Tag Archives: traffic stop

CAN POLICE USE A DOG TO SNIFF YOUR CAR?

Posted on February 26, 2018 by mdkeenan

If police stop you for a traffic violation, they don’t need a reason to change the reason they stopped you. For example, they can stop you for speeding but then bring in a narcotics dog to sniff your car. However, … Continue reading →

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A CHICAGO POLICE INVESTIGATIVE ALERT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO UPHOLD A TRAFFIC STOP IN ILLINOIS

Posted on October 27, 2017 by mdkeenan

Calling Chicago police investigative alerts “troubling,” some Illinois courts have been reluctant to uphold the legality of a police stop based on an alert alone. Investigative alerts are issued by police departments. The Chicago Police Department issues two types of … Continue reading →

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EXTRADITION TO ILLINOIS: THE UNFINISHED CRIMINAL CASE

Posted on August 8, 2016 by mdkeenan

With ever-expanding access to information, police in one state can easily learn about any criminal charges you have open in another state. And that can lead to extradition. Extradition means you could be arrested in your current state and brought … Continue reading →

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CAN THE POLICE ASK FOR MY DRIVER’S LICENSE DURING A TRAFFIC STOP?

Posted on March 1, 2016 by mdkeenan

The answer is yes. Recent U.S. and Illinois Supreme Court cases have held that a request for a driver’s license is reasonable regardless of the reason for the stop. Before 2005, police could not change the nature of a traffic … Continue reading →

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HOW LONG CAN POLICE STOP MY CAR IN ILLINOIS?

Posted on May 22, 2015 by mdkeenan

There are no hard and fast rules about how much time police can take to perform a routine traffic stop. However, police may keep you no longer than necessary to accomplish the purpose of that stop. How long is necessary … Continue reading →

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NEW SUPREME COURT LAW ON ANONYMOUS TIPS AND DUI

Posted on November 21, 2014 by mdkeenan

Police are allowed to stop drivers based on anonymous tips. The key question is whether the tip was reliable enough to provide probable cause for the stop. The Supreme Court just made that job a lot easier for the prosecution. … Continue reading →

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CAN THEY SEARCH MY STUFF IN SOMEONE ELSE’S CAR?

Posted on April 28, 2014 by mdkeenan

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 →

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“CAN THEY REALLY STOP ME FOR THAT?” OBSTRUCTED WINDSHIELDS, IMPROPER LICENSE PLATE DISPLAY, AND OTHER MINOR OFFENSES

Posted on September 23, 2013 by mdkeenan

Before you can be apprehended for DUI, police need a reasonable suspicion to stop your car. Of course, if you are weaving all over the road, driving the wrong way up the highway, or blowing traffic lights, the police have … Continue reading →

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THE BREATHALYZER: HOW YOU CAN GET A FALSE READING

Posted on January 17, 2012 by mdkeenan

You just got stopped for DUI. The officer asked you to perform some field sobriety tests and take the portable breathalyzer. You agreed. After all, you figured you only had a couple beers, the result would be well below the … Continue reading →

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CAN THE POLICE SEARCH MY CAR? YOUR RIGHTS DURING A DUI STOP

Posted on January 11, 2011 by mdkeenan

You partied a little too hard, so you were driving extra slowly on your way home. Unfortunately, a police officer spotted you and pulled you over, citing improper lane usage. After taking your license, the officer asked you to step … Continue reading →

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