What Happens When You Get Arrested?
Being arrested can be frightening and stressful. You might not know your rights or what to do next. Fortunately, you can hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to represent you. Your lawyer can guide you through the complex legal process and create a strategy to defend you against the charge or charges that you face....
Read MoreCan I Get “Day-for-Day” Credit on my Jail Sentence?
Figuring out how much time you will actually serve on your criminal prison sentence or jail sentence can be a confusing task, even for experienced lawyers. People convicted of crimes in Illinois often mistakenly assume they will receive “day-for-day” credit automatically, regardless of their charge. The phrase “day-for-day” is a legal term of art which...
Read MoreHow Does Electronic Monitoring in Chicago Work?
Currently, there are over 2,000 people on the Cook County Electronic Home Monitoring program (EM) run by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). The program is meant to ease overcrowding in the jails and allow an accused person in Chicago or elsewhere in Cook County to serve at least part of their sentence at home...
Read MoreDifferences Between Drug Trafficking and Possession
When it comes to drug crimes in Illinois, police and prosecutors generally want to punish dealers and distributors more than users. Accordingly, the potential penalties for trafficking or distributing illegal drugs are often much harsher than the penalties for simply possessing these drugs. A possession charge could send you to jail for a few months...
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About Illinois Weapons Charges
While the U.S. Constitution gives all Americans the right to keep and bear guns, there are strict laws concerning how and where guns and other lethal weapons can be used. Illinois has some of the toughest gun laws in the country, and violating these laws often carries stiff penalties. If you own a gun or...
Read MoreStreet Racing in Chicago: How to Lose Your License Fast & Furious(ly)
Street racing events are becoming more popular in the City of Chicago and across Illinois. Recently neighborhoods like Pilsen, the West Loop, and the South Side have become inundated with late night ‘street takeovers’ wherein souped-up vehicles will engage in dangerous traffic stunts like donuts and “drifting” at busy intersections. The scenes attract hundreds of...
Read MoreWhat To Do if You Are Caught with a Schedule II Drug in Illinois?
While attitudes toward drug crimes are changing in Illinois, especially when it comes to drug possession, being caught with drugs can still lead to criminal penalties. The drug you are caught with makes a significant difference in terms of the potential penalties you may face, and Schedule II drugs carry some of the harshest penalties...
Read MoreEverything You Need to Know About Your Heroin Charge
Heroin is generally considered one of the most harmful illegal drugs people use, and the penalties for being caught with even a small amount of heroin in Illinois can be substantial. Being found guilty of heroin possession could send you to jail for several years, and you could be forced to pay a hefty fine...
Read MoreFive Things You Should Consider Before Taking a Plea Deal
The vast majority of criminal cases in Illinois never make it to trial. Instead, most of these cases end in a plea deal where the defendant accepts guilt for a charge in exchange for a reduced sentence. But while a plea deal can be beneficial for many criminal defendants and spare them the worst possible...
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