CHICAGO, IL, October 10, 2016 – ​​​​​​Chicago lawyer Nir Basse is representing 7-year-old Ciara Gunning after she was falsely deemed ineligible by the Illinois Women’s Soccer League (IWSL) to play for her youth soccer team for the entire soccer league season, August 1 through July 21, 2017.

IWSL claims that Gunning was registered with an alternate travel team, Park Ridge Travel (PRT), which would make her to be ineligible to play for the Park Ridge Park District League (PRPDL) Hawks. However, Section 7 of IWSL rules and regulations states that proof of age is required for players, and must be submitted in order to complete registration.

“My client’s mother, Nora Tellez, never submitted the birth certificate,” Basse said. “Proof of age was never provided, which means Ciara was never technically registered to the other league.”

IWSL rules also stipulate that a roster is not fixed until August 1 of the calendar year. Tellez requested Ciara’s release from PRT on June 13, 2016, via email, to PRT Director Math Pothast. Pothast confirmed receipt, and indicated that there was no objection to releasing Ciara.

Prior to joining PRT, Gunning played with the same PRPDL team for years until her coach, Kevin Robinson, announced his decision to retire. The team began to transition, with Gunning joining PRT, but PRPDL parents were able to convince Robinson to coach again. With Robinson reinstated as the Hawks’ head coach, Gunning wanted to rejoin her team. IWSL then claimed that she had been recruited.

“There were no recruitment efforts made to get my client to play on the team,” Basse said. “Gunning is simply a 7-year-old girl wanting to be with her friends.”

This matter drew attention when a friend and teammate of Gunning’s passed away unexpectedly. Teammates wore their Hawks jerseys to their friend’s funeral as a sign of unity; however, Gunning was unable to join her friends in remembrance because she was not one of the team.

“No one gets hurt if Gunning joins the team; not IWSL or PRT,” Basse said. “Gunning and her teammates are the only ones affected, both from a developmental and emotional perspective. We are simply asking that they do the right thing.”

**Update January 4, 2017
The IWSL finally coalesced and have allowed Cierra Telez to transfer teams as of January 1, 2017. She was originally going to have to wait till July 2017. Cierra and her family are ecstatic. 

Securing any type of business license can be tricky, particularly if it is a Liquor License. Most people seeking to open or expand an existing Tavern, Restaurant or Package Good Store think about issues such as zoning, building permits, license applications and costs. What most people don’t think about, let alone do something about, is their neighbors and surrounding community.

A neighborhood organization or even a group of people from the community opposing your application can make life very difficult for the business owner. Opposition from the neighborhood will almost always lead to a delay in the process as well as expended time and money (legal fees and the cost of not being open).

In many cases, neighborhood opposition can lead to a denial of the license. This can happen for numerous reasons but most commonly:

• The neighbors voice their opposition to the local Alderman or elected official who suddenly finds it politically impossible to support the application, even if he told the business owner prior to applying that they would support the matter.
• The neighbors submit their opposition in writing to the licensing agency, who considers this factor when determining whether to grant or deny the license.

The good news is an experienced Liquor Licensing Attorney can help avoid this situation by assisting the business owner in navigating all aspects of the application process, including dealing with the Community, Politicians, and Press. Just as important, your Attorney will be taking measures throughout the application process to ensure that even if your license is denied, that you have every opportunity to resolve that denial during the appeal process.

A list of the specific actions your lawyer could take on your behalf:

• Arrange and Schedule for the business owner to meet with the local elected officials prior to ever signing a lease or putting any money into the business.
• Assist in crafting a vision/plan to present to the Alderman and if necessary, the community.
• Speak on behalf of the business with any press/reporters seeking information about your business.
• Arrange press releases/media coverage on behalf of the business if appropriate.
• Attend meeting with the business at local Neighborhood Organizations or Community meetings arranged by the local elected officials. The presence of a lawyer is critical at these meetings.
• Reply in writing to any written inquiries made by either the municipality, the local elected official or the community.

The above list of actions are in addition to all the other work your Attorney will do on your behalf to prepare the application and all the necessary supporting documents needed to secure your license.

