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 THE STATE PROVE YOU WERE DRIVING IN AN ILLINOIS DUI?
If you are charged with DUI, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt: 1) that you were impaired and 2) that you were driving. This burden may be more difficult to meet if no one actually saw you behind … Continue reading
Posted in DUI evidence
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CAN I DRIVE WITH RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN THE CAR?
Recreational marijuana is about to become legal in Illinois, but that doesn’t mean you can cruise the highway lazily puffing a joint with your stash on the seat. Be aware that there are still limits. As with open alcohol, you … Continue reading
Posted in DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, DUI evidence
Tagged cannabis, Marijuana
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CAN I DRINK IN THE ALLEY? THE OFFENSE OF DRINKING IN PUBLIC WAYS
You and your friends were hanging out in the alley with a bottle of Grey Goose vodka. A police cruiser spotted you with the booze. As a result, you were all arrested for drinking in public ways. The police then … Continue reading
Posted in probable cause
Tagged drinking in public ways, drinking on the public way
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DO I HAVE A RIGHT TO SEE THE POLICE VIDEO OF MY ILLINOIS DUI ARREST?
The officer stopped you for a broken tail light. When you rolled down your window, he smelled the odor of alcohol and asked you to get out of the car. You took the field sobriety tests and thought you did … Continue reading
Posted in DUI evidence
Tagged DUI video, video
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CAN THE NATURE OF THE ROAD BE A DEFENSE TO AN ILLINOIS TRAFFIC TICKET OR DUI?
In reviewing a traffic ticket or DUI, the court generally reviews all the facts of your case. In some situations, the type of road you were driving on may become important. For example, does an officer have probable cause to … Continue reading
Posted in DUI evidence, traffic offenses
Tagged improper lane change, nature of road, school bus, type of road
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WHAT KIND OF WARNINGS ARE THE POLICE REQUIRED TO GIVE BEFORE I CAN BE ARRESTED FOR DUI IN ILLINOIS?
When you are arrested for DUI, the police must read you the Warnings to Motorists, but this is not the same as your Miranda rights. The Illinois Secretary of State will try to automatically suspend your driver’s license on the … Continue reading
Posted in breathalyzer/field sobriety test, DUI evidence, suspensions
Tagged warnings to motorists
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HOW MUCH TIME DOES AN OFFICER HAVE TO INVESTIGATE ME AT A TRAFFIC STOP?
The officer pulled you over for speeding. He ran a check of your license and issued the ticket. But the officer asked you to not to leave quite yet. You were forced to wait while the officer ran some checks … Continue reading
Posted in probable cause, search of vehicle
Tagged prolonged stop
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SCOTT’S LAW RAISES PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO YIELD TO EMERGENCY VEHICLES
If you hear a siren or see the flashing lights of an emergency vehicle, it should go without saying that you have to clear the way. Illinois requires that you move to the right side curb until the vehicle passes. … Continue reading
Posted in moving violations, traffic offenses
Tagged emergency vehicle, failure to yield, Scott's Law
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CAN POLICE SEARCH YOUR CAR? IT DEPENDS ON THE FACTS
A police officer can stop you if he or she has probable cause. An unlit headlight may be cause enough. But once stopped, an officer needs either your consent or a reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing to search your car. What … Continue reading
Posted in probable cause, search of vehicle
Tagged probable cause, reasonable suspicion
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ILLINOIS TIGHTENS LAW ON HAND HELD DEVICES WHILE DRIVING
Updated July 24, 2019 As of July 1, 2019, a first offense for texting or using a cell phone while driving is now a moving violation. Before the change in law, you would not receive a moving violation until the … Continue reading
Posted in moving violations, traffic offenses
Tagged cell phone, electronic communication devices, texting
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