Robbery involves theft with the use or threat of physical force. Illinois takes violent crimes very seriously, and robbery is considered a felony offense. Punishable by years or even decades in prison, it is one of the most harshly penalized crimes in Illinois law. If you or a loved one were accused of robbery or armed robbery, seek guidance from an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer will help you build a strong legal strategy and represent you throughout the criminal proceedings.
Robbery Charges Threaten Your Future
Being convicted of a felony offense will have a dramatic…
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When a person is arrested and charged with a crime in Illinois, there are a number of steps in the criminal justice process between that arrest and the resolution of the case. One of the first steps after an arrest is arraignment. The outcome of that arraignment can actually set the tone for the way the rest of the process will go. If you have been charged with a crime, it is important to have a skilled Chicago defense attorney representing you during the entire process.
What Is an Arraignment
An arraignment is a hearing held in a courtroom with…
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Last June, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the City of Chicago released a fairly negative report regarding the lack of protocols and procedures by the Chicago Police Department for its records management and production system. Included in the report was a list of corrective recommendations for the department to implement. One year later, a new investigation has found that the department has taken almost no steps to address the issues in the OIG report. The question for the public is: How does the Chicago PD’s flawed system impact defendants’ constitutional rights and their ability to defend themselves against…
Continue Reading Could Chicago PD’s Record-Keeping Failures Interfere with a Defendant’s Rights?

In our last blog post, we discussed some of the highlights of the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity – Today (SAFE-T) Act, recently passed by the Illinois legislature, as it applies to policing, arrests, and detention. The act also made changes to how the courts should address certain issues in sentencing if a person has been convicted of a crime, as well as changes to incarceration and decarceration programs. The following is a brief overview of these changes.
Changes in Sentencing
One of the criteria that judges look at when determining the sentence a convicted defendant will receive…
Continue Reading Major Changes to the Illinois Criminal Justice System – Part II

Earlier this year, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity – Today, or SAFE-T Act, into law. The SAFE-T act makes extensive changes to the Illinois criminal justice system, many of which went into effect on July 1. The act aims to ensure that every citizen’s constitutional rights are protected in their interactions with law enforcement, the court system, and the corrections system. If you are facing criminal charges, you may find that it affects your case. Here, we look at some of the changes that the SAFE-T Act brings to policing, arrests, and detention in Illinois.
Continue Reading Major Changes to the Illinois Criminal Justice System – Part I

In Illinois and many other states, it is illegal to use your cell phone and drive. The reasoning behind the law is that texting or talking on the phone while driving is incredibly dangerous. In 2019, for instance, distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,142 people according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Therefore, police prioritize cell phone violations much like they would other serious traffic offenses like DUI.
However, cell phones are one of those modern-day conveniences that are difficult to live without. In addition to using it for communication, a cell phone also gives you…
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In common use, and in the laws of some states, the terms “assault” and “battery” are often used interchangeably. However, in Illinois, while they are often heard in conjunction with one another, they each have specific legal definitions and are considered separate crimes. So, what is the difference between assault and battery in Illinois?
Assault Charges in Illinois
According to Illinois law, you assault someone when you act in a way that leads them to fear that you will physically harm them or make unwanted physical contact. As a simple example, if you say to a person, “I’m going to…
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In order to secure a conviction on charges of drug possession, the State of Illinois generally needs evidence of the drugs in question. In most cases, this evidence is obtained through a search of the offender’s person or property. However, these searches are not permitted under just any circumstances. If you are facing drug possession charges, you should understand when Illinois law enforcement is—or is not—justified in executing a search.
When Can Law Enforcement Get a Search Warrant?
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides protection from unreasonable search and seizure. In effect, this means that law enforcement…
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Allegations of domestic violence can have serious consequences for the accused, especially if they result in a conviction for a criminal offense like assault or battery. However, in some cases the consequences can start to take effect much sooner. If you are accused of domestic violence, you could be immediately arrested and detained, and it is important that you understand your rights.
Are Domestic Violence Arrests Mandatory in Illinois? 
Many states have mandatory arrest laws for cases involving allegations of domestic violence, requiring a responding law enforcement officer to take the accused into custody if there is probable cause to…
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Under Illinois law, traffic violations range widely from minor offenses resulting only in fines and driver’s license points, to serious crimes that can result in prison sentences and additional consequences. Reckless driving is an example of the latter. However, it can be difficult to know whether you will face this serious charge after an arrest because of the somewhat vague definition of reckless driving. This makes it all the more important to hire an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible.
Reckless Driving Defined
According to the Illinois Vehicle Code, there is one specific offense that constitutes reckless driving: knowingly…
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As is common throughout the United States, Illinois outlaws many forms of violent crime. If you are accused of a crime involving harm or attempted harm toward another person, the severity of the charges you face depends in large part on the circumstances surrounding the alleged criminal act. One factor that can significantly increase the severity of a criminal sentence is the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of the crime.
Deadly Weapons and Aggravated Offenses in Illinois
A number of crimes in Illinois become much more serious when a weapon is involved. Depending on the circumstances,…
Continue Reading How Does a Deadly Weapon Affect the Severity of Illinois Crimes?