Criminal Defense

Hardly a day goes by when one does not see a video, whether online or on TV news broadcasts, of a crime being committed or a person in distress. With just about every single person now equipped with a video camera as part of their cell phone, the possibility of catching one of these incidents […]

The presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of the American legal system. When an individual has been charged with a crime, he or she is Innocent until proven guilty. Criminal defendants often face serious punitive consequences, including the death penalty. Therefore, the burden of proof is highest in criminal cases -higher than in any other

Footage from the body-cam of a Salt Lake City police officer recently went viral, causing a massive, national debate over the behavior of law enforcement in stressful situations. In the video, a nurse at a Salt Lake City hospital can be seen arguing with a police detective about his request to take blood from an

Television shows and movies may create a false picture of what it is like when someone is served with a search warrant by law enforcement. Many citizens are left with the impression of a polite knock on the door, presentation of the warrant, and then entry by police. While, in reality, that may happen from

Domestic life is filled with ups and downs. Under the very worst conditions, disagreements between couples sometimes result in threats or acts of intimidation or violence, be they physical or verbal. This could result in one party obtaining an order of protection against the other, which is a court-issued order prohibiting those accused of violence

When a person is arrested on the suspicion that he or she committed a crime , he or she has certain rights. You are probably familiar with some of them, including the right to remain silent, the right to have an attorney present during questioning, and the right to a trial by a jury of

The news often features reports of celebrity defendants who check themselves into drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs in an effort to gain leniency when faced with the prospect of criminal charges. In some instances, a judge may grant a defendant an opportunity to redeem themselves in order to avoid a stricter sentence. The use of

The long-standing ban on spring-assisted or switchblade knives could soon come to an end should a new bill recently passed by the Illinois state legislature be signed by Governor Bruce Rauner. Currently, in Illinois, any person who knowingly makes, sells, possesses, or uses a switchblade knife is subject to a charge of unlawful use of

According to recent estimates, more than 90 percent of American adults own and use a cell phone. This does not even account for those who use tablets or any other type of mobile electronic device. When cell phones were first introduced, their primary appeal was that they were perfect for business professional and others who

According to a recent analysis of public records, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in Cook County conducted 23,000 seizures of private property between since 2012. The study also indicated that a disproportionate number of the seizures occurred in the most poverty-stricken neighborhoods of Chicago—which also happen to be primarily communities of people of color. A

If you have ever watched a crime-related television program, you know that most episodes end with a suspect in handcuffs and, as the screen fades to black, you can hear the arresting officer begin to say, “You have the right to remain silent.” Thanks to this type of depiction in entertainment, most people are aware

Illinois law presumes that a criminal defendant facing charges for assault or another crime is fit to be tried and receive a sentence. However, the law also recognizes that circumstances might render a defendant unable to comprehend the proceedings against him or to help with his own case. If the defendant has a mental or