Chicago red light cameras scheme constitutionalBy Patti Gregory-ChangAdministrative Law, March 2009In Chicago, red light cameras take pictures of cars whose drivers run red lights and make illegal turns at intersections. Owners of vehicles, with the exception of leased vehicles, are liable for tickets.
Supreme Court broadens law enforcement investigatory powersBy Michael D. BersaniLocal Government Law, March 2009In an historical decision rendered on January 26, 2009, the United States Supreme Court in Arizona v. Johnson, unanimously upheld the authority of the police to “stop and frisk” a passenger detained pursuant to a valid traffic stop, when the officer reasonably suspects that the person is armed and dangerous but does not suspect criminal activity.
Minimal property damage as evidence of non-injuryBy John B. KincaidCivil Practice and Procedure, December 2008Despite the youth of the century, the Twenty-First has already spawned six cases from four Appellate Court districts dealing with defense efforts to establish lack of plaintiff’s injury by showing minimal vehicle contact.
Frye on HGN—Part IBy Edward M. MaloneyTraffic Laws and Courts, September 2008Everyone in the DUI field knows that the Supreme Court, in People v. McKown, ordered a Frye hearing on whether the HGN test had been generally accepted as a reliable indicator of alcohol impairment.
Illinois Supreme Court extends “Hot Pursuit” Doctrine to include misdemeanorsBy Ashley KwasneskiTraffic Laws and Courts, September 2008In People v. Wear, 2008 WL 2840571 (Ill.Sup.Ct. 2008), the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the defendant’s driving under the influence conviction finding that probable cause existed to place him under arrest while the defendant was still in a public place and that the defendant’s subsequent arrest inside his home was justified by the “hot pursuit” doctrine.
Legal issues to be aware of in representing drivers under age 21By Steve BakerTraffic Laws and Courts, September 2008Two traffic “convictions” within any two year period results in a 3-month license suspension (as opposed to 3 convictions in one year for an adult). 625 ILCS 5/6-206 (a) 36.
New MDDP rulesBy Edward M. MaloneyTraffic Laws and Courts, September 2008Starting January 1, 2009, Judicial Driving Permits will go the way of the dinosaur having been destroyed by the MADD comet.
Physical actions control verbal responses in determining a refusal in statutory summary suspension hearingsBy J. Brick Van Der SnickTraffic Laws and Courts, September 2008People v. Severson, 379 Ill. App. 3d 699 (2nd Dist 2008). On March 7, 2008 the Illinois Appellate Court Second District, affirmed the judgment of the Circuit Court of DeKalb County, Illinois granting defendant’s petition to rescind statutory summary suspension.
Recent traffic casesBy James J. Ahern & Thomas M. MoranTraffic Laws and Courts, June 2008According to the First District Appellate Court, a defendant’s right to a speedy trial is not violated when, after charging the defendant with domestic battery and aggravated battery upon a police officer, prosecutors withdrew, or nolle-prossed the charges after the defendant demanded trial and later re-filed a charge of aggravated battery after the defendant was released from the Illinois Department of Corrections for a parole violation. People v. Castillo, 372 Ill.App.3d 77, 865 N.E.2d 208, 309 Ill.Dec.845 (1st Dist 2007).
New legislationBy Steve BakerTraffic Laws and Courts, February 2008Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that in cases involving reckless homicide in which the defendant unintentionally kills an individual while driving in a posted school zone or in a construction or maintenance zone, the trier of fact may infer that the defendant’s actions were performed recklessly where he or she was also either driving at a speed of more that 20 miles per hour in excess of the posted speed limit or violation the DUI provisions of the Illinois Vehicle code.
Recent traffic casesBy James J. Ahern & Thomas M. MoranTraffic Laws and Courts, February 2008Section 12-503(c) of the Illinois Vehicle Code prohibits a person from operating a vehicle: …with any objects placed or suspended between the driver and the front windshield, rear window, side wings or side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver which materially obstructs the driver’s view. (Emphasis added).
Did People v. McKown “Frye” the HGN test?By Christopher B. KlisTraffic Laws and Courts, December 2007The old saying be careful of what you ask for because you just might get it, applies to all DUI practitioners. If you object at trial to the admission of the HGN based on Frye, be prepared to conduct a full hearing regarding the test. The attorneys from both sides who are the first to conduct a full Frye hearing regarding the admission of the HGN, will inevitably change the course of future DUI trials in the state.
Recent traffic casesBy James J. Ahern & Thomas M. MoranTraffic Laws and Courts, December 2007The trial court has authority to order that bond funds be used to provide restitution notwithstanding the fact that the bond is posted by someone other than the defendant.
Legislative update: Ten new Public Acts that affect general practiceBy J.A. SebastianGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, November 2007The following is a summary of recent legislative action of interest to members of the ISBA General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm Section.
High-speed pursuits after Scott v. HarrisBy Jenette M. SchwemlerLocal Government Law, August 2007This article examines the reasoning behind the Supreme Court’s decision, as well as implications it has on current policies and procedures involving high-speed pursuits.
Recent cases and cases of interestBy James J. Ahern & Thomas M. MoranTraffic Laws and Courts, August 2007Recent traffic cases of interest.
Vehicle title transfer tax trapBy Paul OsbornFamily Law, July 2007Advising clients of the tax consequences of each element of a settlement agreement requires counsel to complete the daunting task of actually reading and understanding more than just the relevant provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, its Regulations and Tax Court Interpretations.
Recent cases and cases of interestBy James J. AhernTraffic Laws and Courts, June 2007Section 6-303 of the Illinois Vehicle Code prohibits a person from driving a vehicle while the driver’s license is suspended or revoked.
Can a single strand of beads hanging from the rearview mirror form the basis for a legitimate traffic stop?By J. Brick Van Der SnickTraffic Laws and Courts, March 2007In People v. Ronald Cole, the Illinois Appellate Court for the Fourth District held that a single strand of beads hanging from a defendant’s rearview mirror, without materially obstructing the defendant’s view, could not form a legitimate basis for a traffic stop of the defendant.
Case summaryBy David B. FranksTraffic Laws and Courts, March 2007On August 18, 2002 the Defendant, Catherine Sturgess, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
New law abolishes judicial driving permitsBy Edward M. MaloneyTraffic Laws and Courts, March 2007Recently, MADD, AAIM and other support groups came to the conclusion that the increased use of BAIID or SCRAM devices would reduce the DUI recidivist rate.
Recent cases and cases of interestBy James J. Ahern & Thomas M. MoranTraffic Laws and Courts, March 2007In People v. Brady, No. 02-04-1281, ___ Ill.App.2d ___, ___ N.E.2d ___, ___ Ill.Dec. ___ (2nd Dist. 2007), Defendant was charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving death of a person, aggravated reckless driving and drag racing.
The saga of admissibility of vehicular post-collision photographs continuesBy Stephen C. BuserCivil Practice and Procedure, March 2007The First District Appellate Court decided nearly four years ago in Dicosola v. Bowman, 342 Ill.App. 3d 530, 794 N.E. 2d 875, 276 Ill.Dec.625 (1st Dist. 2003) that vehicular post-collision photographs were not admissible in automobile accident litigation absent expert testimony.
