Author: Anisa Jordan

On November 16th, 2017 The Jordan Law Firm celebrated its second anniversary and Attorney Anisa Jordan celebrated 8 years as an attorney on November 5th, 2017. As the firm enters its third year I am excited to announce some upcoming changes beginning in January of 2018:

We are happy to announce that in addition to our criminal, dui and traffic practice the firm will begin accepting family law cases! While the firm will accept all family legal matters cases the firm will specifically focus on cases dealing with civil unions and family law issues specific to military families. I am excited to be adding this area of practice and will provide more details in January!

The Jordan Law Firm YouTube channel! That’s right, in an effort to provide you with more information in the areas of the firm’s practice, The Jordan Law Firm YouTube channel will also launch in January of 2018. More details to come!

Do you have access to apple news? If so, please subscribe to The Jordan Law Firm news channel. This is the best place to receive news about the firm and information and news that will be of interest to you. More information to follow…

Again, thank you for your continued support and I am excited to walk into this 3rd year of business and provide you with excellent legal representation!

Halloween is a night of fun and frights, but it an also can be a night on which things get out of control, mistakes are made, and the authorities get involved. Law enforcement officials often report seeing an increase in criminal activity on October 31st, and for this reason they are often on heightened alert at this time of the year. As cited in an article on Reolink.com, the following crimes happen more frequently on Halloween:

• Burglary: There is a 26% increase of burglary on Halloween.

• Violent crime: Incidents of violent crime are about 50% higher on Halloween’s Eve than on any other date during the year.

• Car thefts: Thefts of motorcycles and cars increase by 20% the week of Halloween.

• Car accidents: On Halloween, children between 5 and 14 years old are FOUR times more likely to be killed by a car than on any other day.

• Clown attacks: Creepy tales of clowns have gripped America over the past two months, terrifying children and parents in about 39 states. These reports are more frequent during Halloween.

• Shootings: Shootings have increased steadily over the years, and Halloween of 2016 was deadliest Halloween weekend in Chicago that year with 17 people fatally shot.

(Source: Reolink.com)

Other Crimes Peak During Halloween Season

Many people are out and about on Halloween wearing costumes and wigs. For this reason, anyone looking to conceal him or herself while getting into trouble can do so much more easily than any other time of year. If someone commits a crime such as burglary or theft while wearing a costume or mask, it may be harder for law enforcement to locate and apprehend that person during Halloween.

Halloween is also a time when many people attend parties and consume alcohol. For this reason, incidents of intoxicated driving and DUI accidents increase at this time of the year. Vandalism and the destruction of property or cars are crimes that happen more frequently around this time. The authorities also warn that some seek to tamper with the candy of young trick or treaters, so parents should examine any candy children receive while trick or treating.

How to Avoid Being Arrested on Halloween

Do not drink and drive. If you are attending a Halloween party, always have a designated driver drive you home if you plan on drinking. If you are arrested by law enforcement for drinking and driving, contact a criminal charges defense attorney right away to learn your legal options.

When putting together your Halloween costume, avoid incorporating any real or fake weapons, and do not impersonate police officers, as this may lead to confusion if confronted with actual police officers.

Get Legal Help

Halloween is supposed to be a night of revelry, but any celebration can take a turn in the blink of an eye. If you are arrested for committing a Halloween crime, contact The Jordan Law Firm right away for a free consultation. Attorney Anisa Jordan will examine your case thoroughly and create a strong defense for you.

Changes in the Cook County Bail System

Bail is a judge-imposed monetary fee with which defendants in criminal defense cases are released from custody(jail) until their trial. After providing the court with the specified fee, a defendant can leave jail and return to court at the designated trial date. The money is given back to the defendant after the case is over.

A judge will determine the dollar amount of a bail. Bail is set according to a defendant’s flight risk, the charges made against him or her, the defendant’s criminal background, and the threat the defendant poses to the public. A criminal charges defense attorney can help the defendant navigate the often confusing bail process.

