Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog

If you are charged with residential burglary, several strategies may be available to help you in getting your charges dropped, dismissed, or reduced, or in avoiding conviction at trial. In two recent Illinois cases, a few of these strategies came into play. In one case, a 19-year-old male and a female juvenile had been present…

If you have been charged with a DUI or DWI, you should be aware of all potential defenses available to you so that you can help your DUI attorney understand what went on at the time of the arrest and he or she can build the best possible strategy to help you reduce or even…

By now, whether you live here in Chicago or anywhere else in the United States, you’ve probably heard that multiple victims have accused Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert of sexual assault. Last year, Hastert was sentenced to 15 months in a federal prison for bank fraud, which was connected to allegations that, over…

Are you a member of or affiliated with a gang? If you are, you should know that you could be arrested for criminal activities that can be linked to your gang. This is particularly important to be aware of right now, because law enforcement is currently cracking down and making huge busts in our city.…

Last month, three men were arrested for three different crimes in Evanston. The crimes and their penalties are all different, but the one thing they have in common is that they are all felonies. There are two types of crimes in Illinois: misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors are less serious crimes that are punishable by less…

Facing arrest or criminal charges can be intimidating and downright confusing, especially if you have never been charged before. Criminals face penalties and hardships that go beyond prison time. Having a mark on your criminal record can flip your life around. If you have been charged, it is important to get acquainted with the type…

Unfortunately, after a tragic story of domestic violence, many people find themselves asking, “Why didn’t they leave? Why didn’t they escape? Why didn’t they tell anyone?” Those who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence know that leaving a violent relationship is rarely that easy, so Illinois is working on making that process easier. Think of…

Having a criminal record is not an easy burden to bear. Even if you received a not guilty verdict or had your charges dropped or dismissed, charges and arrests remain on your record. Unfortunately, explaining the black marks on your record can erect a serious barrier between you and the job, education, or housing that…

There is not just one charge for each violent crime in Illinois. Assault charges may become aggravated assault charges if certain factors are present. Burglary can be charged as “burglary” or “home invasion” depending on the building where the crime occurred. In this post, we’re going to focus on the different charges in our state…

Less than a year after Governor Rauner decriminalized small amounts of marijuana, Illinois lawmakers are looking to make recreational marijuana legal throughout the state. The measure follows the trend throughout the country (except at the federal level) to loosen laws on the drug. Previously, small amounts of marijuana would be considered a class B misdemeanor,…