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Assault and battery are commonly misconstrued and incorrectly linked together as the same. A battery charge is a physical act of harming another individual. Assault is a verbal or other communication that leads a reasonable person to believe that battery may occur. Both of these charges have been in existence for years, however. With the emergence of the Internet and the advancements of social media, threatening behavior has a new outlet. This year, new laws make cyberstalking more than just annoying, it may be deemed and punished as a hate crime under the right circumstances.
Cyberstalking as a Hate Crime
The definition of cyberstalking is threatening behavior or unwanted advancements directed at someone else by using the Internet or other forms of online communications. It is deliberate, persistent, and personal.
Shoplifting is an epidemic throughout our country. Some individuals convicted of the crime explain they only did it to feed their families, indicating a community failure to aid those in need of assistance. Others do it for the sheer thrill of the experience. No matter the reason, statistics show shoplifting is only caught once in 48 incidents. Despite these dismal numbers, management watches security cameras only 1 percent of the time, enabling a new rise in shoplifting by customers and employees alike.
Sweetheart Shoplifting
“Sweethearting” is the term coined for incidents where an alleged thief pays for some but not all of his or her items. This maneuver is completed solely by the shopper, or while working in conjunction with the cashier. The two most common situations include the following:
The loss of one's driving privileges can present a considerable obstacle in daily life. While you once had reliable transportation for work and appointments, you must now rely on friends or public transport. Moreover, the loss of your driver's license can additionally result in showing up late to work, and thus decrease your employability. Unfortunately, driver’s license suspension or revocation does not always occur only because of poor driving habits. If you find yourself in financial hardship, licensure loss may follow.
What Actions Result in Suspension?
Driving under the influence is one recognizable behavior likely to result in a suspension of driving privileges. However, a there is a surprising list of other actions that result in a loss of driving rights but are not road-related.
The average lifespan lengthened tremendously over the last few decades with the assistance of medical advancements. However, with age also comes the general “wearing down” of the body, resulting in illness and disabilities. Only one in four adults over the age of 60 currently live on their own successfully, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
These statistics leave our nation’s aging population in the care of someone else. Many families have no choice but to accept their aging parents into their homes, regardless of relationship or financial status. Unfortunately, parents are reluctant to relinquish their title as “head of the household” to their adult children. Children, in return, struggle to cope with the change in family dynamics, often resulting in rising tensions and occasionally a domestic violence charge.
Common knowledge tells us that driving under the influence of alcohol endangers lives. However, drunk driving also has smaller potential repercussions. These consequences are not life-threatening, but they are life-altering and require heavy consideration before intentionally drinking and driving.
One question asked after a DUI arrest is if you will still have gainful employment if convicted. Can you lose your job because of a DUI?
Conviction is More Than a Fine and a Record
A DUI conviction frequently ends in more than a fine and a blemished driving record. Daily tasks such as going to work or grocery shopping become difficult to maneuver after licensure loss. Additionally, even an overnight stay in jail creates tension in social relationships. Insurance rates increase with a label of being a high driving risk. All of these repercussions exist without even discussing the impact on income.
Juveniles who find themselves on the wrong side of the law will have an easier time getting arrest records expunged under a new state law aimed at giving youth a second chance.
The law allows for juvenile criminal records to automatically be expunged for various circumstances without a petition brought by the individual. It also repeals provisions pertaining to court proceedings. At the same time, the law removes the requirement that an individual be 21 years old to be eligible for expungement by petition.
Under the law, records will be expunged after one year for arrests which occurred before an individual’s 18th birthday, if the offense was considered a Class 3 felony or would have been a lower offense if committed by an adult. If there was an adjudication of delinquency, records will be automatically expunged two years after the case was closed.
If you are caught driving on a suspended or revoked license in the state of Illinois, there may be very serious consequences that follow. You may lose future employment opportunities, lifelong driving privileges, and quality of life. Therefore, it is important to understand the consequences of driving on a suspended or revoked license, as to prevent lost opportunities in the future.
Consequences of Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License
A suspended or revoked license may result from driving under the influence. However, depending on how many times an individual is caught driving with a suspended or revoked license, the charges become more severe.
Domestic violence is a serious crime that can severely damage relationships with family, friends, significant others, and spouses. If you are convicted of domestic violence, you will face consequences that could destroy your quality of life—you may have a more difficult time obtaining employment, and may not be able to have contact with those whom you love.
Definition of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence occurs when a person knowingly causes bodily harm to any family or household member or makes physical contact of an insulting nature with any family or household member.
When a person is charged with domestic violence, he or she will face a Class A misdemeanor. If the offender has been previously convicted of domestic violence, then he or she will be charged with a Class 4 felony.
Illegally possessing a weapon is a serious crime that comes with unwanted consequences. Weapons are dangerous and can negatively affect the lives of others. If a weapon is used against a person, he or she may be seriously injured or even killed from injuries inflicted from the use of the weapon.
If you have been charged with illegally possessing a weapon, then you may face life-altering changes that may destroy your well-being, overall quality of life, and even future employment opportunities.
What Counts as a Weapons Charge?
The conviction of illegally possessing a weapon is when a person knowingly sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses, or carries the following:
Christmas is less than two weeks away, and most of us are now finishing up on our holiday shopping. Unfortunately, beginning around Black Friday and ending near Christmas Eve, far too many instances of retail theft occur. Being accused of shoplifting, price-switching, or other forms of retail theft can come with very serious consequences.
How Many People Shop During the Holiday Season?
Over 174 million Americans shop in-store and online from Black Friday to Cyber Monday. On Black Friday, around 77 million consumers shop for the holidays, and 55 million consumers go holiday shopping on Small Business Saturday. On average, Americans will spend around $967 for holiday gifts. Overall, holiday sales will equate to around $682 billion this holiday season.
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