Cook County Bond Court

Sometimes, the court releases a defendant on his or her own recognizance without any bail at all, and for others, bail can be set at thousands or millions of dollars. Many defendants cannot afford to pay their bail amounts, and they must stay in jail until trial.

Bail reformists believe this is not always fair and disproportionately hurts the poor. Defendants may lose jobs, housing, property, and family if they can not afford bail. If they are later found innocent of the crime, they have lost a great deal when the trial ends. Bail reform is a growing concern around the nation, and the city of Chicago and Cook County are taking steps to correct the problems associated with unfair bail practices. The recent changes are creating positive differences in the bail system and making things better for poor defendants who need help paying their bail amounts.

Chief Cook County Judge Timothy Evans is replacing six judges who preside over bond hearings. New judges will come aboard. The changes in judges who preside over these cases will move the bail system forward to a more accurate and fair system. The move is just one of many different steps that the Chicago area is taking to reform the bond system that often leaves poor defendants and defendants of color in jail too long for low-level offenses.

Now, presiding judges must set bail in amounts that less fortunate individuals can afford. All defendants should be assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Individuals should not be punished or unfairly treated in the pretrial process just because they are poor. In a fair court system, everyone is treated equally regardless of their economic status or means.

These changes should make defendants and the community at large better understand the bond system and the role judges play in keeping a fair and balance system that protects the public and the rights of defendants too. The Chief has created a new pre-trial division of the court that will focus on initial bail proceedings. Now, a presiding judge will oversee and examine all bail-setting procedures that will enhance the overall bail system of the county.

The state has initiated a new law, called the Bail Reform Act. This newly created law establishes rights for people who find themselves in custody of jails in the state of Illinois. With this new statute, people involved in low-level or minor crimes do not have to post cash bond as a condition for their release. Now low-level offenders who have been charged and have no funds to get out of jail can get a rehearing of their bail amount under the Bail Reform Act.

If you want to know more about the new changes in the bail system and how they will affect your case, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly in the bail system, contact our attorney at The Jordan Law Firm right away for a free consultation.

Attorney Anisa Jordan was asked by the Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council to give a quick overview to new lawyers about how to handle a client’s case when charged with a DUI and suspension of the client’s driver’s license.

How much do attorneys care about their clients? At The Jordan Law Firm, it’s all about going the extra mile. Attorney Anisa Jordan asks the questions that others won’t. Here’s a great example.

Early in 2017 the firm had a client charged with both Aggravated Speeding and Reckless Driving; both offenses carrying a maximum of 1 year in jail. Because of the client’s background and the specifics of the client’s traffic tickets, the client was eligible for supervision. Normally, this is a great sentence in Illinois as it not considered a conviction. Turns out that though the client received the ticket in Illinois, the client was from a different state. Attorney Anisa Jordan’s experience in traffic and criminal law has taught her that when considering different states, you must also consider there may be different laws in that state.

So, Attorney Jordan got on the phone trail, calling the proper authorities in the client’s home state. This isn’t easy. It’s taxing and takes time and thoughtful navigation to talk to the right party. However, The Jordan Law Firm cares about clients and if there’s a chance of reducing their penalties, fines and consequences, Attorney Anisa Jordan will go the extra mile.

After a half day on the phone, Attorney Jordan discovered that the client’s home state law on the traffic matter indeed was different. Had we simply plead the client to the charges in Illinois the client would have lost their driving privilege in their home state. Armed with her research from the client’s home state, The Jordan Law Firm was able to obtain a disposition where the client was able to keep their driving privileges and quickly put the situation behind them.

This is just one example of something The Jordan Law Firm does every day for the clients who rely on Attorney Jordan to give them a diligent and passionate defense. Attorney Jordan considers multiple sources, knows Illinois law, and will do everything possible to give you the best outcome in your case.

Contact Us

If you or someone you know needs to speak with an experienced traffic, DUI, Driver’s License, or other criminal charges defense attorney in the Chicago area, we invite you to contact attorney Anisa Jordan at The Jordan Law Firm for a free consultation at (312) 380-9221.

