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
LEAVING THE SCENE AND DUI: A TOXIC COMBINATION
You stayed too late at the party and drank too much. On the way home, you heard a thud. You’re not sure what you hit, but you panicked and fled. Somehow the cops figured out where you lived, and you’re … Continue reading
Posted in aggravated dui, DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Tagged accident, driving under the influence, DUI, fleeing, hit and run, leaving the scene, leaving the scene of an accident, moving violation
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COOK COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT ALERT: NEW CELL PHONE BAN
Cook County Circuit Court has a new security rule at the courthouse. As of April 15, 2013, visitors to any Cook County Courthouse other than the Richard J. Daley Center can no longer bring in cell phones or electronic communications … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged cell phone ban, cell phone security ban, cell phone use, cook county courthouse, court security
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THE POLICE NEED A REASON TO STOP YOU: ILLINOIS LAW ON ARRESTS
You really hadn’t done much. You and your friend were parked side by a side in a deserted lot. You handed a small package to your friend, and he pulled off. Next thing you know, the police blocked your car. … Continue reading
Posted in search of vehicle
Tagged arrest, car searches, Fourth Amendment, reasonable articulable suspicion, reasonable searches, search and seizure, unreasonable searches, warrantless arrest
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“I HAVE AN OPEN DUI CASE FROM YEARS AGO”: CLEARING UP AN OLD DUI IN ILLINOIS
Many years ago, you were stopped for DUI. At the time, you were unwilling to deal with the problem, so you simply blew off court or maybe you went to Court but didn’t complete the treatment or pay the fines. … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged old DUI, open DUI, prior DUI, reopening DUI
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“SOMEONE TOLD THE POLICE I WAS DRUNK!”: WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED FOR DUI BASED ON A TIP
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
Posted in probable cause
Tagged DUI arrest, informants, probable cause, search and seizure, tips
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IMPROPER LANE USAGE IN ILLINOIS: A PATH TO DUI
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
Posted in moving violations, traffic offenses, violation
Tagged crossing center line, crossing traffic lane, improper lane usage, probable cause
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WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR DUI?
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
Posted in DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Tagged alcohol classes, community service, DUI penalties, DUI punishment, fine, license reinstatement, penalties, punishment
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PUT AWAY THAT PHONE!: NEW ILLINOIS TRAFFIC LAWS ON TEXTING AND PHONING
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
Posted in moving violations, traffic offenses
Tagged cell phone, commercial drivers license, hand-held device, petty offense, texting, traffic ticket
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“I DROVE ANOTHER CAR!”: WHEN YOU HAVE VIOLATED YOUR MONITORING DEVICE DRIVING PERMIT (MDDP)
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
Posted in driving on a suspended license, suspensions
Tagged alcohol driving permit, BAAID, breath activated ignition interlock device, breath alcohol ignition interlock device, driving on a suspended license, MDDP, monitoring device driving permit
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BE CAREFUL WHAT PEOPLE CAN SEE IN YOUR CAR! THE PLAIN VIEW EXCEPTION TO POLICE SEARCHES IN ILLINOIS
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
Posted in moving violations, search of vehicle, speeding, traffic offenses
Tagged plain view exception, police searches, probable cause, warrantless searches
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