Even after an initial Bond is set, it is not too late to seek to modify the Bond.  A Motion to Reduce Bond can be brought by the Defendant’s attorney at any time, but it is only the well crafted and well argued Motion that is likely to succeed and produce a significant Bond Reduction.  Through my experiences in Bond Court and research in the area, I have developed a technique and strategy for presenting these Motions which has regularly delivered successful and surprising results.  Illinois Criminal Court Judges consider many factors when determining Bond and are obligated to consider those issues the law and courts have deemed to be relevant.  By making the Presiding Judge aware of each and every relevant issue, especially those the Judge was not made aware of, at the initial Bond Hearing, we position ourselves to secure a reduction whenever possible.   A successful Chicago Bond Reduction Hearing only occurs when the Motion and Argument are given the appropriate time and attention to detail they demand.  You have my promise I will do everything I can to reduce you or your family member’s Bond.

Chicago, Illinois Bond Attorney

Upon being arrested and charged with a criminal offense, the first obstacle or issue a Defendant will face is having a Bond set to secure their release from Custody while their case is pending, awaiting trial, motion or plea.  The amount of your bond can vary greatly based on numerous factors, including the nature of the crime, your residency, family situation and many others which Bond Court Judges consider before setting a Bond in Illinois.

At the Law Office of Nir Basse in Chicago, IL, we firmly believe that a Defendant who has a well-prepared and well-informed Private Attorney at their Bond Hearing is much more likely to have a reasonable Bond set, one which either the Defendant or his family is able to post.  Most Defendants are represented in Bond Court by the Illinois Public Defenders office, due to the limited amount of time to find and hire a private attorney between the arrest and Bond Court.  While the Public Defenders are dedicated and talented attorneys, the workload and time constraints they face make it virtually impossible for them to ascertain all the necessary and important information from their client prior to going before the Judge.  In fact, in many cases the Public Defender knows nothing more than the Defendant’s name, charge and criminal background, which is all information the Prosecutor, has as well. As your lawyer, I will personally meet with both the family and the Defendant (in custody before Bond Court) to ask all the necessary questions and develop a strategy to implore the court to set as low a Bond as possible and to ensure that it is a D Bond (10%) and not a 100% Cash Bond.  I will also, if requested make arrangements for our Private Investigator to post the bond and expedite the release of the Defendant in any manner possible.

The cost of Defending a criminal case can be significant no matter what.  There will be legal fees, pre-trial costs and possibly fines and fees related to a possible plea or conviction.  The one cost a Defendant and his family can control (or at least attempt to control) is the Bond amount.  At the Law Office of Nir Basse, we take great pride in securing great results for our clients.  I know that even the slightest reduction in a Bond can be the difference between a Defendant coming home to his family or staying in custody for an indefinite period of time.  I also know that Arrests and Bond Hearings can happen at any time and with very little notice, so I am available day or night, weekday or weekend to meet with or speak with a Defendant or family member.  Please contact me at any time and I will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss your case.

2008-2009 Illinois DUI Penalties Chart
(For offenses after June 1, 2008)

First Offense

• Class A Misdemeanor
• Court Supervision up to 2 years
• DUI Tech Fee $500.00
• Fines of 0-2,500.00
• BAC > .16 or greater
  • • Mandatory 100 hours community service
    • Mandatory Minimum fine of $500.00
• Passenger <  under16 years old
  • • Subject to 6 months jail or 25 days community service in a program benefitting children
    • Mandatory minimum $1000 fine
    • Up to maximum fine of $2,500.00
    • If Bodily Harm to Passenger under 16,
      • Class 4 felony, min $2,500.00 to max $25,000.00 plus 25 days community service in a program benefitting children and
      • Mandatory minimum 10 days jail or 480 hours community service [11-501(d)(3)]
• If suspended, revoked, or no license or no insurance, then
  • • Class 4 felony 1-3 years imprisonment or
    • Probation up to 30 months and
    • Mandatory minimum 10 days jail or 480 hours community service [11-501(d)(3)]
• If driving School Bus with pass < 18, Class 4 felony
• If driving in a school zone with limit of 20 mph in effect and accident with bodily harm other than great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement
  • • Class 4 felony 1-3 years imprisonment or
    • Probation up to 30 months and
    • Mandatory minimum 10 days jail or 480 hours community service [11-501(d)(3)]
• If Great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement
  • • Class 4 felony 1-12 years imprisonment or
    • Probation up to 30 months and
    • Mandatory minimum 10 days jail or 480 hours community service [11-501(d)(3)] and
    • Minimum fine $2,500.00

