It took me a little while to calm down before I wrote this post.  Recently an Officer was accused of falsifying police reports in DUI arrests.  I personally know people this officer has ruined  the lives of.  Ms. Alvarez determined she did not have a strong case to go in on.

However, why does she continue to prosecute clients of mine when she does not have any evidence?

On more than one occasion Assistant State’s Attorneys in Cook County will utter phrases like “I know I don’t have the proof, but my supervisor won’t let me drop it.”

I have DUIs that go to trial with no field sobriety or breathalyzer tests only the word of the officer that he/she smelled alcohol.  Usually these cases are dismissed by the judge, but defendants still have to go through the time and expense of trial even when there is no case.

I ask people to remember this when she comes up for re-election.  I understand a prosecutor is supposed to be tough, but if she is going to pursue cases that are weak on some fronts shouldn’t she pursue those cases which may be unpopular as well?

Illinois now bans texting while driving and imposes a fine of $75.  However, multiple law enforcement sources are commenting on the virtual impossibility of proving their case in court.  The Springfield Journal-Register is reporting here, that law enforcement right now can not determine people are texting and that State’s Attorneys are unwilling to subpoena the records to prove the case.  Once again Springfield has a law on the books that only complicates our lives instead of simplifying them.

In short the message here is having a qualified attorney there at the time your going to court could save you a mark on your record.

I would like to give Rep Jack D. Franks a little shout out. Rep. Franks a Democrat from Woodstock has taken to task the revenue from Red Light Cameras.  He introduced legislation (HB4686) that would lower the maximum fine from $100 to $50.  While I wish he would introduce legislation that ban these out right we can all agree that Springfield would not let that happen.  So here is to Rep. Franks and his effort to make driving a little easier in our state.