Posted on January 12, 2015 in Real Estate

Illinois Real Estate Attorney Matthew R Gebhardt discusses the contract negotiating process in Illinois.

So you have found your new home. Next step is to sign the contract and go to the closing right? Unfortunately, buying a home is usually not that simple. In this series of blog posts, Illinois Real Estate Lawyer Matthew R Gebhardt will examine the process of home buying in Illinois from start to Finish.

Part 1:

Contract Negotiation

Once you find the property you wish to purchase, you will have to make an offer. Many things must be considered when determining what amount to offer for a property. Some of the most important are:

1. Property Condition
2. Property Tax Amount
3. Schools and amenities near the property.
4. Commute time to work and schools
5. Neighborhood crime statistics
6. Utility bills
7. Association dues if applicable

Once you have taken all of the above into consideration, you should base your offer on a figure that assumes you will receive no further concessions from the seller. Often times buyers assume a seller will fix a leaning fence or repair bad plumbing. Do not make this mistake. Your offer should assume that you are buying the house in “as-is” condition. Do not make the mistake of over-inflating your offer by 10 thousand dollars because you assume the seller will be undertaking repairs or offering you repair credits. Make and offer that you are comfortable with assuming you are buying the house “as-is”.

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 Posted on December 20, 2014 in DUI

A DUI conviction in Illinois can mean a licenses suspension of up to one year for a first offense. However, if you agree to have a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device installed in your vehicle, you can stay on the road.

How It Works

Colloquially known as a “blow and go,” a BAIID is essentially a portable breathalyzer that is connected to the vehicle’s ignition switch. A fuel cell inside the device analyzes the driver’s breath sample. If the alcohol concentration is above a predetermined level, the fuel cell triggers a relay to remain open, and the vehicle will not start. In Illinois, as in most other jurisdictions, that “predetermined level” is .025.

Additionally, the driver must submit to random rolling retests. Generally, for safety reasons, the car does not stop right away in the event of a failure, but it will not restart after the ignition is turned off.

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 Posted on November 27, 2014 in Criminal Defense

"This is my damn block!" Along with a string of other expletives, these were the last words that a 24-year-old woman heard when she was walking home with her friend on a warm summer night in 2013.

Immediately thereafter, a young man and about ten other people savagely beat the two women. The 24-year-old woman suffered a broken rib along with serious cuts and abrasions. Last month, the lead attacker pleaded guilty to two counts each of hate crimes charges and aggravated burglary. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

Local authorities aggressively prosecute hate crimes. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office has taken 44 people to court under the hate crimes statute since 2011.

Hate Crimes

During this crackdown, criminal defense attorneys have defended clients in a wide range of circumstances, from attacks on individuals to acts of vandalism against groups of people.

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 Posted on October 31, 2014 in DUI

Rolling Meadows criminal defense lawyer, DUI defense The Illinois State Police Department has joined with the state’s Department of Transportation with renewed efforts to reduce the number of drunk driving incidents on the road. Their campaign "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving.

The most recent twist on the campaign involves a familiar face for fans of the popular tv show "The Walking Dead." Social media also plays a big part in these efforts to share the message with drivers commonly associated with drunk driving incidents, such as college students.

The number of fatal drunk driving accidents have reduced since last year, according to a DOT law enforcement representative, but there has still be an estimated 1,000 people over the past fours years who have died as a result of alcohol-related crashes in Illinois.

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 Posted on September 22, 2014 in Uncategorized

Suspended License Downers Grove Courthouse—Downers Grove Traffic Attorney

Experienced Illinois Suspended License Attorney

Driving with a suspended license is typically a misdemeanor in the State of Illinois. There are some aggravating circumstances that can cause it to become a felony, however. Either way, this charge can seriously jeopardize your driving privileges and may even lead to jail time following your appearance at the Downers Grove courthouse. At the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we take these charges seriously and strive to protect our clients’ rights, freedom and driving privileges.

Defending Driving with a Suspended License Charges at the Downers Grove Courthouse

To the untrained eye, charges for driving with a suspended license can seem pretty cut and dry. Either your license is suspended or it’s not. Either you were driving or you weren’t. In truth, however, there are many ways our firm can help you improve your outcome if you are facing this charge.

