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Recent Blog Posts
New location
I am pleased to announce that the firm has relocated to 180 North LaSalle, Suite 3700, Chicago. The new offices are conveniently located across the street from the Thompson Center, a transportation hub. The new location will better service clients.
More on human trafficking and women offenders
The international human trafficking problem continues to explode, as these statistics illustrate: https://slatest.slate.com/posts/2011/06/27/us_state_department_human_trafficking_report_2011_us_state_depar.html. Although the article states that the United States is holding to its baseline, that goal is little comfort to the women and girls who are enmeshed in the system. As I have previously indicated, the excellent research staff of the Illinois Criminal […]
United States Supreme Court expands protections for juveniles who are interrogated
Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court that a minor’s age is an important factor to be considered in a court’s determination whether he should have been advised of his Miranda rights prior to being interrogated. In J.D.B. v. North Carolina, 564 U.S.—, (Slip op. 09-11121 (2011), https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/10pdf/09-11121.pdf, a divided court ruled on the importance of […]
More resources for the interface of mental illness and the criminal justice system
I am so very pleased that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is continuing to provide resources to help mentally ill persons who are involved in the criminal justice system. This time, the Authority will be giving a grant to the Rockford, Illinois area to ensure best practices. https://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=1&RecNum=9463
The interface of mental health issues within the criminal justice system
For more than 30 years, the justice system has criminalized mentally ill persons in crisis. Budgets for social services have been drastically cut and long-term hospitalization is not available nor generally appropriate. Many mentally ill persons who may act out when ceasing voluntary treatment are enmeshed in the criminal justice system. The Cook County Department […]
Women Offenders and Entry into the Criminal Justice System by Being Victimized
The vast majority of women offenders enter the criminal justice system after being victimized. This is a fact that I learned as the former Co-Chair of the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section’s Women in the Criminal Justice Community Committee and as the former Executive Director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. When I […]
The Illinois Supreme Court on a warrantless search of a probationer’s home
On May 19, 2011, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that a probationer’s who prospectively agree to searches of his home while on probation may not then challenge the legal basis for such a search where contraband is seized. In People of the State of Illinois v. Samuel Absher (Opinion 108441), the Court ruled that when […]
At what age is someone considered a juvenile?
The answer to that question depends on the offense. In general, persons charged with misdemeanors in Illinois are juveniles until the age of 18 and those charged with felonies until the age of 17. However, and it is a big however, 15 and 16 year olds facing certain felony charges are automatically charged as adults […]
Search warrant
Recently I answered a question on another website regarding a search warrant which was executed at a home. Computers, a magazine and other materials were taken by law enforcement who were searching for child pornography. The person posing the question was concerned that two months had passed, the computers had not been returned and the […]
The United States Supreme Court on Warrantless Searches
Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court expanded the ability for the police to enter and search homes without warrants. In Kentucky v. King, No. 09-1272 , found at https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/10pdf/09-1272.pdf, the Court upheld a warrantless search of an apartment where the police smelled marijuana and believed that evidence was being destroyed inside. Although the United States […]