In 2005, Florida became the first state to pass what would become known as the “Stand Your Ground” law, which effectively eliminated the “duty to retreat” component from the laws governing self-defense and the use of deadly force. Shortly thereafter, 22 additional states followed suit. Does Illinois Have “Stand Your Ground” Laws? Although Illinois did…
If you’re in trouble and you’re looking for a criminal attorney in Chicago, you don’t have to pick the first lawyer you find. In fact, you owe it to yourself to do a little research to make sure you’re working with a lawyer that understands your case… and one who has the experience and knowledge to…
When you’ve been accused of committing a crime, it’s usually a scramble to find the best criminal defense lawyer in Chicago. Many people feel pressured into retaining the first lawyer who picks up the phone – but that can be a mistake. Before you choose a criminal defense lawyer, you need to ask five important questions….
Last week, a Walmart truck rammed into comedian Tracy Morgan’s vehicle on the New Jersey Turnpike. The crash severely injured Morgan and killed one of his companions, James McNair. The driver pleaded “not guilty” at his arraignment, where prosecutors charged him with vehicular homicide and assault by auto. While we don’t have access to all…
Disorderly conduct. Usually when it comes up in conversation, it’s all a big joke – but it’s pretty serious to people who are actually charged with disorderly conduct in Chicago, Rolling Meadows, Skokie or Schaumberg. Disorderly Conduct: What is it, Really? The law says that somebody commits disorderly conduct in Chicago when he or she…
We’ve all heard the horror stories about police interrogations; we’ve seen them play “Good Cop, Bad Cop” on television, too. But police interrogators often really do use harsh tactics… sometimes harsh enough to draw out a false confession. If this has happened to you, the first thing you need to do is call a Rolling Meadows…
If you’re not working with a Rolling Meadows criminal defense attorney, chances are pretty slim that you’ll be offered a plea bargain. Either way, you need to know what it is – and what it could mean for your case. What is a Plea Bargain? A plea bargain is basically a deal offered by the prosecutor…
While “true crime” shows like Law & Order, CSI and others are entertaining, they’re not exactly accurate. In fact, they create a lot of myths about the criminal justice system – and if you fall prey to them, they could cause serious damage to your case. Any experienced Rolling Meadows criminal defense lawyer can tell you that,…
You see it on television all the time…shows like Law & Order or Suits commonly use the defense of self defense to exonerate someone charged with a violent crime like battery, attempt murder, or discharge of a firearm. But does it work in real life? The answer is YES! We as a society consider self…
