Domestic abuse continues to be a massive issue for law enforcement officials throughout the United States. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), approximately one million Americans are abused by an intimate partner, each year. Shockingly, an average of 20 Americans face domestic abuse, every single minute. If you have been abused by an intimate partner, it is incredibly important to contact the local police, and meet with a qualified domestic abuse lawyer. Coming forward about the domestic abuse you face in your relationship can be one of the most emotionally challenging moments in your life, but it can be paramount to ensuring the safety of you and your family.

Domestic Violence Can Lead to Fatal Injury

A qualified legal team can help you establish an order of protection, and in doing so protect you from your assailant. In cases of domestic abuse, it is important to react quickly and inform both law enforcement and your legal representatives of the true extent of the violence. Domestic violence can escalate from minor transgressions to life-threatening violence, rapidly. According to studies conducted by the NCADV, just under 20% of all domestic violence incidents involve use of a weapon. The likelihood of homicide increases by a staggering 500% when a gun is present during the violence. Despite the life-threatening nature of domestic abuse cases, only 34% of people injured by an intimate partner, ever receive medical attention for the injuries they have suffered.

Every year, thousands of American couples elect to separate and file for divorce. While the divorce process can be a painful transition, a divorce can lead to much-needed independence, a newly invigorated lifestyle, and another chance at finding love. When children are involved, divorce can come with complications. Despite the misconception that a child is better off in a household with two parents, even if the relationship is unhealthy, it is never healthy for a child to experience a marital relationship that is no longer functioning.

If your relationship with your spouse is no longer healthy, it is incredibly likely that you are no longer operating as a healthy parenting team. All that said, life as a sole-custodial parent can be highly stressful. Nothing causes single parents as much stress as questions of financial security. If you believe you are entitled to child support payments from your former spouse, it is time to contact a quality legal team.

While some people believe that a retail theft charge can only come with limited consequences, this notion could not be further from the truth. In all actuality, even the most minor of retail theft convictions can come with life-changing legal implications. The theft of a retail item, worth $300 or less, can result in a Class A misdemeanor, a fine of more than $2,000, and a potential jail sentence of up to one year in prison. Every year, thousands of Illinoisans are accused of retail theft. If you have been arrested on accusations of shoplifting, contact a qualified criminal defense team, as quickly as possible.

Understanding Illinois Theft Laws

According to Illinois state law, shoplifting is defined as the crime of possessing or transferring an item while depriving the merchant of the full value of the product. The legal consequences of a retail theft conviction depend on a number of factors, primarily the value of the product, and the number of prior convictions.

Everyone makes mistakes, unfortunately, some mistakes come with severe consequences. For those that elect to drive while under the influence of alcohol, the mistake of getting behind the wheel can be life-altering. Driving under the influence can result in a fatal car accident, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that over 10,000 Americans were fatally injured in automobile accidents involving alcohol, throughout 2016.

While not all drivers that make the decision to drive while inebriated, take their own life or the life of another, many are arrested on charges of driving under the influence. In 2016 alone, over 1 million Americans were convicted of DUI charges. Understanding the implications of a DUI conviction may keep you from getting behind the wheel of a car. That said, if you have been accused of driving under the influence, it is time to seek out a legal team you can trust.

Your vehicle is likely one of your largest investments. Imagine walking out of your house, job, or another location you frequent and finding out that your vehicle is not where you left it. Believe it or not, vehicle theft is a common occurrence.

In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA found that approximately 750,000 drivers experience vehicle theft. The NHTSA also discovered that Illinois was ranked among the top 10 states for the most stolen vehicles in 2016.