If You Have Questions About Disorderly Conduct With a Laser or Laser Pointer, Call Chicago Disorderly Conduct Criminal Defense Lawyer.

A Laser Pointer is a hand-held device that emits light amplified by the stimulated emission of radiation that is visible to a human eye. The definition of a Laser is more complicated. Usually, it is a device that designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that is visible to a human eye. The use of laser pointers could be a crime in the state of Illinois. Important to realize that this conduct gives police the right to arrest you. Firstly, that will happen if they believe that you knowingly directed light from a laser pointer at a firefighter, medical worker, or uniformed officer of any kind. Secondly, they will arrest you for aiming and discharging a laser or other device that creates visible light into the cockpit of an aircraft. In this situation, the aircraft should be taking off, landing, or flying.

Disorderly Conduct With a Laser Pointer Is Not Fun!

Unfortunately, aircraft illumination by lasers has become a worldwide problem. In the U.S. alone, the illegal use of those incidents is growing. Last year, the Federal Aviation Administration reported 5,663 laser incidents. That means 15 incidents a day! As a result, the FBI offers a $10,000 reward for the information leading to a conviction of the crime.

Dangers of Disorderly Conduct With a Laser Pointer Explained by Chicago Disorderly Conduct Criminal Defense Lawyer.

In the first place, the danger of distracting the pilot. For example, imagine traveling down the highway in a vehicle at a rapid speed when a bright light hits you. While your vision is obscured, you tend to stay straight and maybe slow down until you can see the road again. Now, consider a pilot taking off or landing an aircraft. Suddenly, the light hits, and runway lights are blurred. Sometimes, the pilot’s reaction might be to change the course of the airplane. It should be noted that changing the flight path could not only endanger the plane but any other aircraft in the flight zone. Moreover, diverting the course of a helicopter could present other problems, such as hitting a nearby power line or building. Unquestionably, those people commit serious offenses. Chicago Disorderly Conduct Criminal Defense Lawyer Tikhvinskiy warns that police officers take those offenses seriously.

Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer Tikhvinskiy Warns That Disorderly Conduct With a Laser or Laser Pointer Is a Criminal Offense.

By all means, it is important to know that pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime. Under 18 U.S. Code § 39A “Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft” whoever knowingly aims the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, or at the flight path of such an aircraft, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. Concurrently, Section 720 ILCS 5/26-7 of Illinois law defines the crime of disorderly conduct with a laser or laser pointer. Under that Illinois law, disorderly conduct with a laser or laser pointer in Illinois is a Class A Misdemeanor criminal offense. In any event, Class A Misdemeanor is the most serious misdemeanor crime in Illinois. It carries the maximum punishment up to 364 days in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500.

Collateral Consequences of Disorderly Conduct With a Laser Pointer.

The point often overlooked that, that sometimes you cannot commit only disorderly conduct with a laser or laser pointer. For example, blinding the pilot can lead to the accidents and the death of many people. Obviously, this is a completely different and extremely serious crime. As a result, you can get life imprisonment or even the death penalty in some states.

How Illinois Law Defines the Criminal Offense of Disorderly Conduct With a Laser or Laser Pointer.

Specifically, under 720 ILCS 5/26-7(b), A person commits disorderly conduct with a laser or laser pointer in the following situations. Of course, those are long legal definitions of the offense of disorderly conduct with a laser or laser pointer. Firstly, when he or she intentionally or knowingly aims an operating laser pointer at a person he or she knows or reasonably should know to be a peace officer. Secondly, aims and discharges a laser or other device that creates visible light into the cockpit of an aircraft that is taking off, landing, or flying

The Use of Lasers or Laser Pointer In the Direction of Aircraft Does Not Always Entail Criminal Liability.

The point often overlooked that 720 ILCS 5/26-7 does not apply to some individuals who aim and discharge a laser or other device at an aircraft. Specifically, the law excludes individuals in the conduct of research and development or flight test operations conducted by an aircraft manufacturer, the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other persons authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct this research and development or flight test operations. Secondly, members of the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security acting in an official capacity for research, development, operations, testing, or training.

Collateral Consequences of Disorderly Conduct With a Laser or Laser Pointer.

The punishment for disorderly conduct with a laser or laser pointer depends on the charge. In other words, you are accused under Federal law or the Illinois Criminal Code.

Federal law is more severe. In particular,18 U.S. Code § 39A says: Whoever knowingly aims the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, or at the flight path of such an aircraft, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

Call Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer Tikhvinskiy Who Will Help You to Build Your Defense.

Always, Chicago Disorderly Conduct Criminal Defense Lawyer Tikhvinskiy works diligently to create the best defense in your criminal case. In the first place, Chicago criminal defense attorney Tikhvinskiy investigates your case and assess the evidence that the State will use against you. Next, Chicago criminal defense attorney Tikhvinskiy will aggressively attach each element of the crime. Moreover, some defenses could be available for you. Chicago criminal defense attorney Tikhvinskiy’s goal is to have your disorderly conduct with a laser or laser pointer case dismissed or won. Call (312) 583-7345. The first consultation is always free and 100% confidential!