If you just received a DUI or a speeding ticket, you might feel that you are between a rock and a hard place – you know you need solid legal representation to win your case or lessen your consequences. However, you might not have the means to hire an attorney.

However, the cost of not hiring a lawyer can be even higher, and have more personal effect on your life – fines, license suspensions and even jail time. These can stay on your record and give you problems for years on job applications, loan applications and more.

Not having an experienced lawyer can result in more serious penalties, and having a court-appointed lawyer is not always going to get you exactly where you need to be. Many court-appointed lawyers have large caseloads and do not necessarily have the time to give you the personalized attention that you need. This is not the case at The Jordan Law Firm. Attorney Anisa Jordan treats all her clients as individuals. One satisfied client recently commented on The Jordan Law Firm google business page that they felt as though they were Anisa Jordan’s only client.

Not having a lawyer at all when you go to court can dramatically alter your circumstances. Most people who go into court without a lawyer don’t know what they are getting themselves into – they don’t know the full law, previous similar comparable cases, etc. If you decide to represent yourself, you will be expected to know the law and the rules of evidence. You will find yourself up against an experienced prosecutor and you will not be given a break because you are not a lawyer.

Contact Us

Attorney Anisa Jordan of The Jordan Law Firm is nothing short of diligent, knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to taking charge in the courtroom. As a former prosecutor she has litigated hundreds of cases and stood before numerous judges as an aggressive, yet professional trial attorney. Contact The Jordan Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation.

We know how important it is to make sure that you’re finding the right lawyer to take care of your case. Here at The Jordan Law Firm, we are dedicated to giving you the best quality care and attention to your case. Here are a few brief excerpts from extremely satisfied clients that were kind enough to leave us a review about their experience with us:

“Very dedicated to her job. I was very nervous on this one …Her strength and passion could be felt all around the courtroom. You can definitely count on her to deliver. Thank you…” – Osei A., Google Review

“Very nice and super professional, making it easy to relax and allow Anisa to handle my legal affairs more than once for a favorable outcome. I highly recommend the Jordan Law Firm as a viable option, to handle and inform you of your own legal matters.” Michael T., Google

Since The Jordan Law Firm is always looking for areas to improve in, please take a moment to tell us how we’re doing. We pay attention, and if your review is less than spectacular we will listen to what you are saying and make changes accordingly. Our goal is to provide excellent service and the best outcomes possible for our clients.

For your convenience, here are a few links to get you going! We hope to hear from you soon!

Google (5 out of 5 stars) – Google is one of the fastest, easiest ways to find us! Leave us a review here!

Facebook (5 out of 5 stars) – You can Like our Facebook Page and review us. Let us know how we’re doing!

Avvo – (9.9 out of 10 rating) – An attorney directory where The Jordan Law Firm has an excellent reputation. You can add a review here.

Yelp is a great place to search for valuable services, please feel free to leave your feedback here!

A court appointed attorney (aka public defender) is paid by the government and can represent criminal defendants facing jail time. If you cannot afford a lawyer for a DUI case, the court will appoint and pay for one. Unfortunately, you don’t get to choose the lawyer you get.

To do this, you must ask the court for a court appointed lawyer and also provide information about your financial situation as evidence that you can’t afford a private defense attorney.

Can Everyone Get a Court Appointed Attorney?

Yes, if you qualify. Public defenders are appointed by the court for defendants who can’t afford private counsel. Usually, if you have not bonded out of jail, the court will automatically appoint a public defender for you at your first court date, also known as your arraignment.

Public Defender vs. Private Attorney for DUIs

Public defenders went to law school and passed the Illinois State Bar Exam, just like private attorneys. Public defenders are governmental employees, so typically make less income than private lawyers, but also, they have more cases to handle. Typically, because of the case load, they may have limited time to speak with you individually as a private attorney may have. Public defenders also can only represent you in your criminal case. They cannot help with related civil or administrative matters like a driver license suspension. Lastly, since the attorney was chosen for you, it may be difficult to get a new public defender if you are unhappy.

