Posted on October 12, 2026 in Gun & Weapons Crimes

Armed robbery is a serious felony in Illinois that can lead to many years in prison. The penalties depend on the circumstances of the offense, including the type of weapon involved, whether a gun was fired, and whether anyone was injured.

If you are facing armed robbery charges in 2026, a Chicago criminal defense lawyer can explain the possible penalties and help you understand your legal options.

What Is Armed Robbery Under Illinois Law?

Armed robbery starts with robbery. Robbery means knowingly taking property from someone or from their immediate surroundings by using force or threatening to use force right away. Robbery on its own is usually a Class 2 felony. However, certain circumstances, such as a victim being 60 or older, can make it a Class 1 felony.

Under 720 ILCS 5/18-2, robbery becomes armed robbery when the person committing it has a firearm or another dangerous weapon with them. The law also covers cases where the person fires a gun during the robbery. The penalties are even harsher if the gunfire causes serious injuries, leaves someone with a permanent disability or lasting scars, or takes someone’s life.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 28, 2026 in Violent Crimes

Aggravated vehicular hijacking in Illinois is taking a vehicle from someone by force or the threat of force, with at least one additional factor that makes the offense more serious. It is always a Class X felony, the most serious class below first-degree murder, and probation is not available. If you are facing this charge in 2026, a Cook County, IL violent crimes defense lawyer can explain exactly which subsection you are charged under and what it means.

What Makes a Hijacking Charge Aggravated in Illinois?

A hijacking charge becomes aggravated when any one of six listed factors is present. The base offense appears in 720 ILCS 5/18-3, which covers knowingly taking a motor vehicle from the person or the immediate presence of another by using force or threatening the imminent use of force. By itself, that is a Class 1 felony.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 14, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Illinois law specifically addresses some sexual images created or altered with computer technology. Creating or sharing certain AI-generated sexual images can lead to criminal charges in Illinois. Possession of AI-generated sexual images can also be illegal, but a recent federal court ruling may affect the consequences someone faces for possession.

If you are facing an investigation or charge involving AI-generated images in 2026, our Chicago internet sex crimes defense lawyer can help you build a defense strategy.

What Does Illinois Law Say About AI-Generated Images Depicting Minors?

Under 720 ILCS 5/11-20.4, Illinois law covers certain computer-generated or altered sexual images that appear to depict a child. The statute applies to an "obscene depiction of a purported child," including certain computer-generated images and videos.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 19, 2026 in Violent Crimes

Fighting an attempted first-degree murder charge in Illinois requires challenging whether the state can show that you took a substantial step toward killing someone with the specific intent to cause death. This intent element is often the hardest part of the charge for prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

If you're facing an attempted murder charge in 2026, our Cook County, IL criminal defense lawyer can help you understand the evidence against you and build a strong defense.

What Does the State Have to Prove for Attempted Murder in Illinois?

Under 720 ILCS 5/8-4, a person commits an attempt when they do any act that constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of an offense, with the intent to commit that offense. This means the state must prove two things for attempted first-degree murder. You took a substantial step toward killing someone. You specifically intended to cause their death, not just injury.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 06, 2026 in DUI/DWI

Blood alcohol tests are often treated as strong evidence in Illinois DUI cases, but they aren't as foolproof as you’d think. Errors in testing, handling, and storage can all affect the accuracy of the results. If you're facing DUI charges based on a blood test in 2026, our Chicago DUI defense lawyer can help you understand whether the results in your case can actually be trusted.

How Does Blood Alcohol Testing Work in Illinois DUI Cases?

When someone is arrested for DUI in Illinois, police may request a blood test to measure blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501.2, Illinois law sets rules for how chemical tests, including blood tests, must be administered and how the results can be used in court.

A blood sample is typically drawn at a hospital or by a trained professional, then sent to a lab for analysis. The lab measures the amount of alcohol in the blood and reports this as a percentage. In Illinois, a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher is considered legally intoxicated for most drivers.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 21, 2026 in Violent Crimes

A battery charge becomes aggravated battery in Illinois when certain factors are present. This can include causing serious injury, using a weapon, or targeting a protected victim like a police officer or elderly person. But the word "aggravated" changes everything. It turns a misdemeanor into a felony with far more serious consequences. If you’ve been charged with aggravated battery in 2026, our Cook County criminal defense lawyer can help you understand exactly why your charge was elevated and what that means for your case.

What Is the Difference Between Battery and Aggravated Battery in Illinois?

Simple battery in Illinois is generally charged as a misdemeanor under 720 ILCS 5/12-3. It involves knowingly causing bodily harm to another person. It can also mean making physical contact that is insulting or provoking.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 04, 2026 in Sex Crimes

In some situations, prior allegations can be used against you at trial for aggravated criminal sexual assault charges. In others, the law provides strong protections that keep that information out. Knowing which rules apply and how to challenge evidence that should not be admitted can make a significant difference in what happens to you. If you are facing an aggravated criminal sexual assault charge in Illinois in 2026, a Chicago sex crimes defense lawyer can fight to protect your rights and make sure only legally admissible evidence is used against you.

What Is Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault in Illinois?

Under 720 ILCS 5/11-1.30, this offense involves sexual penetration by force or threat of force along with specific aggravating factors. These factors can include using a weapon, causing bodily harm, committing the offense during another felony, or the victim being a minor or a person with a disability.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 26, 2026 in Violent Crimes

With a homicide arrest, everything moves fast. The decisions made in the first hours and days can have a lasting impact on the outcome of the case. If you or someone you love has been arrested for homicide in Illinois in 2026, knowing what comes next can help you avoid critical mistakes that could negatively impact your defense. Our Cook County, IL criminal defense lawyer can step in immediately to protect your rights and start building a personalized defense.

What Happens Immediately After a Homicide Arrest?

After you go through the booking process, the police may attempt to question you. This is one of the most critical moments in the entire process. You have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment, and you should exercise it immediately. Do not try to explain yourself or clear up misunderstandings. Do not answer questions without an attorney present. Anything you say will be recorded and can be used against you in court.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 10, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Under Illinois law, grooming means communicating with a child in a way that is meant to result in sexual activity. Charges can be filed based on messages alone, even if no physical contact ever happened. Being accused of grooming means facing the possibility of life-changing consequences. If you are under investigation or have been charged in 2026, a Chicago, IL crimes against children defense lawyer can step in right away to protect your rights and start building your defense.

How Does Illinois Define Grooming?

Illinois law addresses grooming under 720 ILCS 5/11-25. This law makes it a crime to use any form of communication, including text messages, social media, or any other electronic platform, to communicate with a child for the purpose of enticing them into sexual conduct. The law does not require any physical meeting or sexual act to actually take place for the interaction to be considered grooming. The communication itself can be enough for a charge if the intent was to lure or seduce.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 26, 2026 in Violent Crimes

If the prosecution does not have enough evidence to prove every part of the charge against you, a battery case in Illinois could potentially be dismissed before it ever reaches trial. If you are facing a battery charge in 2026, a Cook County, IL criminal defense lawyer can review the evidence and help you understand where the weaknesses in the prosecution's case might be.

Under 720 ILCS 5/12-3, battery means knowingly hurting someone or touching them in an insulting or offensive way without a legal reason. Every word in that definition matters. The prosecution has to prove each part of it beyond a reasonable doubt. If they cannot do that, the case should not move forward.

What Does the Prosecution Have To Prove in a Battery Case?

The prosecution carries the entire burden in a battery case. You do not have to prove you are innocent. They have to prove you are guilty.

Continue Reading ››