There are both state and federal laws surrounding drugs. If you’re charged with a drug-related crime, how do you know whether your case will be tried in state or federal court? What’s the difference between these two systems?Generally, a drug crime will be...
Month: April 2018
Supreme Court ruling sets limits on deportable crimes
If you're convicted of a crime in the U.S., you'll likely face jail time. However, if you're a non-U.S. citizen convicted of that same crime, you could be sent back to your home country.The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is a piece of federal legislation which...
What happens to my immigration status if I plead guilty?
If you’re an immigrant in the United States and are charged with a crime, it’s particularly important to understand how your actions following your arrest could affect your immigration status. Legal advice that applies to a U.S. citizen may not serve your...
Are children’s Miranda rights sufficiently protected in Illinois?
One evening in southern Illinois, a 17-year-old boy named Anthony sat at home. Suddenly, the police arrived, arresting Anthony in front of his family—without explaining why. Anthony has an IQ of 60—which places his cognition on par with a nine year old....
Can the police use drug-sniffing dogs at a traffic stop?
You're driving down the road, on your way to work, when you get pulled over for failing to signal a lane change. The police officer approaches your vehicle, asks for your driver's license and vehicle registration and runs a background check. So far, this process is...