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United States Supreme Court Rules Taking a Drug-Sniffing Dog onto a House Porch is Impermissible Search
Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Florida v. Jardines, 569 U.S. _ (No. 11-564) (2013), that taking a drug-sniffing dog on a private person’s porch was a violation of the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution as it was an impermissible search unsupported by probable cause. In Jardines, the Miami-Dade Police Department […]
Justice Department Report on Background Checks for Firearm Transfers
The Bureau of Justice Statistics of the United States Department of Justice recently published a report “Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2010-Statistical Tables,” which can be found at https://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/bcft10st.pdf. The report analyzes the data of the 118 million applications for firearm transfers or permits that have been subject to background checks since the Brandy Handgun […]
Casimir Pulaski Day
Today, the Circuit Court of Cook County is closed in celebration of Casimir Pulaski Day. Most, if not all, of the collar county courthouses are open. Lori G. Levin Attorney at Law 180 N. LaSalle, Suite 3700 Chicago, IL 60601 [email protected] www.lorilevinlaw.com
Wells Street bridge construction
Please be aware that construction on the Wells Street bridge is impacting other downtown streets. Yesterday, when I went to the office, Lake Street west of Wells and Wells south of Wacker were closed. For approximately the next two weeks, please allow for extra travel time for your office appointments. Lori G. Levin Attorney at […]
Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Report on A Residential Program for Sex Trafficking Victims
As the former Executive Director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, I continue to post links on this blog to the wonderful work of that state agency’s staff. Today, ICJIA released a Research Bulletin on “Anne’s House: A Residential Program for Trafficking Victims,” which can be found at https://www.icjia.state.il.us/public/pdf/Bulletins/Annes%20House_022013.pdf While executive director at the […]
Presidents’ Day
Today is a court holiday, President’s Day. Although I will be available by telephone, I am taking advantage of the holiday by Chairing the Illinois State Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Continuing Legal Education, attending an Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers continuing legal education program and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois’ Past Presidents’ […]
Illinois Supreme Court Finds Probable Cause for Drug Arrest for Yelling of One Word
Previously I posted about an Illinois appellate court case that upheld probable cause to arrest someone for soliciting unlawful business on a public way under the Chicago Municipal Code, /2/category/probable%20cause/1.html. In that case, People v. Neal (No. 1-09-2814) https://www.state.il.us/court/Opinions/AppellateCourt/2011/1stDistrict/June/1092814.pdf, the First District upheld a search which resulted in an arrest for possession of heroin. Last […]
Cook County Sheriff to Institute New Jail Visitation Rules
The Cook County Sheriff has announced that his office will soon implement new procedures for persons wishing to visit persons in the Cook County Department of Corrections. The sheriff’s inmate locator site posted that announcement at https://www2.cookcountysheriff.org/search2/. Persons seeking to visit inmates will need to complete a form which must be presented in person or […]
Undocumented Illinois residents to be allowed driving privileges
As previously reported in this blog, /2/post/2013/01/legislative-measure-to-allow-undocumented-immigrants-driving-privileges-in-illinois.html, during the last legislative session, the Illinois General Assembly passed Senate Bill 957, allowing undocumented residents the privilege to drive legally. On Sunday, Governor Pat Quinn signed the measure into law. Undocumented persons who meet certain criteria will be allowed to legally drive in Illinois starting October 1. […]
Drug problems and drug arrests can happen to persons of all walks of life
So often, I am contacted by parents of young people who have been arrested for drug offenses. As today’s Chicago Tribune reports, https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/wilmette_kenilworth/ct-tl-wilmette-heroin-forum-20130128,0,7810981.story, even young people who have been privileged to receive great advantages may succumb to the temptation of hard drugs such as heroin. When that happens, many face the criminal justice system. Having […]