Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Found Liable or Not Found Liable

What If I Am Found Liable for a Building Code Violation?

If you are found liable, the hearing officer is required by law to impose the penalties set forth by the Municipal Code of Chicago. If the penalty is a set fine, the hearing officer must impose that amount. If the penalty has a minimum and maximum fine range, the hearing officer must impose a fine in that range. A hearing officer does not have the legal authority to waive a fine. Penalties may also include: paying restitution (the costs to undo the damage caused by the violation) and/or administrative costs.

What If I Am Found Not Liable for a Building Code Violation?

If you are found not liable, the hearing officer will dismiss the case against you and will not impose any penalties.

Let the attorneys at Bradford Miller Law, P.C. appear on your behalf to get the matter settled in a timely manner at a very reasonable rate. We handle these types of cases on a daily basis and can work with the City to get the violations dismissed and/or get you ample time to fix the violations without being fined over and over again. Contact our office as soon as possible if you have been cited by the City of Chicago. Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law.

Located in downtown Chicago at 134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040, our firm has been assisting clients with Building Code violations for several years. For proper, experienced representation call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
Visit www.bradfordmillerlaw.com for helpful information concerning Building Code Violations and information about our firm.

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale.

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, Chicago leases, Chicago Building Code Violation Attorney, Building Code Violation Lawyer, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago residential real estate attorney. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

How is an Administrative Hearing conducted?

Administrative Hearings while less formal than a state court trial, still follows a basic structure to ensure fairness and due process of law. All testimony is under oath and recorded.

The hearing officer begins by giving opening remarks outlining the hearing process. Since the city initiated the case against you it has to present its evidence before you present a defense. To present its case, the city may: introduce the sworn Notice of Violation of the police officer or city inspector; call witnesses; or offer other evidence such as photographs or other documents.

The city is required to establish what is called a "prima facie case." That simply means that it must set forth the necessary allegations that a code violation may have occurred. The hearing officer reviews the city's case to see if it has alleged all the necessary elements required by law. If the city has not properly alleged its case, the case will be dismissed. If the city has properly alleged a case, the hearing will proceed and you will have the opportunity to present your case.

To present your case, you may, like the city: introduce a sworn affidavit; testify; call witnesses; or offer other evidence such as photographs, receipts or other documents. Let the attorneys at Bradford Miller Law, P.C. appear on your behalf to get the matter settled in a timely manner at a very reasonable rate. We handle these types of cases on a daily basis and can work with the City to get the violations dismissed and/or get you ample time to fix the violations without being fined over and over again.

After both sides have had an opportunity to present their case, the hearing officer will render a decision and written order. The city's burden of proof in these matters is "by a preponderance of the evidence," which means that taking everything into consideration, the hearing officer must believe that "it is more likely than not" that a code violation has occurred.

Dealing with Building Code Violations can be frustrating, time consuming, and expensive. Contact our office as soon as possible if you have been cited by the City of Chicago. Located in downtown Chicago at 134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040, our firm has been assisting clients with Building Code violations for several years. We are one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law. Contact our office for proper, experienced representation at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
Visit www.bradfordmillerlaw.com for helpful information concerning Building Code Violations and information about our firm.

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale.

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, Chicago leases, Chicago Building Code Violation Attorney, Building Code Violation Lawyer, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago residential real estate attorney. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

What happens if you do not comply with a hearing officer's order?

A hearing officer's order can be enforced in the same manner as a Judge's order in that it can be used to place a lien on your property, garnish your wages and/or affect your credit. The city may also file a criminal or quasi-criminal action in state court where a Judge could impose additional penalties and jail time.

Don't let this happen to you, contact our office as soon as possible if you have been cited by the City of Chicago. Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law. Dealing with Building Code Violations can be frustrating, time consuming, and expensive. Let the attorneys at Bradford Miller Law, P.C. appear on your behalf to get the matter settled in a timely manner at a very reasonable rate. We handle these types of cases on a daily basis and can work with the City to get the violations dismissed and/or get you ample time to fix the violations without being fined over and over again.

Located in downtown Chicago at 134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040, our firm has been assisting clients with Building Code violations for several years. For proper, experienced representation call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
Visit www.bradfordmillerlaw.com for helpful information concerning Building Code Violations and information about our firm.

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale.

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, Chicago leases, Chicago Building Code Violation Attorney, Building Code Violation Lawyer, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago residential real estate attorney. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

What Can I Do About a Default Judgment?

