Posted on January 02, 2019 in Criminal Law

Getting pulled over by a police office is a nerve-wracking experience for most. Many people don’t know how they should act and aren’t aware of their rights. In this article, we’re going to talk about when you should call a lawyer when you’ve been pulled over.

Do You Need to Call a Lawyer

Obviously, not every pull over event requires the help of an attorney. If an office pulls you over for a broken tail light, writes you a ticket, and sends you on your way – it’s probably best to just pay the ticket and move on. But if you find yourself in a more serious situation, such as being tested for drunk driving, then you need to seriously consider involving an attorney.

What’s the Right Time?

If you’ve been charged with a crime, you have the right to consult with an attorney. But when exactly should you ask to speak with a lawyer? The short answer is – as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand your rights and prevent you from saying or doing something that may help the state’s case against you. If an officer places you under arrest, you should keep quiet and ask politely to speak with your attorney before giving the officer any additional information.

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 Posted on December 27, 2018 in Criminal Law

When you’re in need of an attorney, you want to make sure you hire someone you can trust. But with so many lawyers, it can be tough to decide who is a good fit. In this article, we are going to talk about some qualities to look out for in a great criminal or civil attorney.

Experienced

Experience goes a long way when it comes to representing clients in criminal and civil matters. An attorney who has been practicing law for the past decade is going to have a lot more knowledge of how the process works, as well as the idiosyncrasies of local prosecutors and judges, than a lawyer fresh out of law school. Additionally, make sure that your attorney practices the type of law that you need. Most private attorneys specialize in a specific area of law. So if you’ve been charged with a crime, look for a criminal lawyer.

Respected

You also want to make sure that your attorney is well-respected – both by their clients and their peers. Check the attorney’s website and see if they have testimonials from previous clients and other attorneys. Another great place to look for reviews is the attorney’s third-party online listings, such as their Google business listing, Yelp, Yellowpages, etc.

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 Posted on December 19, 2018 in DUI

When a police officer pulls you over (whether for suspected DUI, speeding, or another charge), it’s important to be aware of your rights so you can act accordingly. In this article, we are going to talk about the steps you should take if you’re ever pulled over by a police officer in Illinois.

5 Steps to Take

Here are five simple steps to take when an officer pulls you over:

1. Don’t Panic. Even though you may be freaking out on the inside, maintain a calm demeanor. Take deep breaths and relax as much as possible.
2. Be Polite. Be courteous to the officer and follow their basic instructions. Show them your license and registration when asked and keep your hands on the wheel at all times.
3. Keep Your Mouth Shut. Other than your basic identifying information, you are not required to answer any questions that the officer asks you. After you have provided your basic information, do not answer any of the officer’s questions and don’t try to “talk your way out” of the situation.

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 Posted on December 12, 2018 in Personal Injury

New research out of the University of Buffalo suggests that the price of your vehicle may help predict your likelihood of getting injured in a car crash. It may sound odd, but when you start to think about it, it makes sense. After all, if a Cadillac Escalade gets in a collision with a Fiat, odds are the driver of the SUV is going to walk away with fewer injuries than the person in the small car. Researchers also noted that vehicle type and total weight also play a significant role in predicting injuries.

“We found that vehicle type, curb weight and price are all significant predictors of personal injury cost,” said Dietrich Jehle, a professor of medicine and biomedical research at the University of Buffalo.

According to researchers:

• For every additional $10,000 you spend on your purchase price, injury likelihood drops by nearly 12 percent.
• For every 1,000-pound weight increase, vehicles were 19 percent safer.

“More expensive cars are typically safer in a crash due to the greater weight of the higher value vehicles, the presence of more sophisticated safety features and the fact that SUVs, which tend to be the safest vehicles on the road, are priced higher than the average passenger vehicle,” Jehle said. “In our study, we found that nearly one-third of this increased safety is due to the greater weight of the vehicle and 11 percent is a result of the type of vehicle driven such as an SUV versus a sub-compact. Sophisticated safety features can explain much of the remaining benefits.”

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 Posted on December 05, 2018 in Personal Injury

Ejection from a vehicle during a car crash is typically associated with the most severe types of injuries. That’s why it’s so important to always wear your seat belt when you’re in a moving vehicle. The problem is, not everyone buckles up all the time, and that can leave you susceptible to major injury. Today, we take a closer look at injuries caused by an ejection.

