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 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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DO POLICE HAVE PROBABLE CAUSE TO SEARCH YOUR CAR?
You know you blew a stop sign, so you were not surprised when the officer pulled you over. But then the officer searched your car and found an open bottle of whiskey under the passenger seat. You are now under … Continue reading
Posted in probable cause, search of vehicle
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IS THERE A PROCEDURE TO OVERTURN THE AUTOMATIC DUI SUSPENSION OF MY DRIVER’S LICENSE?
The answer is yes. You may be able to overturn your driver’s license suspension upon certain grounds. After you are charged with DUI, the Secretary of State usually suspends your driver’s license on the 46th day after your arrest. Once … Continue reading
Posted in suspensions
Tagged automatic suspension, drivers license suspension, petition to rescind, statutory summary suspension
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CAN I BEAT THE AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION OF MY ILLINOIS DRIVER’S LICENSE?
If you are charged with DUI, you should immediately contact an attorney because certain options to fight the automatic suspension of your driver’s license may only be available for a short time after your arrest. The Illinois Secretary of State … Continue reading
Posted in suspensions
Tagged drivers license suspension, petition to rescind, suspension
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PASSING A SCHOOL BUS IN ILLINOIS
UPDATED August 7, 2019: As of January 1, 2020, the fines for illegally passing a school bus are going up. The fine will be $300 (instead of $150) for a first offense and $1000 (instead of $500) for later offenses. … Continue reading
Posted in moving violations, traffic offenses
Tagged overtaking a school bus, passing a school bus, school bus
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