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.

TAKING THE PLEA FOR DUI IN ILLINOIS

In my practice, having my client take a guilty plea is a last resort, not a first option. When a DUI client comes to me, I first review all the evidence against him or her for any possible defense. Did … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on TAKING THE PLEA FOR DUI IN ILLINOIS

FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS: DUI TESTING IN ILLINOIS

After leaving the bar, you blew a stop sign. Unfortunately, police were watching and stopped you for DUI. You agreed to take some field sobriety tests. Although you thought you passed, the officer arrested you. You walked a straight line … Continue reading

Posted in DUI evidence, DUI testing | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS: DUI TESTING IN ILLINOIS

NEW SUPREME COURT LAW ON ANONYMOUS TIPS AND DUI

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

Posted in DUI evidence, probable cause | Tagged , , | Comments Off on NEW SUPREME COURT LAW ON ANONYMOUS TIPS AND DUI

LOOKING BACKWARDS: HOW THE STATE PROVES YOUR BLOOD ALCOHOL WAS HIGHER THAN YOUR BREATHALYZER RESULT

You had several drinks at the bar before you drove home. Police stopped you for a moving violation and arrested you for DUI. At the police station, you agree to take the breathalyzer. The reading is .077, just below the … Continue reading

Posted in breathalyzer/field sobriety test, DUI evidence | Tagged , | Comments Off on LOOKING BACKWARDS: HOW THE STATE PROVES YOUR BLOOD ALCOHOL WAS HIGHER THAN YOUR BREATHALYZER RESULT

HOW THE DEFENSE MAY SHOW YOUR BLOOD ALCOHOL IS LOWER THAN YOUR BREATHALYZER

You had several drinks at the bar before you drove home. Police stopped you for a moving violation and arrested you for DUI. At the police station, you blew the breathalyzer. The reading was over the legal limit. Your friend, … Continue reading

Posted in breathalyzer/field sobriety test, DUI evidence | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on HOW THE DEFENSE MAY SHOW YOUR BLOOD ALCOHOL IS LOWER THAN YOUR BREATHALYZER

WHEN A TRAFFIC VIOLATION IS NOT A TRAFFIC VIOLATION

It’s not hard for police to justify a traffic stop. There are a host of potential traffic violations, and chances are, you’ve violated at least one of them. But not in every case. A recent Illinois Appellate case found that … Continue reading

Posted in moving violations, traffic offenses | Tagged , | Comments Off on WHEN A TRAFFIC VIOLATION IS NOT A TRAFFIC VIOLATION

ILLINOIS GETS TOUGH ON TRAFFIC TICKETS WITH NEW LAW

A new Illinois law makes it tougher to ignore those routine traffic tickets. Before the new law, your ticket could be dismissed even if you didn’t show up for court. As long as the arresting officer or complaining witness were … Continue reading

Posted in moving violations, suspensions, traffic offenses | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on ILLINOIS GETS TOUGH ON TRAFFIC TICKETS WITH NEW LAW

CAN I BE ARRESTED FOR AVOIDING A POLICE ROADSIDE CHECKPOINT IN ILLINOIS?

You were driving home from a party when you noticed several cars up ahead and spotted a police checkpoint. You really didn’t want the hassle, so you turned your car around and drove away. Next thing you know, a police … Continue reading

Posted in DUI evidence, probable cause, road blocks | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on CAN I BE ARRESTED FOR AVOIDING A POLICE ROADSIDE CHECKPOINT IN ILLINOIS?

The Crime of Obstructing Identification in Illinois

While it may hardly seem like a crime, under certain circumstances, you can be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor for failing to give your correct name, address or birthdate to police. In Illinois, Obstructing Identification involves knowingly and intentionally … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Crime of Obstructing Identification in Illinois

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SUSPENDED AND A REVOKED DRIVER’S LICENSE IN ILLINOIS?

Depending on the nature, severity and number of times you’ve been charged with DUI, the Secretary of State may suspend your license or revoke it. Generally, your license is automatically suspended for a set period when you are charged with … Continue reading

Posted in driving on a suspended license, suspensions | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SUSPENDED AND A REVOKED DRIVER’S LICENSE IN ILLINOIS?