In a city as diverse and dynamic as Chicago, encounters with law enforcement can happen to anyone, anytime. Knowing how to navigate these interactions is crucial not only to protect your rights but also to reduce the risk of facing resisting arrest charges or other legal troubles. As criminal lawyers in Chicago, we’re here to provide you with practical advice on the dos and don’ts of interacting with law enforcement in the Windy City.

Dos:

Remain Calm and Respectful: The [...]

Chicago, just like many other cities throughout the United States, has had a tough few weeks. Protests are raging across the country related to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. These protests have sparked some violence and looting – something Chicago has not been immune to.

As reported by Patch.com, at the beginning of June one weekend protest saw 700 people arrested in Chicago, including many charges of resisting arrest.  Here’s what you need to know if you find [...]

What’s does it mean to resist arrest in Illinois? Most people have a pretty narrow view of the law, assuming it means – essentially – fighting back when an officer tries to arrest you. However, while this is certainly one way that someone can get hit with the charge, it isn’t the only one.

 

In this post, we will detail what resisting arrest really means under the laws of our state and tell you what penalties may result.

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If a police officer is trying to perform their job and you resist or delay their progress, you can be charged with resisting arrest. Below you will find the legal definition of resisting arrest in Illinois, along with some defenses that may work for you.

 

What “Resisting Arrest” Means in Illinois

 

When a police officer is trying to handcuff or arrest you and take you to jail, and you act with intent to prevent them from doing so, [...]

Confrontations with the police can be tricky, especially after reading stories where officers overstep their bounds and use unnecessary force or make false arrests. However, you could be forgiven for thinking “don’t spit on police officers” is an obvious piece of advice.

 

Apparently, Chicago Bears cornerback Deiondre’ Hall missed that memo. In late March, after doing just that, Hall ended up getting tasered in the leg and arrested for multiple misdemeanors.

 

Officers confronted Hall, 22, around 1 A.M. [...]