East Central Illinois Criminal Law & DUI Weblog


This blog focuses posts on Illinois criminal law and related topics.

Author: A former prosecutor, Jeremy J. Richey is a solo practitioner with offices in Charleston and Ashmore, Ill.

Blawg Related Categories: Criminal Justice • States • Illinois • Solo / Small Firm

Recent Posts from East Central Illinois Criminal Law & DUI Weblog


  • Meth Warning Not Needed in Alcohol DUI Case

    Case Name:  People v. Tomczak (.pdf) Court: Appellate Court of Illinois, Second District Date Decision Filed: 11/19/09 In this rescission case, a police officer arrested the defendant for driving under the influence of alcohol.  The…

  • Arrested in College: The School of Hard Knocks

    I practice law in a college town.  Each school year, there are students who discover that their actions have consequences.  For example,  some find out that drug use leads to drug arrests; others discover that…

  • Victims Can’t Drop Charges

    There are times, usually in the domestic-battery context, when a victim does not want the government to prosecute a defendant.  The victim can ask the government to not prosecute the defendant, however, the government is…

  • Effingham County Government Center

    Entrance Visitors must enter through the doors pictured above (the set on the left) and then pass through security.  The address of the Effingham County Government Center is 120 W. Jefferson Ave., Effingham, IL 62401.…

  • Exclusionary Rule Requires Police Misconduct

    Case Name:  People v. McDonough (.pdf) Court: Appellate Court of Illinois, Fourth District Date Decision Filed: 10/20/09 In this case, the defendant’s car was parked on the slim shoulder of a dark and busy road. …

  • What Is Zero Tolerance DUI?

    Answer: Contrary to the popular belief of many minors, there is no such thing.  There is a zero tolerance driver’s license suspension (an action taken by the Illinois Secretary of State) and then there is…

  • A Profession of Tears

    I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.  My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for the day. – …

  • Police Kill Pastor

    Close your eyes.   Imagine that you just went in a gas station and used an ATM.  When you get back to your vehicle, a black Cadillac Escalade pulls up.   Strange men with guns approach you.  …

  • Bennett on Jury Selection

    Houston criminal defense lawyer Mark Bennett has started a series on jury selection on his Defending People weblog.   Mark is sharing good stuff; anyone who fancies himself or herself to be a trial lawyer should…

  • Successful Due Process Challenge to SSS

    Case Name:  People v. Miklos (.pdf) Court: Appellate Court of Illinois, Third District Date Decision Filed: 7/17/09 In this case, the defendant successfully challenged his statutory summary suspension on due process grounds.  Ordinarily, once a…