Department of Justice Wants to Track Cell Phones Without Warrant

Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that the police must obtain a warrant before attaching a GPS device to a citizen's vehicle, the Justice Department has let it be known that the new preferred method for spying on people is to track a person's location via their cell phone.  The issue was raised earlier this month when a congressional panel held hearings to discuss the need to conduct such cell phone tracking without the need to obtain a warrant.  The Justice Department argued that requiring a warrant before tracking a persons location via their cell phone would "cripple" law enforcement.  It turns out that America's cell phone companies are cooperating with law enforcement and handing over this information without hesitation.  They have even set up special divisions and even prepared manuals that assist law enforcement in obtaining tracking information.  Your cell phone company is selling you out without us knowing.  At the hearing, the representative from the Justice Department told the panel that they recommend that warrants be obtained to access this information whenever possible but that it depends on each case and varies from state to state and from courthouse to courthouse.  Proponents of restrictions argue that Congress needs to get involved to pass a uniform set of rules and requirements that would be applied equally throughout the country.

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.legaldefenderspc.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.

Pontiac Warden Under Investigation

The Chicago Tribune reports today that the warden of Pontiac Correctional Center is under investigation by the Illinois State Police.  Randy Pfister, the acting warden at Pontiac was arrested Thursday night and placed under administrative leave.  The Livingston County State's Attorney's Office refused to comment as did a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Corrections.  The only information they divulged was that a special prosecutor will be appointed to handle the case.  Pfister was released was the Livingston County jail without posting a bond.

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.legaldefenderspc.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.

Connecticut Approves Medical Marijuana

Connecticut has become the 17th state to approve the use of medical marijuana.  The measure was approved by the Connecticut State Senate on a 21 to 13 vote.  The Connecticut measure would set up 10 secure cultivation centers throughout the state.  Growers will be required to pay $25,000 up front and show that they will be able to sustain a business model that makes it profitable for them.  Patients will have to be certified to be eligible for medical marijuana by their doctors and will have to pay a $25 fee to participate in the program.  Participants will be allowed to get the marijuana from this network of growers.  Use of the marijuana is only limited to patients who have cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, epilepsy, malnutrition, wasting disease, Crohn's Disease and post traumatic stress disorder.

There is no word yet on whether medical marijuana will be approved in Illinois.

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.legaldefenderspc.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.

Kane County Announces Second Chance Felony Drug Program

Yesterday, the Kane County State's Attorneys Office has announced the creation of a Second Chance Felony Drug Program for Kane County cases.  The Kane County State's Attorneys Office already has Diversion Programs for domestic battery cases and for misdemeanor drug cases.  I have had clients placed into these programs.  Like the domestic battery and misdemeanor drug programs the Second Chance Felony Drug Program will give participants a chance to avoid a criminal record.  It will be open to people arrested for small amounts of drugs who do not have any criminal record and meet all the other requirements of the program. People who enter the program will be required to go through a year long drug education program and undergo random drug testing.  Those who successfully complete the program will have the charges against them dismissed and will be allowed to expunge their record.  The entire cost of the program will be paid for by the fines, fees and costs that are collected from the program participants who will be required to pay about $2,100 to go through the program.

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.legaldefenderspc.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.