Author Archives: mdkeenan

About mdkeenan

A criminal and school law attorney with over 17 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 and the Illinois State Bar Association. I serve as a volunteer for First Defense Legal Aid. Se habla espanol.

CAN POLICE TEST MY BLOOD IF I AM UNCONSCIOUS?

You appear to have caused an accident when driving home from a party.  The crash was bad enough that you were knocked unconscious.  When you came to in the hospital, the medical staff had tested your blood for substances and … Continue reading

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WHEN YOUR DUI IS CAUSED BY A PRESCRIPTION DRUG

You would never drink and drive. You are always very careful about that. But the doctor just gave you a new prescription, and nobody warned you that you could become sleepy behind the wheel of a car. Next thing you … Continue reading

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IS SPEEDING A MISDEMEANOR IN ILLINOIS?

The answer is yes, depending on how fast you were going. Speeding between 26 and 35 miles over the limit is a Class B Misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail.   Speeding 35 miles over the limit and … Continue reading

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CAN A DOG SNIFF YOUR CAR FOR DRUGS IN A PUBLIC PLACE?

You parked your car at the mall and went shopping.  When you returned a couple hours later, an officer was waiting with a trained drug detection dog.  The dog had alerted to something in your car.  After a search, the … Continue reading

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CAN I HAVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN MY CAR?

The officer pulled you over after you ran a stop sign.  You have a prescription for marijuana, and your prescribed meds were sitting next to you on the passenger seat.  The officer spotted them and arrested you for Possession of … Continue reading

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WHEN DOES A TRAFFIC STOP BECOME AN ARREST?

If you are stopped for a traffic offense or DUI, an arrest occurs the moment you are no longer free to leave.  This moment matters because an officer must have probable cause to arrest you.  If not, an attorney may … Continue reading

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CAN AN OFFICER STOP ME BASED ON ANOTHER OFFICER’S INFORMATION?

The answer may be yes, based on “the doctrine of collective knowledge.” For example, in People v. Whiles, an Illinois officer received a call about a possible drunk driver. A Michigan officer happened to be in the area.  Having seen the … Continue reading

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YOUR RIGHT TO COMMUNICATE WHILE IN POLICE CUSTODY IN ILLINOIS

Under 725 ILCS 5/103-3.5, you have the right to communicate free of charge with an attorney of your choice and members of your family as soon as possible upon being taken into police custody, but no later than 3 hours … Continue reading

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WHEN DOES A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT BECOME A CRIME?

Contrary to what you may have seen on TV, running a stoplight that results in a traffic death is not automatically a criminal offense.  Of course, the death is a terrible tragedy, and you may be sued in civil court … Continue reading

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WHAT IS A CANNABIS DUI IN ILLINOIS?

You find that marijuana gummies ease certain health problems, although you don’t have a prescription for them. One day, you may have eaten too many before driving on an errand.  Police stopped you for weaving and arrested you for DUI. … Continue reading

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