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.

WHAT IF MY FRIEND WAS TOO DRUNK TO DRIVE?

Posted on March 19, 2023 by mdkeenan

One night you went to a birthday party.  The friend who drove you started a drinking game. While you only had two or three drinks yourself, your friend had many more and became too drunk to drive.  So you offered … Continue reading →

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CAN BACK TROUBLE AFFECT YOUR DUI?

Posted on March 10, 2023 by mdkeenan

You hurt your back at work.  It didn’t stop you from going to your boss’s birthday party, but you only had two beers  and then the police stopped you for speeding.  You really were okay to drive, but you had … Continue reading →

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DEFENSES TO DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED/REVOKED LICENSE

Posted on February 19, 2023 by mdkeenan

In Illinois, driving on a suspended/revoked license is a difficult charge to fight.  On a first offense, the state need only prove that you were driving and that your license was suspended or revoked.  However, you may still have a … Continue reading →

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DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED OR REVOKED LICENSE IN ILLINOIS

Posted on February 10, 2023 by mdkeenan

First time driving on a suspended or revoked license is a Class A Misdemeanor in Illinois.  The offense becomes a Class 4 Felony (1) on a second or later offense if your driving proximately caused a crash that resulted in … Continue reading →

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YOUR RIGHT TO COMMUNICATE WHILE IN POLICE CUSTODY IN ILLINOIS

Posted on January 23, 2023 by mdkeenan

  Under 725 ILCS 5/103-3.5, you have the right to communicate free of charge with an attorney of your choice and members of your family as soon as possible upon being taken into police custody, but no later than 3 … Continue reading →

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CAN I BE CONVICTED OF DUI IF I DIDN’T TAKE ANY FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS?

Posted on January 13, 2023 by mdkeenan

The answer depends on your specific circumstances. Did your driving show impairment?  Did you behave in a calm and controlled manner with police?  Were you stumbling to get out of the car?  Is your voice slurred on the evidence video? … Continue reading →

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IS MY DUI COURT HEARING ON ZOOM?

Posted on December 30, 2022 by mdkeenan

Zoom Court was first initiated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Court business could thus continue, while keeping everybody safe.  Now, effective New Years Day, 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court has made remote hearings permanent.  Revised Illinois Supreme Court Rule … Continue reading →

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DID POLICE HAVE PROBABLE CAUSE BEFORE YOUR ARREST?

Posted on December 23, 2022 by mdkeenan

Before you can be arrested for DUI, police must have probable cause.  But at what point are you considered under arrest? In Illinois, you are under arrest when your freedom of movement has been restrained by means of physical force … Continue reading →

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CAN POLICE SEARCH MY CAR BECAUSE I’M NERVOUS?

Posted on December 12, 2022 by mdkeenan

Without more, the answer is probably not.  Under Illinios law, nervousness by itself does not give an officer probable cause for the search. While most police searches require a warrant, there is an exception for automobiles. Under that exception, law … Continue reading →

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CAN POLICE SEARCH MY HOSPITAL ROOM WITHOUT A WARRANT? PART II

Posted on November 23, 2022 by mdkeenan

In our April 20, 2021 post, we discussed People v. Pearson in which the court held that police could not search a defendant’s hospital room without a warrant because the defendant had a reasonable expectation of privacy in his hospital … Continue reading →

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