Second Offense

• Class A Misdemeanor
• No Court Supervision – Mandatory Conviction
• Revocation of Driving Privileges
• Mandatory 5 days jail or 240 hours community service
• DUI technology Fee of $1,000.00
• Fines of up to $2,500.00
• If 2d DUI and prior reckless homicide, then Class 4 felony
• If BAC >.16
  • • Add additional 2 days jail to above penalties
    • Mandatory minimum fine of $1250.00
• If Passenger < 16 years old
  • • Class 2 felony 3-7 years imprisonment or probation up to 48 months §11-501(d)(1)(K) and (I) and
    • min $2500.00 plus 25 days community service in a program benefitting children §11-501(d)(1)(K) and (I) and
    • Mandatory minimum 10 days jail or 480 hours community service [11-501(d)(3)]

If Bodily Harm t

• • • o Passenger under 16,
      • Class 2 felony 3-7 years imprisonment or probation up to 48 months §11-501(d)(1)(K) and (I), and
      • min $5000.00 to max $25,000.00
      • plus 25 days community service in a program benefitting children and
      • Mandatory minimum 10 days jail or 480 hours community service [11-501(d)(3)]
• If Great bodily harm, disability or disfigurement to any person
  • • Class 4 felony, from probation to 1-12 years imprisonment
    • Minimum fine of $5000.00 plus 25 days community service in a program benefitting children (any bodily harm per 11-501(d)(1)(K and I)
    • Mandatory minimum 10 days jail or 480 hours community service 11-501(d)(3)

• If suspended, revoked, , or no insurance, then
  • • Class 4 felony 1-3 years imprisonment or

• • • Probation up to 30 months and
    • Mandatory minimum 10 days jail or 480 hours community service 11-501(d)(3)
• If accident with great bodily harm
  • • Class 4 felony 1-3 years imprisonment or
    • Probation up to 30 months and
    • Mandatory minimum 10 days jail or 480 hours community service 11-501(d)(3)
    • Minimum fine $5,000.00

Third Offense

• Class 2 Felony
• 3-7 years imprisonment or
• Probation up to 48 months, and
• Mandatory minimum 10 days jail or 480 hours community service
• DUI Tech fee $1,000.00
• Fines up to max $25,000.00
• If BAC > .16
  • • Mandatory 90 days jail and
    • Mandatory minimum fine of $2500.00
• If passenger < 16 years old
  • • Mandatory minimum fine of $25,000.00 and
    • Mandatory 25 days community service in a program benefitting children
• If Great bodily harm, disability or disfigurement
  • • Class 2 felony, from 480 community service to 1-12 years imprisonment (note: combining 1-12 years great bodily harm requirement; if any jail then must be minimum 1 year)

Fourth Offense

• Class 2 Felony non-probationable
• 3-7 years imprisonment and
• DUI Tech fee $1,000.00
• Maximum fine of $25,000.00
• If BAC > .16
  • • Mandatory Minimum fine is $5,000.00
• If passenger < 16 years old
  • • Minimum fine $25,000.00 and
    • Mandatory 25 days community service in a program benefitting children
• If Great bodily harm, disability or disfigurement
  • • • Class 2 felony, from 480 hrs. community service to 1-12 years imprisonment (note: combining 1-12 years great bodily harm requirement)

Fifth Offense

• Class 1 non-probationable
• 4-15 years imprisonment
• DUI Tech fee $1,000.00
• Fine up to $25,000.00
• If BAC >.16
  • • Mandatory Minimum fine $5000.00
• If passenger < 16 years
  • • Minimum fine $25,000.00 and
    • Mandatory 25 days community service in a program benefitting children

Sixth Offense

• Class X felony non-probationable
• 6-30 years imprisonment
• DUI Tech fee $1,000.00
• Fine up to $25,000.00
• If BAC >.16
  • • Minimum fine $5000.00
• If passenger < 16 years
  • • Minimum fine $25,000.00 and
    • Mandatory 25 days community service in a program benefitting children

DUI Death

• If violation of DUI proximately causes death to another
  • • Class 2 felony
    • Minimum is probation, or 3-14 years for one death
    • Minimum probation to 6-28 years for 2 or more deaths
    • Judge must find extraordinary circumstances to award probation

Been Arrested For DUI?Contact Us Now For A Free Consultation 312-286-1186