, the CLE committee has […]

Purported court closing due to inclement weather

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin has posted that all court proceedings have been cancelled today in the Second Municipal District of the Circuit Court of Cook County due to flooding. As of this posting, the Circuit Court’s website does not mention any closings. Should you have a case scheduled for the Skokie courthouse, please contact […]

The United States Supreme Court issues decision on warrantless blood draw in DUI case

Today, the United States Supreme Court, in Missouri V. McNeely, 569 U.S. __ (No. 11-1425)(2013), ruled that absent exigent circumstances, police officers must request search warrants to forcibly draw blood from persons who they have probable cause to believe have been driving under the influence of alcohol. The Court rejected a request for a per […]

Attending ISBA Criminal Justice Section Council Meeting

This morning I will attend the Illinois State Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section Council meeting. Participating in bar association councils and committees allows this firm to stay current on criminal justice issues as well as pending legislation. As a chair of other bar committees and former bar association president and leader, I have helped influence […]

Cell phone ban to go into effect at 26th and California

Yesterday, Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced that on Monday, April 15, no electronic communications and internet devices will be allowed at the felony courthouse at 26th and California. The ban was initially announced earlier this year but enforcement was postponed. The Court indicated that the ban will be extended […]

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