Posted on December 08, 2016 in Immigration

On July 29, 2016, Governor Rauner signed SB 2228, which changes the sentence for possession of small amounts of marijuana from jail time to a fine, usually between $100-$200. The change will reduce the amount of taxpayer dollars spent on incarcerating prisoners, as well as the strain on the court system. However, since the offenses in question were formerly criminal in nature, there is no law on the books that addresses them now that they are civil. To work around this problem until legislation can be passed, the Illinois Supreme Court has issued several new procedural rules to use in the interim.

The decision to decriminalize possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana was implemented officially on September 1, and will have positive effects on the state’s budget if the financial impact analysis performed by the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council (ISPAC) holds up. In order to help the adjustments to the law be processed smoothly by both state employees and offenders, though, regulations have been propagated by the Supreme Court to ensure that the process is respected.

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 Posted on December 08, 2016 in Personal Injury

Following an accident, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of car crash injuries. While injuries may be immediately apparent in the case of broken bones or cuts, other injuries do not become apparent until well after an accident. Also, not all injuries from an accident are physical. Injuries can be mental or emotional as well.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of car crash injuries has remained more or less the same despite the number of car crash fatalities decreasing over the years. In fact, the Center for Disease Control notes that Americans spend one million days in the hospital each year for injuries related to automotive accidents.

In the days and weeks following an auto accident, it is important to take careful note of how you are feeling. Writing down this information is a good idea, as is going to a doctor since increasing pain often does not resolve itself on its own.

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 Posted on December 01, 2016 in Personal Injury

As the weather turns colder, drivers gear up for winter weather driving. They are winterizing their cars, changing out their tires, and preparing emergency packs to go into the backs of their vehicles. Some may even be tuning into the weather station each night, just to be sure they are safe to drive the next day. Yet, not all will know what to do if a crash occurs. The following information can give you a better understanding of the most common types of winter crashes, and it can give you an idea on how to deal with them, should one happen to you or someone you love.

Vehicle Damage from Hail or Falling Debris

When roads are closed, most drivers will stay home (rightly so since you could be held liable for ignoring closures). Unfortunately, keeping your car in the driveway does not necessarily prevent damage to your vehicle. Hail and falling trees, power lines, and large branches can do some extensive damage. If you have comprehensive insurance, it should cover your loss. If you do not have this form of insurance, you should seriously consider adding it.

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 Posted on December 01, 2016 in Immigration

It is an extremely common misconception that as soon as someone spends one minute in the United States without status, he or she immediately becomes a criminal. This is simply not the case under immigration law. However, entering the country without inspection is a different matter—one is a crime, and one is not. There is a difference between civil and criminal law. While many civil offenses may still render you deportable, it is not guaranteed, especially if you have done nothing unlawful before or since.

Unlawful Entry

Unlawful entry into the United States, also known as entry without inspection, is a crime. It is a misdemeanor under U.S. criminal law—not immigration law—to enter the country without inspection by immigration officers (for example, by running across the border, or hiding in the trunk of someone’s car), or to lie or otherwise falsify information during an inspection. The first unlawful entry is punishable by either a fine, which is still classified as a criminal penalty, or by up to six months of imprisonment. The second increases the imprisonment period to two years.

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 Posted on November 28, 2016 in Family Law

Over the last several years, divorce has gone from a stigmatized and rare situation to a fairly common one. Some might view this as a negative, but there are potential benefits. For example, more divorce means psychologists and doctors now better understand how divorce affects those involved. This includes children, who often struggle to cope. In the same vein, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that pediatricians could provide support to families going through divorce. The following explains further, and provides some additional information on where parents can turn for help.

Understanding Children of Divorce

Every child is unique. Every family is unique. So it only makes sense that each child will respond differently to divorce. However, there are some common behaviors that may present in children at a particular age and stage of development. Pediatricians have an in-depth understanding of these various stages, and they typically have a history with their patients. This gives them a lot of insight and knowledge when it comes to knowing how to advise parents on how their child may cope with the divorce.

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 Posted on November 22, 2016 in Personal Injury

When a major life event occurs, people often post their news to social media accounts like Facebook to update friends and family. However, when a car accident happens, you may want to think twice before sharing.

Posting about your car accident on the Internet is not always a good idea, as social media can affect your car accident claim. Therefore, it is best to first contact a DuPage County car accident attorney to determine what steps you should do when you are in an auto accident. Consider the following issues:

1. Insurance companies can use posts about an accident, like “We are all fine,” when determining how much compensation you can receive. Even though such comments could have been made before knowing the extent of your injuries, it is possible to take such comments out of context.

2. Insurance companies can use past posts to social media regarding your phone use habits in your car to attempt to prove that you are an inattentive behind the wheel.

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 Posted on November 22, 2016 in Immigration

When an individual wants to immigrate to the United States through a family connection, he or she cannot simply pick up and do so. Potential immigrants require a sponsor to support them financially, and in other ways, while they get on their feet (if they are permitted to immigrate in the first place). The job of sponsor can be daunting, and very often neither the potential immigrant nor the U.S. citizen understands it fully. Therefore, it is critical that the job be understood by both.

The Affidavit of Support

The process is started by the U.S. citizen sponsor, who files an I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative). The most important part of the petition is the Affidavit of Support (AOS), which is a “legally binding contract” between the signatory and the U.S. government.

By signing the AOS, the sponsor agrees to financially support the incoming immigrant at (at least) 125 percent of the federal poverty metric. Additionally, the sponsor’s assets are ‘deemed available’ for use in service of supporting that potential immigrant.

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 Posted on November 21, 2016 in Family Law

The holidays tend to be an especially difficult time for families in the midst of a divorce. Concepts of peace, unity, and love are difficult to consider, and maybe even intangible. Yet it is that contrast that makes the effort to create a loving and nurturing holiday season so crucial. Some divorcing or recently divorced parents may find the following tips for surviving the holidays especially helpful.