Car Ejection Causes

Most people believe an ejection occurs when an unbelted rider if thrown forward through the windshield, but that’s not always the case. A person can be ejected from the vehicle through the windshield, through a side window, or out the car door. Some factors that can contribute to an ejection include:

• Vehicle rollover
• Speed at the time of crash
• Seat belt malfunction
• Faulty door latches
• Weak side windows

There are two types of ejections a person can suffer during a car crash:

• Partial Ejection – As the name implies, when part of a body is thrown through the glass or outside the body of the car, this is known as a partial ejection.

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 Posted on November 28, 2018 in Personal Injury

A car accident is a physically and emotionally traumatic experience that can leave you asking the question, “Where do I go from here?” That’s why we’re here; to help you get on the road to recovery. Today, we share some tips for handling physical and legal issues after a car accident.

Steps To Take After a Car Accident

Here are some steps that can help you care for yourself after an auto accident.

1. See a Doctor – If you’ve suffered any type of injury, no matter how minor, it’s important to swing into an injury clinic. This is helpful for numerous reasons. First, they can help diagnose your injury, address your wounds and prescribe medication to assist in the healing process. Also, in the event that you want to file an injury claim, you’ll want to have had your immediate injuries documented by a physician.
2. Rest and Watch for Symptoms – The next thing you’ll want to do is take it easy for a few days and let your body recover. This is also a crucial time to listen to your body, as sometimes injuries and symptoms take a few days to arise after an accident. This is particularly true with concussions, so if you are feeling groggy, confused or have regular headaches, it’s probably worth another visit to a physician.

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 Posted on November 21, 2018 in Traffic violation

Drunk driving is a dangerous choice that can have fatal consequences, but thousands of people make the decision to drink and drive every day. To get a better idea of just how problematic drunk driving is in the United States, we’re sharing this infographic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Contact Appelman Law 

If you are in need of legal representation for a criminal or civil matter, look no further than the lawyers at Appelman Law. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience representing clients for a wide variety of charges – including dui, driving with a suspended license, drug crimes, and more. Contact us today at Appelman Law for a free initial consultation on your criminal or civil matter. Our office is in Naperville, but we represent clients throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

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 Posted on November 07, 2018 in Criminal Law

Most criminal cases do not go to trial in Illinois. This can happen for a variety of reasons. In this article, we are going to examine why this is the case.

Plea Deals & Case Strength

Often when the government does not have a strong case they make an offer to reduce the charges and give a small fine and much lighter punishment to the defendant. Since trials have uncertain outcomes, the defendant often opts to take the guarantee that the government offers. When the government has a strong case (video evidence, multiple eye witnesses, good forensic evidence, etc.), the defendant will often take the deal, or plead guilty and argue what an appropriate sentence would be.

Contact a Naperville Criminal Lawyer

At Appelman Law LLC, our attorneys have decades of experience assisting clients in criminal and civil matters. We can work with you to make sure that you know what’s happening and that you feel comfortable throughout the extent of your case. Contact us today at Appelman Law to set up your free consultation. Our office is located in Naperville, but we represent clients throughout the state of Illinois.

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 Posted on April 18, 2017 in Traffic violation

If you’re like most drivers, odds are you’ve spotted the red and blue cherries of a police cruiser in your rearview mirror at one point or another. Hopefully you weren’t going too far above the speed limit, but you can still end up schilling out hundreds of dollars even if you were only going a couple miles faster than the posted limit. Today, we take a closer look at the hidden costs of a speeding ticket, and we get to the bottom of the true cost of a speeding ticket in Illinois.

Speeding Ticket Cost In Illinois

Speeding costs typically vary a little throughout the state. Here’s a rough breakdown of the base fine you can be expected to pay based on your speed:

• 1 to 20 mph over the speed limit – $120 fine.

• 21 to 30 mph over the speed limit – $140 fine.

• 31 mph or more over the speed limit – $160 fine.

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 Posted on April 05, 2017 in Traffic violation

If you’ve been ticketed or charged with a crime, one of the first things you’re probably thinking about is whether or not it is in your best interest to hire an attorney. Yes, hiring an attorney will cost you money, but pleading guilty to a charge can cost you a lot more in the long run. Today, we help explain when it is worthwhile to hire an attorney.

Should I Hire A Criminal Defense Lawyer?

Since we are criminal defense lawyers, it is much easier for us to explain situations where it is in your best interest to hire an attorney. If your arrest involves any of these factors, it is likely a wise move to lawyer up.

1. Drugs/Drunk Driving – Although you may not need to serve jail time for some crimes involving drugs or drunk driving, a conviction can seriously impact your ability to get a job, keep a job, get into college or have your rental application approved. Don’t just pay the fine and try to keep the charge from being discovered, because it will show up on background checks.

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