When hearing the word “rape,” the image most people conjure is that of a masked assailant sneaking behind a helpless victim at night and dragging him/her to dark alleyways, where they can fulfill their criminal intentions. However, that’s not the only type of rape and also not nearly the most prevalent one: stranger rape is as tragic as any type of sexual assault, but the danger lies much nearer.

Approximately two-thirds of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim, such as a spouse, an intimate partner, or simply an acquaintance. Most often through the use of alcohol and extremely powerful drugs, rapists manage to make their victims weak and confused – or even cause them to pass out – and ensure they’ll not be physically able to resist sexual intercourse. Rohypnol, GHB, ketamine, and alcohol are some of the most common drugs used by criminals, and experts say the trend is far from being over:

“The ‘date-rape drug’ phenomenon, although fairly new, is evolving rapidly as sexual abusers attempt to circumvent stricter drug controls by using substances not restricted by international drug conventions,” according to a report from the International Narcotics Control Board. “Drug traffickers obtain the substances in question through Internet pharmacies and the mail system, or from illicit manufacture.”

Although the government has already started working with pharmaceutical and chemical companies to put an end to such abuses, there’s still a long way until the use of illegal substances that facilitate the commission ofcrime will be properly sanctioned. Until then, both men and women should get informed about date rape and what they can do to protect themselves. Here are 7 warning signs that could help you spot a potential rapist:

7 Warning Signs

No matter how careful or prepared you are, bad things can still happen. Information, however, can increase your chances of escaping the criminal intentions of your partner. Here are five warning signs to consider:

1. Your date invites you to an isolated or private place.
2. Your date tries to invade your personal space through a lot of accidental touching and staring.
3. Your date tries to lull you into a sense of safety, by looking, talking, and behaving very nice.
4. Your date tries to persuade you to drink alcohol or use drugs.
5. Your date tries to convince you to ignore your instincts.
6. He makes several sexual allusions, constantly talking about what the two of you would be doing later on.
7. Your date exhibits a violent behavior towards others (waiters, people in the restaurant etc.) but suddenly gets calmer when talking directly to you.

Mood swings, jealousy, inability to handle sexual and emotional frustrations, heavy drinking, and a negative attitude towards women in general are more signs that you might be in the presence of a criminal.

Sex crimes, including rape, date rape, sexual abuse and assault, have some of the harshest penalties and can change a person’s life forever. Whether you have been the victim of a rape or charged with sexual assault, you need aggressive legal representation and a specialized attorney to protect your rights. To schedule a free consultation, call 773.908.9811 or fill out a short form found here, to analyze your case and start building your defense.

About the Author Andrew M. Weisberg is a criminal defense attorney in Chicago, Illinois. A former prosecutor in Cook County, Mr. Weisberg,is a member of the Capital Litigation Trial Bar, an elite group of criminal attorneys who are certified by the Illinois Supreme Court to try death penalty cases. He is also a member of the Federal Trial Bar. Mr. Weisberg is a solo practitioner at the Law Offices of Andrew M. Weisberg.

There may be little or no difference between the amount of pot white and black people smoke, but there’s surely a huge gap between black/white drug arrests. According to a detailed report by the American Civil Liberties Union, black Americans are four times more likely to get arrested for drug use and possession. The data, collected from all 50 states and the District of Colombia, provides an accurate depiction of drug law enforcement by race and state.

It turns out 14 percent of black people and 12 percent of white people have reported in 2010 they have used marijuana at least once in the previous year. The report shows a greater number of arrests for whites – 460,808 – than blacks, with only 282,117 arrests, but the numbers translate in 716/100,000 for blacks versus only 192/100,000 for whites. In Minnesota, Illinois and Washington D.C., black Americans were up to 8.5 times more likely than whites to be put behind bars for marijuana possession.

Some theories claim that the reason why blacks are more likely to get arrested is because it’s easier for the police to intervene and bust people in the “open air” drug markets currently found in black communities, as opposed to searching through the basements and country clubs of white communities. Furthermore, the increased likelihood of black defendants to insult police officers and be rebellious increases the chances ofarrest.

Decriminalization to Save Money

The financial burden of drug arrests on the U.S. economy is tremendous. Economists believe the government could save more than $13 billion on prohibition enforcement costs by decriminalizing marijuana use and almost $1 billion/year in incarceration costs for marijuana-related charges. On the other hand, legal marijuana could be an industry with a value of $45 to $100 billion, according to a recent Bloomberg report, while each hydroponic marijuana growing store could provide at least 75 jobs indirectly.

