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.

“SOMEONE TOLD THE POLICE I WAS DRUNK!”: WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED FOR DUI BASED ON A TIP

Posted on January 14, 2013 by mdkeenan

You had a few drinks at the bar over the course of a few hours. You hadn’t broken any laws on your way home, but the police stopped you and arrested you for DUI. Turns out someone from the bar … Continue reading →

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IMPROPER LANE USAGE IN ILLINOIS: A PATH TO DUI

Posted on December 31, 2012 by mdkeenan

After a few drinks at a party, you were driving home listening to your favorite CD, when you heard the siren behind you. The police pulled you over because you had crossed momentarily into the adjoining lane. Once stopped, the … Continue reading →

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WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR DUI?

Posted on December 11, 2012 by mdkeenan

Depending on the level of your offense, the penalties for DUI can range from an expensive and painful slap on the wrist to years in prison. Unless you are found not guilty, many DUIs result in a conviction. Only a … Continue reading →

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PUT AWAY THAT PHONE!: NEW ILLINOIS TRAFFIC LAWS ON TEXTING AND PHONING

Posted on November 26, 2012 by mdkeenan

While Illinois has not completely banned cell phones while driving, new laws are limiting when and where you can use them. The new laws target hand-held devices. As of January 1, 2013, you may not use a hand-held device within … Continue reading →

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“I DROVE ANOTHER CAR!”: WHEN YOU HAVE VIOLATED YOUR MONITORING DEVICE DRIVING PERMIT (MDDP)

Posted on November 5, 2012 by mdkeenan

As a first time DUI offender, you were eligible to receive a Breath Activated Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) under an MDDP. You paid your fees and had the device installed. Generally, you take your own car and blow into the … Continue reading →

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BE CAREFUL WHAT PEOPLE CAN SEE IN YOUR CAR! THE PLAIN VIEW EXCEPTION TO POLICE SEARCHES IN ILLINOIS

Posted on October 15, 2012 by mdkeenan

You ran a red light when the police officer pulled you over. After making the stop, the officer noticed some spoons and straws sticking out of your visor. The officer opened the visor. As it turns out, you stashed a … Continue reading →

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THE AUTOMATIC DRIVER’S LICENSE DUI SUSPENSION IN ILLINOIS: THE 31-DAY NO-DRIVING WINDOW

Posted on September 18, 2012 by mdkeenan

(UPDATE: As of January 1, 2016, the 31-day window has been abolished.) When you are charged with DUI in Illinois, the Secretary of State automatically suspends your license. The suspension starts on the 46th day after your arrest and can … Continue reading →

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BE CAREFUL HOW YOU APPROACH THAT DUI POLICE CHECKPOINT

Posted on September 13, 2012 by mdkeenan

Illinois police are allowed to set up roadblocks to catch drunk drivers within certain guidelines. The checkpoint can only be minimally intrusive to the driver, it must look official, and it must follow police department rules. But even if your … Continue reading →

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NEW ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT CASE DEFINES PARENTAL EXCEPTION TO UNDERAGE DRINKING

Posted on August 27, 2012 by mdkeenan

As most of us know, the drinking age in Illinois is 21. Parents who are social hosts of underage drinkers or establishments that provide alcohol to those under 21 can face criminal penalties. But there is an exception to that … Continue reading →

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NEW ILLINOIS LAW CRACKS DOWN ON SPEEDERS ONCE AGAIN

Posted on August 20, 2012 by mdkeenan

A new Illinois law has dropped the threshold for when your routine speeding ticket becomes a criminal offense. Speeding first became criminalized as a misdemeanor in 2011. Driving more than 31 miles over the limit was upgraded to a Class … Continue reading →

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