Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Avila v. Mariapappas

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
ARGUED NOVEMBER 3, 2009

Before EASTERBROOK, Chief Judge, and WOOD and TINDER, Circuit Judges.

Shortly before the date of her disciplinary hearing at the Cook County Treasurer’s Office, Maria Avila told a friend (and co-worker) that she could “go postal”; she advised the friend to duck. Concerned that Avila might be serious, the friend told her superiors. Police attended the hearing, and the implied threat became another ground of discipline. Avila was fired and criminally prosecuted. Illinois law treats as a felony a threat against a public official; otherwise a threat is a misdemeanor. Compare 720 ILCS 5/12-9 with 720 ILCS 5/12-2(a)(10). The State’s Attorney of Cook County charged Avila with a felony, on the ground that Michael Shine, one of three persons Avila had mentioned as potential targets, was a public official because the Treasurer had appointed him to an office created by statute. See 720 ILCS 5/12-9(b)(1). Avila was acquitted at a bench trial after the state judge concluded that Shine was not a public official under §5/12-9(b)(1).

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
Middle East Legal Awards 2024
April 25, 2024
Dubai

Law firms & in-house legal departments with a presence in the middle east celebrate outstanding achievement within the profession.


Learn More
BenefitsPRO Broker Expo 2024
April 29, 2024 - May 01, 2024
Aurora, CO

The premier educational and networking event for employee benefits brokers and agents.


Learn More
Pennsylvania Legal Awards 2024
May 15, 2024
Philadelphia, PA

The Legal Intelligencer honors lawyers leaving a mark on the legal community in Pennsylvania and Delaware.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Senior In-House Contracts Administrator

A large and well-established Tampa company is seeking a contracts administrator to support the company's in-house attorney and manage a wide...


Apply Now ›
COMMERCIAL FINANCE ATTORNEY - STAMFORD, HARTFORD OR NEW HAVEN OFFICES

We are seeking an attorney to join our commercial finance practice in either our Stamford, Hartford or New Haven offices. Candidates should ...


Apply Now ›
CORPORATE ATTORNEY (8+ Years) - REMOTE, CT

We are seeking an attorney to join our corporate and transactional practice. Candidates should have a minimum of 8 years of general corporat...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
MELICK & PORTER, LLP
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro & Murphy, P.C.
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
Robbins Alloy Belinfante Littlefield
04/08/2024
Daily Report

Daily Report 1/2 Page Professional Announcement 60 Days


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements