Posted on March 08, 2024 in Theft

The popularity of TikTok videos has fueled the theft of motor vehicles in the past few years. In 2023, there were a reported 29,063 stolen vehicles in the Windy City. Earlier this year, there were 457 vehicles stolen in a single week.

If you have been accused of stealing a motor vehicle in Chicago, you deserve dependable legal counsel. Our Chicago motor vehicle theft attorney would like to discuss the legal implications of motor vehicle theft charges.

Illinois Law Against Car Theft

According to 625 ILCS 5/4-103, you will be considered in possession of a stolen motor vehicle if any of the following circumstances apply:

• If you do not own the motor vehicle and attempt to dispose of or sell the vehicle with the knowledge that it is stolen

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 Posted on February 22, 2024 in Violent Crimes

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that "violence only begets more violence. It is a never-ending cycle." While true, some people do take the life of another person for countless reasons.

While killing another person is considered the most atrocious offense one person could commit, the law does not see all killings the same. The law classifies homicides based on the offender’s state of mind during the commission of the act. Illinois law is no different.

If you are facing homicide charges, you need a Chicago criminal defense lawyer to defend these heinous charges levied against you.

Murder versus Manslaughter

Illinois law does make a distinction between first-degree and second-degree murder. In first-degree murder, the defendant must have an intent to kill. First-degree murder requires either planning (premeditation) or an intent to cause great bodily harm.

If there are certain mitigating factors, the charge may be reduced from first-degree to second-degree murder. Second-degree murder may entail a killing in the heat of the moment, like if the defendant intended to kill another person but killed the victim instead.

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 Posted on February 11, 2024 in Drug Crimes

Under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, drug trafficking occurs when anyone knowingly brings or helps to bring a controlled substance into the state with the intent to manufacture or deliver the drug.

In a recent year, the Prairie State was home to 406 drug arrests per 100,000 people. Due to the danger drug trafficking poses to public safety, these charges are often more severe than simple possession charges.

An experienced Chicago drug trafficking lawyer can give you an overview of drug trafficking and the types of penalties you may be up against if you are convicted.

What are the Penalties for Drug Trafficking?

In Illinois, drug trafficking is commonly charged as a felony, ranging from a Class 3 to a Class X felony, with certain drug trafficking being considered a misdemeanor offense.

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 Posted on January 27, 2024 in Violent Crimes

Illinois law defines battery as any unwanted physical contact that is provoking or insulting or causes another person bodily harm. Battery is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a potential sentence of one year in prison and a fine of $2,500.

However, there are circumstances in which a battery charge can become an aggravated battery charge. Certain factors can enhance the charge, resulting in steeper fines and additional jail time. These factors can make the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony charge.

If you have been arrested or charged with battery, do not hesitate to contact a Chicago assault lawyer.

Aggravated Battery in Illinois

720 ILCS 5/12-3.05 states that aggravated battery is based upon bodily injury to others. The statute states that any of the following circumstances may lead to an aggravated battery charge:

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 Posted on January 11, 2024 in Sex Crimes

If you have been convicted of a sex crime, you may be facing jail time, probation, and hefty fines. However, after you are released, you will be required to register on the sex offender registry.

The registry is available to the public, and the collateral consequences can affect your ability to live a normal life. If you have been accused of a sex crime, it is critical that you hire a Chicago sex crimes attorney to protect your good name.

You Might Be Listed on the Sex Offender Registry

If you have been convicted of a sex crime in Illinois, you will likely need to register as a sex offender for a minimum of 10 years. For most sex offenders, you will need to re-register annually. If you are deemed a sexual predator, you will need to re-register every 90 days.

The national sex offender registry lists the sex offenders in all 50 states. Each entry includes the sex offender’s full name, photograph, aliases, current age, past and present places of residence, and past and present places of employment. Within one click, your reputation can be forever ruined.

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 Posted on December 23, 2023 in Violent Crimes

Eyewitness testimony can sway a jury from a not-guilty to a guilty verdict, or vice versa. This testimony is often more widely available and can be used on its own to convict a defendant in a criminal trial.

While an eyewitness may testify to seeing certain events unfold, many eyewitnesses are mistaken. An estimated 77,000 suspects are arrested each year on eyewitness testimony. However, studies show that mistaken eyewitness testimony can be attributed to more than 50% of all wrongful convictions.

If you have been charged with a crime, do not hesitate to contact an experienced Chicago criminal defense attorney who can help assess the reliability of eyewitness testimony in your case.

Factors that Affect Eyewitness Testimony

There are several factors that will affect the credibility of eyewitness testimony:

Lighting and Environmental Conditions

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 Posted on December 11, 2023 in Domestic Violence

Domestic battery is taken seriously in Illinois, with even a first offense carrying severe consequences. Under Illinois law, a person commits domestic battery if the individual physically harms or makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature to a household or family member.

Defending domestic violence charges can be challenging, and you may not know what your next steps should be. If you are facing domestic battery allegations, it is time to consult with a Chicago domestic battery lawyer.

Who Qualifies as a Family or Household Member?

Domestic battery occurs when an act of violence is committed against a family or household member. Under the law, the following individuals qualify as family or household members:

• Spouses and former spouses
• Parents and children
• Stepchildren

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 Posted on November 29, 2023 in Violent Crimes

A person’s intent behind a killing can make the difference between life in prison and a shorter sentence. While first-degree murder carries a prison sentence of twenty years to life in prison, manslaughter normally will require the offender to spend less than 15 years in jail.

Below, we provide an overview of manslaughter and murder charges and how intent can determine the severity of your punishment. If you are facing charges, speak with our Chicago criminal defense lawyer directly.

First-Degree Murder

In Illinois, first-degree murder requires the prosecutor to prove one of the following three elements at trial:

• The defendant had an intention to kill or cause great bodily harm.

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 Posted on November 16, 2023 in Violent Crimes

Every state has different laws regarding self-defense. Illinois allows the use of self-defense if you are trying to protect yourself against someone illegally entering your property or if you are being attacked.

While the use of self-defense may be justified, it can lead to killing another person. If you used self-defense and are now facing homicide charges, you need to speak with a Chicago homicide defense attorney today.

Is Self-Defense Permitted in Illinois?

According to Illinois law 720 ILCS 5/7-1, a person is allowed to use self-defense "to the extent that he reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or another against such other’s imminent use of unlawful force." 

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 Posted on October 26, 2023 in Criminal Defense

The Prairie State is no stranger to crime. In the past three decades, there have been 1.5 million offenders charged with a felony in Illinois. 

Illinois classifies felonies based on severity, ranging from a Class 4 felony (least serious) to a Class X felony (most serious).

If you have been charged with a Class 1 felony in Illinois, never wait to seek help from a Chicago criminal defense lawyer. 

Class 1 Felony Crimes in Illinois

A Class 1 felony is the second most serious type of felony in Illinois. The most common type of class 1 felonies in Illinois are:

• Criminal Sexual Assault (known as “rape” in other states)

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