ABOUT ME
Matt Keenan
Se habla español.
A criminal and school law attorney with over 24 years of experience, I have successfully represented clients all over the Chicago area. My practice includes DUI, felony, criminal, misdemeanor, homicide, internet crime, retail theft, traffic offenses, cyberstalking, drug crimes, weapons violations, domestic battery and juvenile crime. I also represent families involving school cases. My clients come from all over the Chicago area including Skokie, Wilmette, Niles, Northbrook, Glenview, Evanston, Winnetka, Highland park, Northfield, Park Ridge, Des Plaines and Mount Prospect. I am a member of the ACLU, Illinois State Bar Association.
We wrote the chapters on DEFENSES and ARRESTS AND INVESTIGATORY STOPS.
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Illinois Jurisprudence: Criminal Law and Procedure. Vol. 1. (LexisNexis 2014).We wrote the chapters on SEARCH and SEIZURE, MOTIONS AND DISCOVERY, and EVIDENTIARY MATTERS GENERALLY.
Illinois Jurisprudence: Criminal Law and Procedure. Vol. 1. (LexisNexis 2014).
Category Archives: DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
“BUT I WASN’T NEAR MY CAR!”: THE “DRIVING” IN ILLINOIS DUI
If you are walking down the street, it seems reasonable to assume that you aren’t in the act of driving. Yet, under Illinois law, you can be charged with drunk driving even if you are nowhere near your car. How … Continue reading
Posted in DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, DUI evidence
Tagged driving, physical control
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CAN THEY SEARCH MY STUFF IN SOMEONE ELSE’S CAR?
You were a passenger in a friend’s car. You had your suitcase in the backseat. Your friend got pulled over by police, and police searched your bag and found drugs or weapons. Can the police search your bag if you … Continue reading
Posted in DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, search of vehicle
Tagged arrest, driving under the influence, drunk driving, DUI, probable cause, traffic stop
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DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CANNABIS OR DRUGS IN ILLINOIS
In Illinois, there are several ways of charging you with driving under the influence of marijuana or cannabis. With one exception, however, the state may have difficulty proving you were actually impaired. If you were driving after smoking pot you … Continue reading
Posted in DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Tagged driving under the influence of cannabis, driving under the influence of drugs, driving under the influence of marijuana, DUI cannabis, DUI drugs, DUI marijuana
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“CAN THEY REALLY STOP ME FOR THAT?” OBSTRUCTED WINDSHIELDS, IMPROPER LICENSE PLATE DISPLAY, AND OTHER MINOR OFFENSES
UPDATED July 25, 2023: As of January 1, 2024, police will no longer be able to stop you for something hanging from your front windshield. While you may not drive a motor vehicle with any objects suspended between you and … Continue reading
Posted in DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, moving violations, probable cause, speeding, traffic offenses, violation
Tagged improper license plate display, obstructed mirror, probable cause, traffic stop, traffic tickets, violation
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BUT IT’S MY FIRST DUI! DOESN’T THAT MATTER?
You’ve never been in trouble before. This DUI is your first arrest of any kind. Doesn’t that help? The answer is yes and no. A first offender may be eligible for a lighter sentence than a repeat offender. However, your … Continue reading
Posted in DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Tagged bad character, character, first offense, good character
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CHEATING YOUR CAR’S BREATHALYZER DEVICE JUST GOT HARDER IN ILLINOIS
Some DUI defendants qualify for a breath activated ignition interlock device (BAIID). The device allows you to drive as long as you blow into a breathalyzer. If you are intoxicated, the car will not start. Some drivers evade this requirement … Continue reading
Posted in breathalyzer/field sobriety test, DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Tagged BAIID, breath alcohol ignition interlock device, monitoring device driving permit, violation, violation of probation
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THE COOK COUNTY VETERANS TREATMENT COURT HELPS VETERANS WITH DRUG, DUI OR OTHER NONVIOLENT CRIMES
As a veteran of the United States Military, you may qualify for a special program to help deal with your criminal or DUI charges. The Cook County Veterans Treatment Court program aims to prevent veterans from returning to the criminal … Continue reading
Posted in DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Tagged veterans DUI, veterans offenses, Veterans Treatment Court
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WHY HASN’T MY ILLINOIS DUI BEEN DISMISSED WHEN THE COP IS NOT IN COURT?
You were charged with DUI, and you’ve been to court maybe six times. Not once have you seen the officer who arrested you. Meanwhile, you’ve watched other cases get dismissed because a witness or even an officer didn’t show. Why … Continue reading
Posted in DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Tagged driving under the influence, drunk driving, DUI, DUI arrest
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THE CHARGE OF BAC EXCEEDS 0.08 IN ILLINOIS
Your driving was actually just fine, but your breathalyzer was well over the legal limit. Or maybe you swerved all over the lane, but you only blew a .04. Either way, you can be found guilty of DUI. How can … Continue reading
Posted in breathalyzer/field sobriety test, DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, DUI testing
Tagged alcohol driving permit, BAC, blood alcohol content, blood testing, breathalyzer, driving on a suspended license, driving under the influence, DUI, field sobriety test
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LEAVING THE SCENE AND DUI: A TOXIC COMBINATION
You stayed too late at the party and drank too much. On the way home, you heard a thud. You’re not sure what you hit, but you panicked and fled. Somehow the cops figured out where you lived, and you’re … Continue reading
Posted in aggravated dui, DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Tagged accident, driving under the influence, DUI, fleeing, hit and run, leaving the scene, leaving the scene of an accident, moving violation
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