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Chicagoland Law Blog

What happens if you don't pay your parking ticket?

On behalf of Mockaitis Law posted in criminal defense on Thursday, April 12, 2018.

In Illinois, when you get a parking ticket, you're expected to pay it within a certain amount of time. It can be a pain to deal with, especially when you weren't counting on additional expenses. But more importantly, it can have a serious effect on you if you don't pay it off.

The City of Chicago's official site points out that there are penalties for not paying off your parking ticket on time. Though the collection rates can differ from city to city, a typical rule of thumb is that a ticket's cost will go up every time you miss the deadline. In Chicago, the ticket price will double. This can be a huge detriment to some people when most parking tickets already start off at $75 for the base offense. Additionally, the city you live in may impose a collection fee if you continue missing your payment due dates. This fee can run up to 22 percent.

Basics of the field sobriety tests

On behalf of Mockaitis Law posted in dui defense on Monday, April 2, 2018.

You may have wondered what really happens when a person who has been pulled over by police is suspected of drunk driving. One of the things officers generally do is request that the driver complete certain tasks. Known as field sobriety tests, these tasks are part of a standard drunk driving investigation. 

FieldSobrietyTests.org indicates that there are three such tests standardized for use by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The goal of the tests is to provide support for arresting a person, not to conclusively prove that they are actually drunk. The test with the highest accuracy rate, which is still only 77 percent, measures an involuntary jerking of a person's eyeball. The remaining two tests each evaluate a person's ability to process more than one action at a time.

Why is estate planning so important?

On behalf of Mockaitis Law posted in estate and probate administration on Friday, March 16, 2018.

Many people in the Oswego area work hard to provide for their families and build a legacy they can pass on to them when they die. They spend so much time acquiring their wealth that they fail to take measures to protect it upon their death. According to the AARP, the percentage of individuals who have estate plans is 40. 

Estate planning is something everyone can benefit from. Regardless of the number of assets or the amount of wealth they have, it is important to have estate plans in place to protect them. Some people believe they can tell their relatives what they want to happen to their estates when they die. The problem is there is no way to enforce verbal agreements in death. Estate plans are legal documents that are binding and enforceable. 

Is it possible for DUI tests to be wrong?

On behalf of Mockaitis Law posted in dui defense on Friday, March 2, 2018.

Illinois residents like you who are accused of drinking and driving have a lot to lose if you're convicted. For that reason, it's important to understand the situation you're in and the ways you may be able to get out of it. Examining the supposed condemning evidence is a good place to start.

First of all, breathalyzer tests can actually get false positives and be incorrect. ABC News states that breath analyzing tests are very sensitive, which can cause common items to make it seem like you're over the legal limit when you aren't. Anything containing alcohol that gets absorbed into the lining of the mouth can be a trigger. This includes:

  • Breath sprays
  • Mouth wash
  • Cough syrup
  • Cold medicine
  • Medicated lip products

Did police have probable cause to arrest you for DUI?

On behalf of Mockaitis Law posted in dui defense on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

An arrest for driving under the influence doesn't always happen at an Illinois DUI checkpoint. In fact, law enforcement makes very few arrests at those roadblocks. Instead, police may pull over a driver for another reason, such as a missing headlight or a traffic violation, and notice signs of intoxication during their interactions with the driver.

If there is no other infraction, however, police must have a suspicion that you have been drinking that prompts them to pull you over. A lack of reasonable suspicion may be the crux of your DUI defense, and police will certainly have to testify to their observations.

Opportunities to clear your criminal record in Illinois

On behalf of Mockaitis Law posted in criminal defense on Friday, February 16, 2018.

If you’ve ever been arrested—even if you weren’t convicted, and even if your case was dismissed—you now have a criminal record. This is a black mark on your history which never expires. It shows up anytime someone runs a background check on you, and it can serve as an obstacle to getting a job, a loan or a lease.

However, you may be unaware that you can get certain items on their criminal record cleared—but it requires some initiative on your part. The state of Illinois offers two options two remove offenses from your criminal record: sealing and expungement.

Selling a home? Here's what you need to tell prospective buyers

On behalf of Mockaitis Law posted in real estate transactions on Friday, January 12, 2018.

Whether you are buying or selling a home in Illinois, it is a significant legal and financial step. Many people underestimate the serious nature of this type of transaction, assuming that they only need an experienced real estate agent to navigate the potential complications of this process. In reality, even as the seller, it can be helpful to understand how you can protect your long-term interests.

Selling a home is typically more involved than just listing the house for sale. You may have to clean, rearrange furniture, paint and do other things to attract the attention of a potential buyer. In addition to the cosmetic issues you may have to address, it could also be useful to understand the things you are legally obligated to disclose to any potential buyer.

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Mockaitis Law
123 W Washington Street, Suite 102
Oswego, IL 60543
Phone: 331-642-1515
Fax: 630-427-4947
Fax: 331-216-5920
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Our office is accessible via the store front on Washington Street.