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 Posted on September 22, 2014 in Uncategorized

Suspended License Glendale Heights Courthouse—Glendale Heights Traffic Attorney

Experienced Illinois Suspended License Attorney

Driving with a suspended license is typically a misdemeanor in the State of Illinois. There are some aggravating circumstances that can cause it to become a felony, however. Either way, this charge can seriously jeopardize your driving privileges and may even lead to jail time following your appearance at the Glendale Heights courthouse. At the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we take these charges seriously and strive to protect our clients’ rights, freedom and driving privileges.

Defending Driving with a Suspended License Charges at the Glendale Heights Courthouse

To the untrained eye, charges for driving with a suspended license can seem pretty cut and dry. Either your license is suspended or it’s not. Either you were driving or you weren’t. In truth, however, there are many ways our firm can help you improve your outcome if you are facing this charge.

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 Posted on September 22, 2014 in Uncategorized

Suspended License Wheaton Field Court Courthouse—Wheaton Field Court Traffic Attorney

Experienced Illinois Suspended License Attorney

Driving with a suspended license is typically a misdemeanor in the State of Illinois. There are some aggravating circumstances that can cause it to become a felony, however. Either way, this charge can seriously jeopardize your driving privileges and may even lead to jail time following your appearance at the Wheaton Field Court courthouse. At the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we take these charges seriously and strive to protect our clients’ rights, freedom and driving privileges.

Defending Driving with a Suspended License Charges at the Wheaton Field Court Courthouse

To the untrained eye, charges for driving with a suspended license can seem pretty cut and dry. Either your license is suspended or it’s not. Either you were driving or you weren’t. In truth, however, there are many ways our firm can help you improve your outcome if you are facing this charge.

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 Posted on September 22, 2014 in Uncategorized

Suspended License Addison Field Courthouse—Addison Field Court Traffic Attorney

Experienced Illinois Suspended License Attorney

Driving with a suspended license is typically a misdemeanor in the State of Illinois. There are some aggravating circumstances that can cause it to become a felony, however. Either way, this charge can seriously jeopardize your driving privileges and may even lead to jail time following your appearance at the Addison Field courthouse. At the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we take these charges seriously and strive to protect our clients’ rights, freedom and driving privileges.

Defending Driving with a Suspended License Charges at the Addison Field Courthouse

To the untrained eye, charges for driving with a suspended license can seem pretty cut and dry. Either your license is suspended or it’s not. Either you were driving or you weren’t. In truth, however, there are many ways our firm can help you improve your outcome if you are facing this charge.

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 Posted on September 15, 2014 in Gun Crimes

Gun violence is a concern for virtually every city in America. Predictably, each time a high profile case of a crime committed with a firearm makes headlines, print, broadcast, and social media are almost instantly engulfed by advocates on both sides of the gun control debate. Reaction was similar in early 2014, when a new concealed carry law in Illinois allowed residents to apply for a concealed carry permit. Since the law took effect, the city of Chicago has seen crime rates drop significantly.

In order to obtain a concealed carry license, an Illinois resident must meet certain provisions regarding eligibility and training. The concealed carry law requires the state to grant a license within 90 days to any applicant who meets all of the requirements of the law. When the license is granted, it becomes legal for the licensee to carry a concealed loaded or unloaded handgun on their person or in a vehicle. Even with a license, though, it is not legal to concealed carry in specifically designated places including schools, government buildings, amusement parks, and airports.

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 Posted on September 02, 2014 in Uncategorized

Avoiding a Drug Conviction in Skokie—Skokie Drug Offense Attorney

If you have been arrested for a drug crime in Skokie, Illinois, you have rights. It’s important that you have a skilled and experienced criminal law attorney to fight for those rights. At the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we are experienced in defending clients charged with drug offenses. A former prosecutor, Attorney Matthew R. Gebhardt understands how prosecutors build their cases. We know how to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and how to use those weaknesses to effectively advocate for our clients.

Our firm represents hundreds of individuals charged in Skokie, Illinois drug offense cases like yours. You have many options at your disposal and do not have to settle for a conviction on your record. Cases of this type have many defenses and can often be defeated through evidentiary motions or trial.

Drug crimes are taken very seriously in Skokie, Illinois and prosecuted aggressively. At the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we understand the seriousness of these charges, and we explore every avenue to defend our clients. Many drug cases can be effectively challenged on constitutional grounds. Was there probable cause to search you, your car or your home? Was a search warrant properly obtained? Were you properly informed of your rights? If the answer to any of these questions is, “No,” it may be possible to have the evidence against you thrown out and the case dismissed.

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