Under 720 ILCS 5/12-3, battery means knowingly hurting someone or touching them in an insulting or offensive way without a legal reason. Every word in that definition matters. The prosecution has to prove each part of it beyond a reasonable doubt. If they cannot do that, the case should not move forward.]]> Violent Crimes 2026-05-26 00:00:00 https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/am-i-going-to-be-convicted-of-dui-if-i-failed-a-field-sobriety-test https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/am-i-going-to-be-convicted-of-dui-if-i-failed-a-field-sobriety-test A failed field sobriety test is not a guaranteed DUI conviction. These roadside exercises are far from foolproof, and courts recognize that. Officers are trained to look for specific signs of impairment, but what they observe can be influenced by factors that have nothing to do with alcohol or drugs. The results are not scientific measurements. They are one officer's interpretation of how you performed under pressure, and that interpretation can be challenged. If you are facing a DUI charge after failing field sobriety tests in 2026, a Chicago DUI defense lawyer can take a hard look at what actually happened during your stop and start building a defense based on the real facts of your case.

How Is a Field Sobriety Test Used in Illinois DUI Cases?

When a police officer suspects a driver may be impaired, they often ask that driver to perform a series of roadside exercises before making an arrest. The first tracks involuntary eye movement as the driver follows a moving object with their eyes. The second asks the driver to walk heel to toe in a straight line, turn around, and walk back. The third requires the driver to lift one foot off the ground and hold it there for a set period of time without losing balance. Officers use the results of these tests to justify making a DUI arrest.]]> DUI/DWI 2026-05-11 00:00:00 https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/can-you-be-charged-in-il-for-images-stored-on-your-phone-or-cloud https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/can-you-be-charged-in-il-for-images-stored-on-your-phone-or-cloud You can be charged in Illinois for images stored on your phone or in cloud storage. Where the images are saved does not matter as much as what they contain and whether you had control over them. This often comes up in cases related to sex crimes like child pornography.

If law enforcement gets a warrant and finds illegal images on your device or linked to your accounts, those images can lead to criminal charges, whether they were saved on your phone or stored online. If you’ve been charged with a crime or think you may be under investigation in 2026, a Cook County, IL criminal defense lawyer can help.

How Does Illinois Law Treat Digitally Stored Images as Evidence?

Illinois law does not draw a meaningful line between images saved on a physical device and images saved in the cloud. What matters in a criminal case is whether you possessed, controlled, or had access to the images.]]> Sex Crimes 2026-04-24 00:00:00 https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/what-does-it-mean-to-be-an-accomplice-to-murder-in-illinois https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/what-does-it-mean-to-be-an-accomplice-to-murder-in-illinois Being an accomplice to murder in Illinois means you can be charged with and convicted of murder even if you did not pull the trigger or directly cause anyone's death. Under 720 ILCS 5/5-2, Illinois law holds a person legally accountable for the conduct of another when they aid, agree to aid, or attempt to aid in the planning or commission of an offense with the intent to promote or facilitate it. This is known as accountability, and it is one of the most serious and far-reaching aspects of Illinois criminal law. If you are facing a murder charge in 2026 based on your connection to someone else's actions, our Chicago, IL murder defense lawyer can help.

What Is Illinois' Accountability Law and How Does It Apply to Murder?

Illinois does not use the traditional term "accomplice liability" in its statutes. Instead, the state uses the concept of accountability. What makes the law especially powerful is the common design rule. Under this rule, when two or more people engage in a common criminal plan, any act done by one person to carry out that plan is considered the act of everyone involved. All of them can be held equally responsible for the consequences.]]> Violent Crimes 2026-04-12 00:00:00 https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/what-defenses-apply-to-predatory-criminal-sexual-assault-charges https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/what-defenses-apply-to-predatory-criminal-sexual-assault-charges Predatory criminal sexual assault is one of the most serious charges a person can face in Illinois. However, being charged does not mean you’ve been convicted. The prosecution still has to prove every element of the case beyond a reasonable doubt. There are real defenses that may apply depending on the facts of your situation. Our Cook County, IL sex crimes defense lawyers are here to help you understand what you are up against and your legal options for fighting it.

What Is Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault Under Illinois Law?

Predatory criminal sexual assault of a child is defined under 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40. The law says a person commits this offense if they are 17 years old or older and commit an act of sexual penetration with a child who is 12 years old or younger. Under Illinois law, sexual penetration is defined broadly and can include even minimal physical contact of a sexual nature.]]> Sex Crimes 2026-03-24 00:00:00 https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/what-should-you-do-if-you-are-under-investigation-for-a-drug-crime-in-illinois https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/what-should-you-do-if-you-are-under-investigation-for-a-drug-crime-in-illinois A drug crime investigation can upend your life before a single charge is ever filed. You may not even know the full extent of what law enforcement is looking at, but you know something is wrong. The steps you take right now can make a significant difference in how things unfold.

If you are facing a drug-related charge in 2026, our Chicago, IL drug crimes defense lawyer can help you protect your rights from the moment you learn you're being investigated.

What Does It Mean To Be Under Investigation for a Drug Crime?

Being under investigation means law enforcement is gathering information about you. They may be watching you, interviewing people you know, reviewing your phone records, or preparing to execute a search warrant. You may hear about it through a friend, a knock at your door, or a subpoena.]]> Drug Crimes 2026-03-14 00:00:00 https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/what-is-aggravated-unlawful-possession-of-a-weapon-in-illinois https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/what-is-aggravated-unlawful-possession-of-a-weapon-in-illinois Aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon (AUPW) is a felony weapons charge in Illinois. It usually involves carrying or possessing a firearm illegally. This includes violating state rules like not having the required firearm identification or carrying a gun in a prohibited manner.

If you are facing gun crime charges in 2026, our Cook County, IL gun crimes defense lawyer can explain what you are charged with, what the state must prove, and how to fight the case.

How Does Illinois Law Define Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon?

Under 720 ILCS 5/24-1.6, AUPW applies to situations where someone knowingly carries or possesses a firearm under conditions Illinois treats as especially risky or unlawful. In plain terms, the charge often comes down to how the gun was carried, whether it was accessible, and whether the person had the required legal authorization.]]> Criminal Defense 2026-02-28 00:00:00 https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/what-do-i-do-if-i-ve-been-falsely-accused-of-sexual-assault https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/what-do-i-do-if-i-ve-been-falsely-accused-of-sexual-assault Being falsely accused of a sex crime can be overwhelming and frightening, especially when the accusation does not reflect what you believe actually happened. Even an investigation can feel invasive and life-altering.

If you are facing accusations, it is important to understand your rights and what steps can help protect you. Our Chicago, IL sexual assault defense lawyer can provide guidance, answer your questions, and support you through this difficult and uncertain time.

What Should I Do Right After Learning About a Sexual Assault Accusation?

Even though emotions may be running high, slowing down and protecting yourself is important. After a sexual assault allegation, many people choose to:

Avoid contacting the person who made the allegation.

Refrain from discussing the situation on social media or with acquaintances.]]> Sex Crimes 2026-02-11 00:00:00 https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/how-do-plea-bargains-work-in-illinois-homicide-cases https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/how-do-plea-bargains-work-in-illinois-homicide-cases Plea bargains are a common part of how homicide cases are resolved in Illinois in 2026. A recent analysis published by Judicature, a legal journal from Duke University, explains that more than 90 percent of criminal cases in the United States are resolved through plea bargains rather than trials, including very serious felony cases.

This means that even murder and homicide charges are often resolved through negotiation instead of a jury verdict. If you are facing these charges, a Cook County, IL murder defense lawyer can help you understand how plea bargaining may affect your case.

What Is a Plea Bargain in an Illinois Homicide Case?

A plea bargain is an agreement where the accused agrees to plead guilty in exchange for something from the prosecution. In homicide cases, this often involves reduced charges or a lower sentencing recommendation.]]> Criminal Defense 2026-01-28 00:00:00 https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/criminal-cases-and-social-media https://www.diquattrolawoffices.com/blog/criminal-cases-and-social-media Criminal cases and social media often collide in ways people do not expect. In a 2025 report, the Pew Research Center found that 84 percent of adults in the United States use YouTube and 71 percent use Facebook, showing how deeply social media is woven into daily life.

As of 2026, Illinois prosecutors routinely review social media activity as part of criminal investigations, even in cases that do not initially involve online conduct. When someone is facing criminal charges, constant online activity can quickly turn into evidence. The reality is that social media posts can be used against you, even when they seem harmless, private, or unrelated to a case.

If you are under investigation or have already been charged, our Chicago, IL criminal defense lawyer can offer crucial guidance.]]> Criminal Defense 2026-01-12 00:00:00