The sad part is; the huge costs are in most part supported by taxpayers. According to Forbes.com, marijuana prohibition costs tax-payers a staggering $41.8 billion per year, as the value of the market for illegal marijuana exceeded $36 billion in the U.S. only.

Decriminalization to End Racism

The solution to the disparities between white and black arrests is somewhat evident: decriminalization of marijuana will eventually reduce the overall arrest rates. In 2009, the state of Massachusetts decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana,and since then has seen a significant reduction in the number of arrests, from 9,000 to almost 1,200. It even caused the black/white arrest gap to narrow, from 5.4 to 3.41, and there’s no reason to think that legalization would not be effective in erasing such disparities.

Clearly, legalization would not only put an end to the wasteful spending of law enforcement resources, but according to almost half of Americans surveyed in recent polls, it would also boost the economy, since the millions that are now going to drug cartels could be redirected to state budgets by taxing and regulating marijuana similar to alcohol.

The end of marijuana prohibition would also restore the image of black drug users, considered criminals or debased human beings,and abolish the discriminatory policies that reinforce social and ethnic discrepancies. With the help of a criminal defense lawyer, individualscan reduce the impact criminal charges have on their professional and social lives, granting them the same access as before towell-paid jobs, housing or child custody.

About the Author: Andrew M. Weisberg is a criminal defense attorney in Chicago, Illinois. A former prosecutor in Cook County, Mr. Weisberg,is a member of the Capital Litigation Trial Bar, an elite group of criminal attorneys who are certified by the Illinois Supreme Court to try death penalty cases. He is also a member of the Federal Trial Bar. Mr. Weisberg is a sole practitioner at the Law Offices of Andrew M. Weisberg.

Although Colorado and Washington have decriminalized the use of marijuana and more than 20 states have allowed prescribing and limited possession of medical marijuana, the recreational drug still remains a sure ticket to prison in the rest of the country.

According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting statistics for 2012, there were 1,552,432 drug arrests nationwide, slightly higher than in 2011, among which nearly half were for marijuana possession and use. That’s one marijuana arrest every 48 seconds in 2012, for possession only, and one arrest every 42 seconds for distribution, the same as in 2011.

Advocacy groups supporting the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana believe prosecuting people for use and possession of marijuana is a waste of the already-limited law enforcement resources, when they could deploy all forces towards violent crimes.

The latest Gallup poll results reveal that more than half of the Americans surveyed on the matter favored the end of marijuana prohibition. 58 percent were in favor of legalization,and only 39 percent opposed. The data shows a significant increase of 10% since last year, when Washington and Colorado declared marijuana use legal.

Socio-Economic Consequences for Arrestees

People arrested are, most of the times, handcuffed and taken to the police station, where they have their picture and fingerprints taken and sent to the FBI, never to be sealed or expunged from their records. Typically, some will spend at least 24 hours before appearing before a judge, while others are given a citation for a court appearance and then released.

In most cases, people choose to plead guilty for marijuana possession, a crime that can either be treated as a Class A misdemeanor or Class C felony, depending primarily on the defendant’s criminal record and whether or not the drug was intended for personal use only. Penalties for misdemeanor possession of marijuana are maximum one year in jail and a fine of $2,000. Other costs incurred in a drug misdemeanor case, including bail, attorney’s fees and court expenses, can add up to $5,000.

A marijuana conviction, however, will impact the life of the defendant in numerous ways, ranging from child custody issues, federally-insured student loans, the right to vote, the right to possess firearms, the right to reside in subsidized housing to the ability to adopt children or obtain welfare benefits. A misdemeanor will remain on the record for at least 3 years and a felony for at least five before it can be expunged by a court of law, period during which it can affect the chances of accessing housing and future employment.

Legal Help

An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help an individual caught using or possessing marijuana avoid prison terms and the serious consequences a local orfederal arrest can bring about. Whether guilty or not guilty, the criminal defendant faces a long and grueling procedure, often resulting in conviction and harsh sentence upon failing to demonstrate the evidence is flawed and the allegations false.

A legal counselor will clearly explain all available options to you, making sure the chosen course of action is in your best interest. If the current charge is a first offense, the likelihood of being released with low bail until the trial are high, allowing you and your attorney to prepare a defense and avoid prison terms.

About the Author Andrew M. Weisberg is a criminal defense attorney in Chicago, Illinois. A former prosecutor in Cook County, Mr. Weisberg,is a member of the Capital Litigation Trial Bar, an elite group of criminal attorneys who are certified by the Illinois Supreme Court to try death penalty cases. He is also a member of the Federal Trial Bar. Mr. Weisberg is a sole practitioner at the Law Offices of Andrew M. Weisberg.