Although people frequently think of “burglars” as people who break into houses and steal things, Illinois considers any form of breaking and entering to be burglary whether or not anything was actually stolen. As long as the prosecution can determine that an alleged burglary intended to commit the crime of theft or another felony crime, breaking and entering is considered a felony.

Additionally, breaking and entering can take place in other buildings and facilities besides homes; public buildings like schools and government offices, storage sheds, RVs or other trailers, and even aircraft can be burgled. If you have been charged with burglary in Illinois, it is important to understand the law and hire an experienced criminal defense attorney.

What Is Burglary?

Under Illinois law, burglary charges can be filed against an alleged offender who knowingly, and without permission, entered the property of another person intending to steal something or to commit another felony crime. No locks have to be broken for the charge of burglary to apply. The seriousness of the charges and consequences will depend on what exactly happened during the burglary. These charges, and when they apply, include:

It is a well-known fact that colleges and universities are often hotbeds of reckless underage drinking. More than half of college students admit to riding in a car knowing the driver was under the influence, and college-age students represent an outsized share of drunk driving accidents.

Because of the inherent dangers of driving while drunk, Illinois takes driving under the influence (DUI) charges very seriously. At any age, getting hit with a DUI has expensive and long-lasting consequences, but the penalties faced by underage college students can be particularly damaging to a young adult’s future.

What Is a Zero-Tolerance Law?

Illinois law states that a minor who has even the smallest amount of detectable alcohol in their system while driving can be charged with an underage DUI and have their driver’s license suspended for three months to a year.

Illinois criminal law divides criminal conduct into two main categories: Crimes against property and crimes against a person. If a thief broke into a home and stole money, but nobody else was home, then the thief committed an offense against property. However, if the same thief confronted someone on the street with a gun and stole their wallet, the crime is robbery and is considered an offense against a person. 

Assault and battery are both offenses against a person. Because assault and battery are often discussed in the same context, many people believe they always happen together or are the same crime. However, assault and battery are two distinct legal offenses that describe different behaviors and carry different penalties. 

What is Battery?

The crime of battery is committed when one person, without legal authority or justification, intentionally causes bodily harm to another person or makes physical contact in a way that insults or provokes the victim. Serious physical harm does not have to take place in order for someone to be successfully prosecuted with battery. A single slap, punch, or even finger poke in the chest could be considered battery. 

In an ideal world, every parent would easily be able to find the perfect balance of work and family life. In reality, however, when couples decide to have children, they must make difficult decisions about paying for childcare and earning a liveable income. Many times, couples decide that one parent will stay home to care for the children while the other parent pursues a career. 

This arrangement has its benefits and drawbacks. One potential downside is that it leaves the homemaking parent with little or no personal income. If the relationship sours and the homemaker contemplates divorce, he or she may feel trapped, unable to afford the legal representation they need, and worried about future finances. However, Illinois recognizes the important contributions homemakers make to their family and society. In addition to child support, the law offers protection by providing for several kinds of spousal maintenance (formerly known as alimony).

Types of Spousal Maintenance Available to Homemakers

• Temporary maintenance is a type of spousal maintenance that is awarded during the divorce proceedings. Spouses who need this kind of support may petition the court for temporary maintenance at the same time as they file for divorce, or they may do so after the initial filing. If awarded, this kind of maintenance helps homemakers afford divorce proceedings and avoid financial disaster during the divorce.

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Illinois is known for its attention to the juvenile justice system. It was the first state in the country to create a separate justice system for those under the age of majority. This has been extremely important, as the juvenile court system often serves as a means for rehabilitating young people who are on the wrong path. This is different from adult criminal court in that there is a belief that children have more of an opportunity for change. However, there are still some instances in which a juvenile may be tried in adult criminal court. If you or a loved one were charged with a criminal offense in Illinois, it is important to understand what you may be up against. 

Juveniles Facing Charges in Adult Criminal Court

It’s important to note that there is never a time when a juvenile is required to be transferred to adult criminal court.

Juveniles who are over 13 years of age can only be transferred to adult criminal court if the prosecution can demonstrate that doing so would be in the best interest of the juvenile or of public safety as a whole. When coming to this determination, there are a variety of factors that the judge may consider: