Drug Crimes Legal Questions

  Although you posted this some time ago, if the situation has not been resolved, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. It is unclear from your question, what may have happened three years ago and whether it is still within the statute of limitations to be prosecuted.   Persons under investigation should never negotiate with law enforcement without the benefit of experienced counsel. Please contact an attorney as soon as possible.   Lori G. Levin Attorney at Law 180 N. LaSalle, Suite 3700 Chicago, IL 60601 312-972-3756 levin@lorilevinlaw.com www.lorilevinlaw.com... Read More

   Although you posted this some time ago, you state that you have an attorney. You should contact your attorney who can advise you with regards to every aspect of your case. This is a public forum, where the postings are not confidential and the answers do not constitute legal advise. You should assume if the bond conditions state drug testing each court date that they mean drug testing each court date.    Please contact your attorney. Lori G. Levin Attorney at Law 180 N. LaSalle, Suite 3700 Chicago, IL 60601 312-972-3756 levin@lorilevinlaw.com www.lorilevinlaw.com... Read More

   You are 17 years old and have been charged with crimes as well as traffic offenses. You need to obtain an attorney as soon as possible who can provide you with legal advice. The evidence, including any and all police reports, need to be evaluated. The attorney can best advise you of any possible pre-trial motions, any plea offers, or whether your case is a triable case.    Please understand that this is a general answer and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Lori G. Levin Attorney at Law 180 N. LaSalle, Suite 3700 Chicago, IL 60601 312-972-3756 levin@lorilevinlaw.com www.lorilevinlaw.com... Read More

   A judge may or may not allow a private attorney to file an appearance in an ongoing case. If the case is relatively new, the court may be more inclined to allow a private counsel to file an appearance. If the trial has been set, the court may feel that changing counsel is a dilatory tactic. If the trial is in progress, the assistant public defender will continue until the trial is completed. If a defendant has been found not guilty, it is over. If he is found guilty, a private attorney may be allowed to file an appearance for purpose of the motion for a new trial, sentencing and/or appeal.    In order to make the determination, please contact private counsel of your choice who can best advise you if it is feasible to represent your son. Lori G. Levin Attorney at Law 180 N. LaSalle, Suite 3700 Chicago, IL 60601 312-972-3756 levin@lorilevinlaw.com www.lorilevinlaw.com... Read More

   Although some time has elapsed, if you have not done so, you should immediately contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. The law of search and seizure is very complex and rests, in part, on the facts alleged by both sides. You do not state how or why the police were in the premises and if they had a right to be there. Although the police may have had the power to arrest the inhabitants immediately, they did not have to do so.    If you know, as in this instance, that you are under investigation, an experienced attorney can assist you. Furthermore, you should not discuss the matter with law enforcement until you have obtained counsel. Lori G. Levin Attorney at Law 180 N. LaSalle, Suite 3700 Chicago, IL 60601 312-972-3756 levin@lorilevinlaw.com www.lorilevinlaw.com... Read More

  It may be difficult, and expensive, to find a rehab program that will be acceptable to the court. That being said, many hospitals offer such programs with aftercare. Some health insurance programs may cover such costs.   The court is familiar with the program at the Cook County Department of Corrections and the aftercare monitored by TASC (Treatment Alternatives against Street Crime). TASC, whose administrative offices are located at 1500 N. Halsted in Chicago, may also be a good resource, not only for alternative programs but also to explain their services.   Your friend should contact his attorney to discuss his options as well as to gain a thorough understanding of what occurred at the 402 conference. The 402 is a plea conference, under Illinois Supreme Court 402. If the charges will be reduced, it is generally discussed during the plea conference. The State's Attorney's Office generally does not reduce charges unless and until there is a plea pursuant to the conference. Only your friend's attorney can discuss the conference with him and any and all plea offers. Lori G. Levin Attorney at Law 180 N. LaSalle, Suite 3700 Chicago, IL 60601 312-972-3756 levin@lorilevinlaw.com www.lorilevinlaw.com... Read More

You could be found responsible for the underage drinking of your friends if you don't take appropriate safeguards to preclude it.  See http://fairlielaw.net/practice-areas/underage-drinking/ Steven F. Fairlie, Esq.Fairlie & Lippy, P.C.1501 Lower State Road, Suite 304North Wales, PA 19454voice: (215) 997-1000fax: (215) 997-1777steve@fairlielaw.netwww.fairlielaw.net... Read More

Your remedy is to go to trial.  You should consult an attorney to find out if that is a good idea.  Learn more about the juvenile system here:  http://fairlielaw.net/practice-areas/juvenile-court/ Steven F. Fairlie, Esq.Fairlie & Lippy, P.C.1501 Lower State Road, Suite 304North Wales, PA 19454voice: (215) 997-1000fax: (215) 997-1777steve@fairlielaw.netwww.fairlielaw.net  ... Read More

This is a very common question with a complicated answer.  The law has been changing a lot over the last few years and although the standard advice years ago was to ask to "plead it down" to Disorderly Conduct, that advice is now not always the best if you would like to keep your record clean.  Read the full details here: http://fairlielaw.net/practice-areas/underage-drinking/ Steven F. Fairlie, Esq.Fairlie & Lippy, P.C.1501 Lower State Road, Suite 304North Wales, PA 19454voice: (215) 997-1000fax: (215) 997-1777steve@fairlielaw.netwww.fairlielaw.net  ... Read More

Unfortunately, the only crimes in Missouri that can be expunged (removed) from your record are a first offense Driving While Intoxicated, and a first offense Minor in Possession of Alcohol.  Sorry. Andrew D. PopplewellEng & Woods Law Firm903 E. AshColumbia, MO 65201573-874-4190573-874-4192 (fax)apopplewell@engandwoods.com... Read More

It depends on what jurisdiction, but most likely your bond would be revoked by the judge and you would be returned to custody.  They may set a higher bond at that point, or they might not set another bond. Thanks, Andrew D. PopplewellEng & Woods Law Firm903 E. AshColumbia, MO 65201573-874-4190573-874-4192 (fax)apopplewell@engandwoods.com This response does not create an attorney/client relationship.... Read More

The following response is intended for general information purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice. The best method of tracking down an attorney's contact information is through the North Carolina State Bar.  This link will take you straight to the North Carolina State Bar Lawyer Directory.  If you know any of the attorney's name, this would be the best method of tracking them down.  You may also contact the bar at (919) 828-4620.  Other general methods of tracking down the attorney's contact information would be through Google and lawyers.com.  If you do not know the attorney's name or contact information you may need to start at either the local Clerk's office for the county in which the original matter was handled or at the local Public Defender's office, if the case was handled by court-appointed counsel.  The following link is to the roster of North Carolina Public Defender's offices.  If it was not court-appointed, the following link will help you to find the contact information for the local Clerk's office.  Simply contact them and provide them with your son's name.  They should be able to track down the attorney that made an appearance on the case.... Read More

If the search warrant was valid, then the police had a right to be there. At that point, everyone else lost their privacy rights. If they get in lawfully, whether by a search warrant or because one of the people in the house welcome them in, they have the right to see what they see, within the limits of the warrant or invitation.  ... Read More

First of all, there is no such thing as an attorney who “wins all cases.”  It just doesn’t happen. If an attorney promises you a particular outcome on a criminal case run the other way and report him/her to the bar association!               It seems you are looking to get your criminal record expunged or sealed. That area of law in Ohio is a bit complex and is available only to first offenders. While, at first blush, you do not appear to be eligible there are sometimes procedural moves an attorney can make, depending on the client’s particular situation, that would make the client eligible for expungement. I have had success, as have some of my peers, doing this in the past but it is significantly more work and there is – as any honest attorney will tell you – no guarantee of any particular outcome. ... Read More