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).
Author Archives: mdkeenan
CAN POLICE CHANGE THE REASON THEY STOP ME?
An officer can stop you for one reason then investigate you for another as long as the stop is not unduly prolonged. Whether a stop was unduly prolonged, and thus illegal, is a very fact-intensive question, which different judges may … Continue reading
Posted in probable cause, search of vehicle
Tagged narcotics dog, traffic stop, unduly prolonged
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CAN POLICE SEARCH MY CAR BASED ON MARIJUANA WHEN POT IS LEGAL IN ILLINOIS?
According to the Illinois Supreme Court, the answer is yes, especially if combined with other factors. In People v. Hill, an officer stopped the defendant, then searched his car based on the strong odor of cannabis and a cannabis bud … Continue reading
Posted in probable cause, search of vehicle
Tagged cannabis, Marijuana, pot
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CAN YOU BE STOPPED FOR FAILING TO WEAR A SEAT BELT?
The answer is yes. Police can stop your car when they have probable cause to believe that a traffic violation has occurred. Failure to wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt can be enough. During any stop, the driver … Continue reading
Posted in traffic offenses
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HOW QUICKLY SHOULD YOU STOP WHEN POLICE PULL YOUR CAR OVER?
If an officer pulls you over, you must stop as soon as you can safely do so. Stopping too slowly could give police the probable cause they need to search your car. Police may think you are hiding something or … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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DOES A MINOR TRAFFIC VIOLATION GIVE POLICE THE RIGHT TO STOP MY CAR?
In most situations, the answer is yes. Police need probable cause before they can stop your car for a suspected offense. Violating even a minor traffic law can be enough. Furthermore, police may conduct a brief, investigatory stop where the … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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HOW CAN A LAWYER HELP MY CHILD WITH A TRAFFIC TICKET?
Your child only recently started driving. Although generally responsible, he or she got a rather high speeding ticket with the possibility of a criminal record as a result. Should you get an attorney? What can an attorney do? Be aware … Continue reading
Posted in moving violations, traffic offenses
Tagged traffic ticket
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WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF AN ILLINOIS DUI UNDER AGE 21 AND HOW CAN AN ATTORNEY HELP?
If you are arrested for DUI when you are under age 21, you can face somewhat stiffer penalties than if you were older. For one thing, the Illinois Secretary of State can revoke your driving privileges for at least two … Continue reading
Posted in DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Tagged teen driving, under 21 dui, zero tolerance
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OVERTURNING YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE SUSPENSION BASED ON THE UNDERLYING TRAFFIC STOP
Once you are arrested for DUI, the Secretary of State usually suspends your driver’s license for at least six months beginning on the 46th day after your arrest. Your attorney may file a petition to rescind or overturn that suspension. … Continue reading
Posted in suspensions, traffic offenses
Tagged suspension, traffic violation
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CAN I BE CONVICTED OF DUI IN ILLINOIS IF I DID NOT TAKE THE BREATHALYZER?
While you can still be convicted of DUI without a breathalyzer, the prosecution’s job certainly is a bit harder. To find you guilty of DUI, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were both driving and impaired. … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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