Across Illinois, Ring doorbells and other home surveillance systems have become as common as the porch lights they often sit beside. These devices capture everything from package thefts to neighborhood scuffles. Police and prosecutors increasingly seek out this footage, using it to identify suspects, build timelines, and support charges. But how reliable is doorbell video…
Police dogs are powerful tools in Illinois law enforcement. They can detect drugs, weapons, and even explosives, and their alerts often give police the legal justification to search a vehicle, home, or person. But even highly skilled police K9s aren’t infallible. Handlers make mistakes, dogs can be influenced, and sometimes K-9 units alert even when…
One of the most important things to remember when facing police questioning in Illinois is simple: Do not talk without a lawyer. Too many people believe that if they are innocent, they have nothing to fear from explaining themselves. In reality, statements made to police are rarely taken at face value. They are dissected, recorded,…
Smartwatches, fitness bands, and health apps have become intertwined with daily life, tracking our steps, heart rate, sleep patterns, and even location. These devices are convenience tools—but they also generate personal data. In Illinois, prosecutors have begun seeking this data in criminal cases, arguing it can reveal whereabouts, physical exertion, or even mood. Yet using…
Social media drives today’s teenage culture—spawning viral dances, pranks, challenges and memes that spread nationwide in hours. Many of these challenges appear harmless, silly, even empowering. Yet increasingly, teens in Illinois are finding themselves drawn into serious legal consequences for chasing likes. What begins as harmless fun can turn into criminal charges, juvenile hearings, or…
Smartphones are windows into private lives—texts, photos, location history, banking apps, medical records, and more. When police in Illinois seek to search a phone with a search warrant, the legal stakes are high. Courts must balance investigative needs with constitutional protections under the Fourth Amendment and state precedents. This deep dive explores how Illinois courts…
Allegations of nonconsensual sharing of intimate images are among the most damaging charges a person can face in Illinois. They threaten careers, reputations, and personal relationships, often before a judge or jury evaluates a single piece of evidence. Prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively, jurors may assume guilt, and the emotional stakes are high. Yet the…
Confessing to a crime is often seen as the ultimate proof of guilt. Jurors, judges, and prosecutors all tend to place enormous weight on a defendant’s own words. Yet history shows that confessions can be misleading. A false confession occurs when someone admits to a crime they did not commit. It may seem unthinkable, but…
In 2025, license plate readers are everywhere in Illinois. Mounted on patrol cars, stoplights, highway overpasses, and city intersections, they capture millions of scans every day. These systems automatically photograph license plates, convert the images into data, and log the time and location. Police officers use that information to find stolen vehicles, track suspects, and…
As of 2025, nearly every sworn law enforcement officer in Illinois is required to wear a body camera. What began as a pilot program in a handful of agencies is now the statewide standard. That means body camera footage is now a common feature in criminal trials, civil lawsuits, and even routine hearings across Illinois….
