Homicide is the killing of one human being by another. It is a serious crime in Chicago, and anyone who is accused of it can face life in prison. However, it is important to remember that the victim of an attempted homicide can also be charged with a crime. This is because the initial criminal charges do not always distinguish between who is the aggressor and who was simply using violence to protect themselves in a situation involving violent crime.
Speaking with a criminal defense attorney can help when facing homicide charges. You do not have to face them alone.
Continue Reading Can I Be Charged with Homicide if I Was Using Self-Defense?

When it comes to criminal charges, being aware of the distinctions between different offenses is crucial for building a strong defense. In the city of Chicago, Illinois, two commonly misunderstood charges are burglary and robbery. Whether you find yourself facing burglary or robbery charges, understanding the nuances of these offenses is essential to protecting your rights and navigating the legal system effectively.
Understanding Burglary Charges in Chicago
Burglary is a serious offense in which an individual unlawfully enters a building or structure with the intent to commit a felony or theft inside. It is important to note that the…
Continue Reading Understanding the Difference between Burglary and Robbery Charges in Chicago, Illinois

The security of our homes and personal spaces is very important and yet, sometimes it can be taken for granted. Unfortunately, instances of home invasion can shatter that sense of safety and leave lasting emotional and physical scars. In Illinois, the law takes home invasion seriously and provides stringent measures to protect individuals and their properties.
What is a Home Invasion?
Home invasion refers to the unlawful entry into a dwelling with the intent to commit a felony or inflict harm on the occupants. It is important to note that mere unauthorized entry without criminal intent does not constitute home…
Continue Reading Know Your Rights: Home Invasion Laws in Illinois and Chicago Explained

Most people are aware that if you are charged with retail theft or shoplifting in Illinois, you may face harsh criminal consequences that could seriously affect your future. These effects frequently include being able to find work, qualify for housing, and receive loan approval, among other things. With all mentioned above, it is important to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. 
What Are the Penalties for Retail Theft?
The severity of the punishment for retail theft typically depends on the value of the goods that were either stolen or attempted to be stolen. You will likely be charged with…
Continue Reading What to Know When You Have Been Accused of Retail Theft in Cook County, Illinois

If you or someone you know has been arrested for a drug paraphernalia charge in Illinois, it can be a scary and overwhelming experience. However, it is important to stay calm and take the necessary steps to protect your rights.
Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer Immediately
The first and most important step is to contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately. A skilled lawyer can guide you through the legal process, explain your rights, and defend your case in court. It’s important to find a lawyer who is familiar with Illinois drug laws and has experience handling drug paraphernalia cases. A…
Continue Reading What to Do If You Are Arrested for a Drug Paraphernalia Charge in Illinois: A Guide for Protecting Your Rights

When a driver in Illinois refuses to submit to or fails a chemical test for an alleged driving under the influence (DUI) offense, it can result in a statutory summary suspension of driving privileges. State law provides that a person fails a chemical test when they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more, a THC level above the legal limit, or other illicit substances in their system.
Statutory summary suspensions are automatic and become effective 46 days after the date of a suspension notice. People can request judicial hearings to challenge arrests, but the requests may not…
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The Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 is established under 750 Illinois Compiled Statute (ILCS) § 60. Domestic battery is one of the most common kinds of domestic violence offenses committed in the state. Domestic violence charges are only applicable when allged crimes are commited against certain types of people.
Under 750 ILCS § 60/103(6), domestic violence offenses involve harm against spouses, former spouses, parents, children, stepchildren and other people who are related by blood or by present or prior marriage, people sharing or formerly sharing a common dwelling, people with a child in common, and people with dating or…
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Most people in Illinois are aware that the state imposes criminal penalties for drinking and driving, but fewer realize that criminal penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) crimes increase with repeat offenses. If you were arrested for a second or third DUI offense, you may be facing severe criminal penalties. It is important to work with a DUI defense lawyer who can help you defend yourself against the charges. 
Repeat DUI Penalties in Illinois
There are administrative penalties for failing a chemical blood alcohol content that are separate from any criminal penalties resulting from a DUI conviction. Many DUI…
Continue Reading What Are the Penalties for Repeat DUI Convictions?

Illinois legalized marijuana in 2020, and adults over 21 years of age are able to legally possess, consume, and purchase cannabis in the state. However, it must be consumed on private property or properties with on-premises consumption licenses.  Public consumption is still illegal in Chicago. It is also illegal for people to consume cannabis in any vehicle or operate a motor vehicle under the influence of cannabis. Cannabis may be transported in a vehicle but it cannot be accessible by any occupant of the vehicle during transportation and must be in a child-resistant container. Cannabis purchased in Illinois cannot be…
Continue Reading How Marijuana Charges Work in Illinois Now

Roadside sobriety testing can be embarrassing, frightening, and sometimes confusing. Officers do not always use the most reliable or reasonable methods for attempting to make a snap judgment about a person’s level of intoxication. More than that, roadside sobriety testing can sometimes be greatly unfair, occasionally to the point where the results genuinely reveal little or nothing about whether a person is intoxicated. Police officers are often more interested in making a DUI arrest than in ensuring fair and reasonable field sobriety tests, on which they frequently base their decisions to make an arrest. Many factors, from weather-related challenges to…
Continue Reading Were Your Roadside Sobriety Test Results Valid?

Violence is all too common in Chicago. The city is known for having constant struggles with violent crime, often including a disproportionate amount of homicides and shootings. Attempts to crack down on violent offenses are underway – and you do not want to get caught in a wave of prosecutions against those accused of committing them. If you have been charged with an assaultive offense, it is important that you understand what your particular charge actually means. You may find that your charges seem incredibly aggressive or are far too severe in regards to what actually happened. In many cases,…
Continue Reading Understanding Your Violent Crime Charges