On the other hand, private lawyers like Anisa Jordan of The Jordan Law Firm can spend more time with their clients. They can get to know your case in detail and give you the individual attention you deserve. A private lawyer has more time to find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case that may help get the case dismissed or the charges reduced. Private lawyers can be reached much more easily; whereas public defenders can be difficult to get a hold of. Of course, you also can choose your private attorney, and change to another if you are unhappy. They want your business, so they tend to be more serious about serving you and your case.

If you find yourself charged with a DUI please contact Attorney Anisa Jordan of the The Jordan Law Firm today for a free consultation. We are ready to help!

Let’s face it, lawyers are the butt of many jokes. It’s OK. We understand – it’s fair game. It’s not easy – especially for defense lawyers – doing the unbiased, objective job that they have sworn to do. It can be an emotional ride. But, similar to doctors and counselors, lawyers do have to learn to step back and look at each case in a measured, professional manner.

With that professionalism understood, we at the Jordan Law Firm still take our clients very seriously. We empathize with their situations. Most calls we receive are from people in a tough situation. We try to imagine it being our family or friend. After all, the person on the other end of our first phone call together is indeed a person that is loved and needed by others. If they end up with minor legal troubles, like fines, to something larger – loss of driver’s license, or even jail time, it affects many people around them and changes their life forever. We do our best to remember this each day, and never let people become “numbers” or “cases.”

Taking this a step further, we believe everyone makes mistakes in their life, and that everyone deserves second chances. We know that each one of us fails, some just more public than others. Sometimes it’s an unfortunate circumstance that leads to legal issues.

Lastly, we believe each person deserves a fair hearing. Not everyone accused of a legal issue is guilty. Not all have substantial evidence against them. Our job is to state the case of our clients fairly and justly. We try for the best outcome possible and hope you’ll trust us with your case.

Contact Us Today

Anisa Jordan is a young, grounded attorney who cares for her clients. We think you’ll feel this when you first speak to her. Anisa listens to each person she speaks with to understand the whole situation. Our job at the Jordan Law Firm is to make sure your legal journey is one we share with you. You will never be just another “case” for us.

For many of us, it’s been years, maybe even decades, since we were first issued our driver’s license. Though we might remember some of what we learned when preparing to take our first driving test, most of us depend on practice and general experience to guide us through every day traffic. Unfortunately, that’s not always enough to keep drivers in Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, and Rolling Meadows free from violations. While The Jordan Law Firm is there whenever you need help dealing with a traffic ticket, it’s also helpful to be proactive by refreshing your memory on Illinois traffic rules and regulations.

Your License

First, if you’re looking to get a new license you should be aware that the process for issuance has changed in order to meet federal standards for boarding airplanes and preventing identity theft. No longer can you get your license the day you renew or apply; instead you’ll be issued a temporary paper document which is valid for 45 days, with your license being sent to you via mail. This is especially important for those making a permanent move to Illinois, as out-of-state licenses are only valid for 90 days after moving.

Distracted Driving

These days, drivers are faced with a variety of distractions, from high-tech music players to navigation systems and cell phones. According to Illinois law, drivers are prohibited from using handheld cellphones, texting, or using other electronic communications while operating a motor vehicle, with hands-free or Bluetooth technology only allowed for drivers ages 19 and older. The only time you can use a cellphone that is not hands-free is to report an emergency, while parked on the shoulder, or when stopped in traffic with the car in park or neutral. A crash resulting from distracted driving could mean criminal penalties and incarceration.

Special Stops

It may not happen often, but there are times where drivers need to come to a complete stop in recognition of special circumstances, and failure to adhere could be costly. For instance, you may know that you need to stop for loading or unloading school busses, but you may not know that the penalty for illegally passing a stopped school bus is a three-month license suspension.

If any of these facts caught you by surprise, it may be time to study up and re-learn some regulations from the official Illinois Rules of the Road document. But if you’re unclear about your rights as a driver, are facing a tough traffic ticket, or just want general consultation, be sure to give The Jordan Law Firm a call!