CTA Crime Rates Up Drastically

The other day we posted a blog about a drop in the number of traffic deaths on Illinois roads. Today, the Chicago Sun-Times posted an article that is somewhat related to our blog. They report that from 2006 to 2008, the number of robberies reported on Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) trains, platforms and buses increased a whopping 77%. The number of thefts has increased by 6%. An example of a theft would be a pickpocket. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate in Illinois hit 9.3% and high gas prices have contributed in seeing ridership on the CTA buses and trains increasing by 6% from 2006 to 2008. Chicago police have responded to these increased numbers by conducting special undercover operations at certain high crime locations at certain peak times. The Chicago Police report that 4,933 arrests occurred in 2008 compared to 4,576 in 2007.

The reason we believe this article is related to Wednesday's post is that it illustrates how economic factors impact our travel habits. When job loses increase along with gas prices, fewer people drive their cars on the roads causing a drop in traffic deaths. Conversely, ridership on our public transportation systems increase causing an increase in crime on trains and buses.

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

Pedestrian Stings Begin

On Monday we posted a blog about the Chicago Police announcing that they will start undercover stings at intersections to nab drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians. Apparently, the police wasted no time. The Chicago Tribune reports that the first sting happened yesterday at the intersection of Nagle Avenue and Peterson Avenue. Police ticketed 18 motorists who failed to stop or slow down for undercover pedestrians in the crosswalk. Ample warning was given. Warnings were posted on this blog and on the Chicago Department of Transportation website. The Chicago Department of Transportation website has actual locations and times of planned undercover stings. Click here to see the sting schedule. The City has announced that at least 50 sting operations are planned throughout the city until fall of this year.

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

Illinois Traffic Deaths and Accidents Drop in 2008

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that 1,043 people died on Illinois roads last year, the lowest number since 1923. This represents a 16% decrease in traffic deaths from the year before. Nationally, the number of traffic deaths in 2008 were down 10.6% from the year before.

Our elected public officials, who are always eager to take credit for things like this, point to changes in traffic laws as the reason. They argue that the increased use of traffic safety checkpoints, mandatory seat belt laws, stricter DUI laws, requiring teens to wait nine months instead of three months to get their license, traffic cameras and stricter enforcement of existing laws are responsible for these lower numbers. However, a counter argument can be made that a slowing economy and high gas prices also played a role in the lower numbers. Officially, the number of vehicles on the road dropped by 2.4% nationally, and 2% in Illinois. Some people think this number is actually higher. Interestingly, these same public officials are unwilling to take responsibility for the slowing economy and the high gas prices.

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

Warning: Chicago About To Ramp-Up Booting Efforts

The City of Chicago is coming after motorists who have two or more unpaid parking tickets that are older than one year. In an effort to deal with a budget shortfall, the Chicago City Council lowered the threshold for the boot from five unpaid tickets to two. 65,318 notices have been mailed out by the city. About 415 vehicles have already been booted. This move by the City comes at a time of mounting layoffs and economic difficulties affecting the public.

After decades of mismanaging Chicago's budget, the City is now beginning it's assault on the motorists and taxpayers to clean up their mess. Apparently, the revenue from the red light cameras is not enough. We wonder what they will come up with next.

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

Judge Removes Public Defenders From Death Penalty Case

In a move that this author has never before heard of, a Cook County Judge removed the Public Defender from a case involving a Defendant facing the Death Penalty for murdering a Chicago police officer. The Defendant, Lamar Cooper, refused to disclose his assets to prove he was indigent. The Cook County Circuit Court Judge, Nicholas Ford, was seeking information regarding whether Cooper was truly indigent. Cooper asserted his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination and refused to fill out an Affidavit of Assets and Liabilities as usually required of indigent defendants as a condition of having a Public Defender appointed to represent them. It is virtually unheard of to have a defendant fill out an Affidavit of Assets and Liabilities in a Death Penalty case. However, after Cooper was arrested, investigators found $260,000 in cash in 2 safe-deposit boxes, a time-share condominium and an expensive SUV. Judge Ford apparently suspects that Cooper is hiding substantial assets. Prosecutors believe that Cooper is a drug dealer. The case is certain to go before the Illinois Supreme Court since it involves numerous tricky and novel issues of law. In the past few years, the Illinois Supreme Court has issued new rules and reforms designed to deal with the state's highly publicized troubles with it's Death Penalty system.

Judge Ford has been the subject a previous posting on our blog. On December 20, 2008 we posted a blog about how Judge Ford was able to nab a criminal that was tampering with his wife's car.

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

Supreme Court Limits Warrantless Search of Vehicles

Today, the United States Supreme Court issued a major decision impacting the warrantless search of a vehicle. In the case, Rodney Joseph Gant, had been pulled over in Arizona and arrested for driving with no license. He was handcuffed and placed in the back seat of the squad car. The arresting officers then searched his car and found illegal drugs and charged him with possession of drugs. The trial court allowed the seized drugs into evidence and Grant was convicted of the drug offense. The Arizona Court of Appeals overturned the conviction and in a 5 to 4 decision, the United States Supreme Court agreed. The Supreme Court ruled that when a suspect is locked up and secured in the squad car and poses no threat to anyone, the police need a warrant to conduct a search of the vehicle. It seems as if this decision places limits on the police's ability to search a vehicle, especially when the reason for the offense is nothing more serious than a traffic offense. The majority opinion indicated that the police would be justified in searching the vehicle if the passenger compartment is within reach of the subject and the officers had reason to believe that evidence of the crime for which the defendant was being arrested would be found within the vehicle. Unless those factors were present, the Court said that a warrant would be necessary to conduct a search of the vehicle.

This opinion seems to place restrictions on a "Search Incident to a Lawful Arrest." It seems that this decision will mainly affect individuals arrested for traffic offenses.

The case is Arizona v. Gant, 07-542.

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

Expungement Problems Persist

On December 10, 2008 we posted a blog about how the Illinois State Police have been refusing to enforce expungement orders issued by Judges. In January of this year, the Illinois State Police entered into a settlement with Cook County Chief Judge Paul Biebel and agreed to abandon this practice and to file any objections with the court and allow the judge to decide whether to grant the petition. You would think that this would put an end to this issue but it hasn't. About 1,800 orders issued between 2006 and 2008 have not been enforced. 900 orders issued between 1991 and 2006 have not been enforced and 5% of the orders issued in 2008 have not been enforced. There has been no agreement as to how to deal with those outstanding orders and class action lawsuits are now being threatened.

We direct you to read this excellent article from The Chicago Reporter which discusses this issue in great detail.

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