Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog

In the world of drug crimes, charges are divided into three main categories: possession (holding drugs), distribution (selling drugs), and trafficking (typically – though not necessarily – moving drugs). These definitions are pretty straightforward, and it’s fairly well known that trafficking and distribution are more severe drug crimes than possession. So if you are caught…

When you face felony charges, the road ahead may be unclear. You know that a felony conviction could mean years in jail or big fines, but what happens in between a charge and a conviction? How do people defend themselves? When do you have to go to court? There are a few steps between when…

In our state, there are certain crimes that warrant a life sentence. These crimes are considered Class X felonies. The list of Class X felonies is small, and mainly limited to homicide-related crimes. However, certain sexual assault charges also make the list, such as aggravated criminal sexual assault. This is the charge that a massage…

Despite recent controversy and state level changes in drug laws, the war on drugs is still raging on. Penalties for drug charges come with mandatory minimums, and can even surpass penalties for other, more violent crimes. There is also increased tension between the community and law enforcement, so arrests and police encounters involving drugs can…

It’s no secret – I’m a big Cubs fan. And for Cubs fans, last Wednesday (heck, the last two weeks) was a reason to celebrate big time. But maybe the excitement of the game, the stress of the last few innings, and the drinks you had in the meantime also got you in a little…

We know that talking to law enforcement officers can be intimidating even at the best of times. If you think they suspect that you have committed a crime, that feeling may be amplified enormously. Recent stories of police shooting citizens (including citizens who were acting within their constitutional rights) probably don’t help with any uncomfortable…

If you are arrested for burglary, the police will most likely go through the possessions you have on hand or in your vehicle to return any items that you stole. During this search, law enforcement may also find reasons to charge you with additional crimes. How so? Burglary is a class 2 felony in Illinois.…

As baseball season is winding down (and the playoffs are heating up), I’d like to reflect on some great efforts made by fans of the Chicago Cubs in response to a rather uncomfortable trade. I’m talking, of course, about Aroldis Chapman. It wasn’t easy for fans at first when we heard about Aroldis Chapman coming…

When you are charged with a drug crime, it may seem like the prosecutors will stop at nothing to convict you and make sure you receive a harsh sentence – even if you are charged with minor or non-violent drug crimes. Most of the time, prosecutors and law enforcement officers use completely legal tactics. On…

While they usually do not involve violence or serious bodily injury, white collar crimes are taken very seriously in Illinois and will often result in felony charges for the alleged offender. Below we have briefly defined a few common white collar crimes that we see in Illinois, and the charges you may face for committing…