Blog
Drivers Hang onto License After Ticket
Posted on August 21st, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
People will be happy to know that effective January 1st 2015 drivers who are ticketed in Illinois for a petty traffic offense will be able to retain their driver’s license before the ticket is paid. Prior to this drivers were forced to turn over their license as security that they would pay the ticket.
US Regulator Takes Aim at Debt Collectors
Posted on August 6th, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
The Wall Street Journal recently released a story that the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPD, is taking aim at a large debt collection law firm. The CFPD is a segment of the Executive Branch of the US government who is charged with enforcing federal consumer financial laws. The recent law suit filed by […]
Law Would Allow Speed Cameras State-Wide
Posted on June 3rd, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
Automated traffic enforcement cameras used to enforce speed limits may be coming to a community near you very soon. Currently, Illinois law allows for speed cameras in Chicago only. However, new proposed legislation would allow for statewide use. The bill, known as HB 4632, is currently before the Illinois House of Representatives. The bill’s intent […]
Illegal Downloading: A Far From Covert Crime
Posted on March 23rd, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
It all seems so easy. Movies, music and even computer software is out there in the cyber world, free, seemingly at your fingertips. For some, downloading illegal copyrighted material is justified by their at times exorbitant prices. But in the end, it could cost you a lot of money. While one can find and download […]
The New Concealed Carry Law in Illinois
Posted on January 27th, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
In 2013 Illinois became the final state in the country to authorize some form of concealed carry of a firearm. Effective January 5th 2014, people 21 years of age who have completed the required 16 hours of training can begin applying for a permit. As recently as early January 2014 the wording of the new […]
Even Judges Have Trouble Keeping their Cellphones Silent in the Courtroom
Posted on October 10th, 2013 by Joe Pioletti
Having your cellphone ring during court is a major no-no. Many courthouses now flatly prohibit the public from bringing their cellphones in courthouses for fear of them going off. For those of us who have had our cellphones ring at inopportune times, it may make you feel good to know that even judges struggle with […]
New US Supreme Court Decision Gives States the Green Light to Take DNA Samples Upon Arrest
Posted on June 12th, 2013 by Joe Pioletti
In a recent decision, a divided US Supreme Court voted 5-4 to uphold a Maryland law allowing authorities to take DNA samples from people who have been arrested. In doing so the justices rejected the claim that taking a mouth swab from a suspect’s mouth constituted an “unreasonable search” under the 4th amendment of the […]