Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog

In Chicago, the punishments you face for violating the terms of your probation are often much worse than probation itself. Probation is a frequently used sentencing option in Illinois, where a judge orders a defendant who has been found guilty of a crime to follow a set of strict rules for a period of time.…

It was a quiet Friday night in Edgewater, the whoosh of the occasional passing car mingling with the murmur of the NBA playoffs on TVs within apartment buildings. But the calm was punctuated suddenly when the whistle of a police siren sounded near the 6300 block of North Lakewood. At least, that’s what happened according…

In response to a recent string of burglaries, law enforcement officers across Chicago and surrounding areas are heightening efforts against burglary-related crimes. Officers in the northwest suburban community of Wood Dale had been investigating a series of residential break-ins, and took two suspects into custody. Most recently, law enforcement officials were able to arrest a…

Chicago law enforcement has been fighting against sex crimes for the last two decades, prioritizing investigations, arresting offenders, and doling out tough penalties. However, over the last few years, it appears Chicago’s fight against sex crimes may have hit a wall. According to a report from CBS Chicago, “while the number of reported criminal sexual…

Although Chicago jails are packed with offenders of low-level drug crimes, the drug crime rate in the city continues to trump national averages. Every month, hundreds of marijuana arrests are made in Cook County alone. As Cook County State Attorney Anita Alvarez explained to reporters from the Chicago Tribune, “what we are currently doing here…

Though the domestic violence laws in Illinois are meant to protect families, abuse of domestic violence laws can harm the very families they were designed to keep safe. False domestic violence allegations can be harmful to the accused, their families, and the Illinois criminal justice system in general. Regrettably, false domestic violence allegations are not…

In any major U.S. city, a determined police officer can be an intimidating sight. If a cop shows up at your door, it’s only natural to feel like you have to let him or her inside—after all, it’s a police officer. Maybe they make you feel safe, or maybe they just shock you into agreeing.…

While internationally renowned for its influential comedy scene, groundbreaking food and drink venues, and diverse neighborhoods, Chicago is also known for its high crime rates. In response to the prevalence of gang violence, sex trafficking, and drug use throughout the city, local police and public officials have invested millions of dollars hunting down and incarcerating…

For many people who have immigrated to the United States, permanent residency is a big step toward the path to citizenship. Once an individual has been classified a legal permanent resident, he or she has officially been granted authorization to live and work in the United States indefinitely. This generally means that he or she…

Picture this: it’s late at night, and you’re walking down Division Street in Humboldt Park. You pop into an alleyway to toss a bottle of soda into a dumpster. When you reemerge, a police officer approaches you and asks what you were doing. What do you do? In Chicago, it’s not uncommon for a police…