A "Default Judgment" is similar to a Judge's order in that it can be used to place a lien on your property, garnish your wages and/or affect your credit. The city usually requests that the maximum fine be imposed in default matters. If you:
  1. missed your hearing date for a good reason; 
  2. have good reason to believe that the Notice went to the wrong address; or 
  3. believe that the city cited the wrong person, business or property, 
You may file a written Motion to Set-Aside a Default Judgment with the Department of Administrative Hearings. In general, your Motion must be filed within 21 days of the mailing date stamped on top of the default judgment order. Motions are not granted automatically. You must file your motion on time and you must provide good reason why you did not respond to the Notice of Violation.  A motion form may be obtained from and filed in person Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Main Information Desk, 400 West Superior Street location only.

Contact our office as soon as possible if you have been cited by the City of Chicago. Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law. Dealing with Building Code Violations can be frustrating, time consuming, and expensive. Let the attorneys at Bradford Miller Law, P.C. appear on your behalf to get the matter settled in a timely manner at a very reasonable rate. We handle these types of cases on a daily basis and can work with the City to get the violations dismissed and/or get you ample time to fix the violations without being fined over and over again.

Located in downtown Chicago at 134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040, our firm has been assisting clients with Building Code violations for several years. Contact our office for proper, experienced representation at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
Visit www.bradfordmillerlaw.com for helpful information concerning Building Code Violations and information about our firm.

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale.

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, Chicago leases, Chicago Building Code Violation Attorney, Building Code Violation Lawyer, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago residential real estate attorney. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

What happens if a Notice of Violation is ignored?

If you ignore the Building Code Violation Notice, a hearing officer may enter a Default Judgment against you based on the evidence presented. A "Default Judgment" is similar to a Judge's order in that it can be used to place a lien on your property, garnish your wages and/or affect your credit. The city usually requests that the maximum fine be imposed in default matters.

Contact our office as soon as possible if you have been cited by the City of Chicago. Unfortunately, my office receives calls all the time from homeowners that ignored the notices and now face thousands of dollars in fines or other penalties. Don't let this happen to you.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law. Dealing with Building Code Violations can be frustrating, time consuming, and expensive. Let the attorneys at Bradford Miller Law, P.C. appear on your behalf to get the matter settled in a timely manner at a very reasonable rate. We handle these types of cases on a daily basis and can work with the City to get the violations dismissed and/or get you ample time to fix the violations without being fined over and over again.  Located in downtown Chicago at 134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040, our firm has been assisting clients with Building Code violations for several years. Contact our office for proper, experienced representation at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
Visit www.bradfordmillerlaw.com for helpful information concerning Building Code Violations and information about our firm.

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale.

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, Chicago leases, Chicago Building Code Violation Attorney, Building Code Violation Lawyer, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago residential real estate attorney. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

What is an Administrative Law Judge?

Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”):
This is the person who conducts an Administrative Hearing. They decide whether a municipal code violation has occurred and, if so, what penalty should be imposed. The City of Chicago, Department of Administrative Hearings contracts with approximately 74 Administrative Law Judges to conduct hearings. Administrative Law Judges are private attorneys who have been licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois for a minimum of 3 years.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law. Dealing with Building Code Violations can be frustrating, time consuming, and expensive. Let the attorneys at Bradford Miller Law, P.C. appear on your behalf to get the matter settled in a timely manner at a very reasonable rate. We handle these types of cases on a daily basis and can work with the City to get the violations dismissed and/or get you ample time to fix the violations without being fined over and over again. Contact our office for proper, experienced representation at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations.Chicago leases, Chicago Building Code Violation Attorney, Building Code Violation Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

What is an administrative hearing?

Administrative Hearing :
A hearing in which a City agency such as the Department of Buildings and one or more private parties (called the “respondent”) present testimony, photographs, documents or other evidence and make legal arguments pertaining to whether the respondent has violated a section of the Chicago municipal code.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law. Dealing with Building Code Violations can be frustrating, time consuming, and expensive. Let the attorneys at Bradford Miller Law, P.C. appear on your behalf to get the matter settled in a timely manner at a very reasonable rate. We handle these types of cases on a daily basis and can work with the City to get the violations dismissed and/or get you ample time to fix the violations without being fined over and over again. Contact our office for proper, experienced representation at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations.Chicago leases, Chicago Building Code Violation Attorney, Building Code Violation Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.