Illinois Traffic Laws

By Steve Haney posted in Illinois Traffic Laws on Thursday, July 21, 2011 Illinois traffic laws have become much more harsh in the last few years.  From speeding tickets to DUI charges, penalties have increased significantly.  Speeding used to be just that – speeding.  Now, anytime someone exceeds the speed limit by 30 mph or more in Will County, Illinois, the case will be transferred to the same courtroom where DUI’s and Revoked License charges are prosecuted. Thats because the offense isContinue reading

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt – Casey Anthony Trial Revisited

By Steve Haney posted in In the News on Sunday, July 17, 2011 The burden on the government to prove a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt was previously highlighted by a case widely discussed in the news: the Casey Anthony trial.  The verdict was extremely unpopular for obvious reasons.  A young child died with her death covered-up by her mother.  Why would a mother cover-up the death of her own child, unless she was involved in the death? Very possibly because sheContinue reading

Drug Possession

By Steve Haney posted in Drug Possession on Sunday, July 17, 2011 Every drug possession charge is a felony offense in Illinois, with the exception of marijuana possession of less than 30 grams.  Of course, no one wants to deal with the repercussions of a felony conviction, if it can be avoided. For most felony drug possession charges, there are defense options to position the case to avoid any felony conviction from occurring.  This includes charges for the most commonly abused drugsContinue reading

Will County Domestic Battery

By Steve Haney posted in Will County Domestic Battery on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 An arrest for a Will County domestic battery always follows an emotionally charged event between loved ones.  Whether it is husband – wife, boyfriend – girlfriend, parent – child, emotions are always at a peak.  It is also an event that has immediate repurcussions.  Appearance before a judge is mandatory, which usually means a night in the Will County jail.  This is followed by a no contact order that prohibitsContinue reading

Illinois Drivers License Reinstatement

By Steve Haney posted in Illinois Drivers License Reinstatement on Thursday, July 14, 2011 The key to obtaining your Illinois drivers license reinstatement is by having an understanding about the actual nature of a formal hearing itself. Typically, a person needing a formal hearing has had, at least, 2 DUI arrests.   Most people wrongly assume the hearing is about drinking and driving.  It is not.  The hearing is all about the individuals “problem” with alcohol. That problem is going to fallContinue reading

Expunging a Criminal History

By Steve Haney posted in Expunging a Criminal History on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 Anyone who enters the Will County criminal justice system wishes to exit it in a position to erase any evidence of a criminal history.  This is accomplished by a court order that allows for expunging a criminal history.  An expungement is a total erasing of any indictation that an arrest and court case ever existed. Cases that can be expunged promptly include any arrest that did not result in theContinue reading

Defending a DUI Case

By Steve Haney posted in Defending a DUI case on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 I defended a DUI case for a client this morning in a bench trial.  After a rear end car accident, my client was arrested for DUI by the Plainfield Police Department.  The trial lasted for approximately 25 minutes with a finding of not guilty. The client had the presence of mind to refuse all requests for sobriety testing.  This included declining the request of the police officer to perform field sobriety tests,Continue reading

Supreme Court considers child pornography liability issue

On behalf of Law Office of Steven Haney posted in Child Pornagraphy on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 Last month, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could impact certain sex offender defendants in significant financial ways. Specifically, the Court has been asked to decide the issue of full versus fractional financial liability in a case involving child pornography. The case before the Court involves a woman named Amy. Amy was abused as a child. The sexual images taken ofContinue reading

The Shame of a Criminal Defense Attorney

By Steve Haney posted in Hiring Competent Counsel on Sunday, February 9, 2014 Murder, sexual assault, drug delivery, …  I have been involved in my share of court cases defending individuals charged with such offenses.   A common question in casual conversation asked of me is “how can you represent those people?”  It is, typically, asked with a tone suggesting I should bow my head in shame upon providing an answer. But, my head does not lower in shame, as there is no shame.  I have practiced criminalContinue reading

Illinois’ Firearms Concealed Carry Act – The Basics

By Steve Haney posted in In the News on Sunday, February 2, 2014 The Illinois legislature has now enacted the Firearms Concealed Carry Act. Illinois has now joined the rest of the United States in allowing the concealed carry of a handgun. An Illinois concealed carry permit allows a person to have a loaded or unloaded handgun to be carried: on the person either completely, or mostly, concealed from public view, or on or about the person within a vehicle and concealed from public view. AContinue reading