Posted on April 23, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Aggravated assault and attempted murder are among the most violent crimes. Both are serious charges that carry severe penalties if convicted. If you have been charged with either of these crimes, you should contact an experienced Cook County, IL violent crimes attorney to learn more about the specific charges against you and what defense strategy would work best in your case.

Definitions of Aggravated Assault and Attempted Murder

According to Illinois statute 720 ILCS 5/12-2, aggravated assault is a form of assault that is escalated by specific factors. Typically, if you use a dangerous weapon or behave in a way that implies that you will use a deadly weapon to cause someone bodily harm, you can be charged with aggravated assault. A deadly weapon could be a firearm, a vehicle, or any object that could be considered a weapon.

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 Posted on April 14, 2025 in Criminal Defense

The consequences of a violent domestic battery conviction extend beyond the immediate penalties. The legal aftermath can be life-changing, affecting everything from your personal relationships to your financial situation. If you have been charged with battery after a domestic altercation, a Chicago, IL domestic battery defense attorney can help you understand the charges against you and what they could mean for your future.

Employment With a Criminal Record

One of the most damaging effects of a battery conviction is that it will appear on your criminal record indefinitely. In 1991, Illinois passed the Uniform Conviction Information Act, requiring the state police to make public a collection of a person’s criminal convictions. Note that charges alone are not public, only convictions.

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 Posted on March 21, 2025 in Criminal Defense

There are few more terrifying and stressful legal situations to find yourself in than facing false allegations of murder. You know you did not do what you are being accused of, but the police are convinced that you did and are treating you like a criminal when you are innocent. Although it might feel like you are experiencing your worst-case scenario, it is important to remember that you have rights and ways to protect yourself. Being accused is not the same as being charged, and a skilled Chicago, IL criminal defense attorney can explain your options and build an aggressive case to defend you.

What Should I Do if I Am Falsely Accused of Murder?

Step 1: Remain Calm and Avoid Self-Incrimination

It is important to remain calm, even though you are likely overwhelmed and distressed. Responding impulsively or angrily can have a severe impact later on. Never make statements to law enforcement or anyone else about the case until you consult with an attorney. Anything you say can be used against you in court, so you must exercise your right to remain silent. Remember, under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, you have the right not to incriminate yourself.

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 Posted on March 10, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Most people think that murder charges can only be brought against someone who directly caused another person’s death. In Illinois, even if you did not pull the trigger, you can still be charged with murder. If you help or take part in a crime that leads to someone's death, you could face serious charges, including first-degree murder. A skilled Illinois criminal defense lawyer can explain why and what you can do about it.

Illinois Law and Murder Charges

There are various ways you can end up facing murder charges even if you did not do anything that directly ended someone else’s life. 

The Felony Murder Rule

In Illinois, when someone dies while a felony is committed, for example, during a burglary or robbery, anyone involved in that crime can be charged with murder – even if they did not intend for anyone to die.

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 Posted on February 20, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Threatening a judge is a serious crime in Illinois and can result in felony charges. However, certain words and actions can be interpreted as a threat even if you did not actually mean any harm. If you are accused, it is no joking matter and you should consult with a knowledgeable Illinois criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to understand your options.

What Counts as a Threat?

A threat can be something direct, like saying you will harm a judge, or indirect, like suggesting that something bad might happen to him or her. Whether you are speaking in a serious tone, joking around, or having an outburst during a heated moment, it does not matter.

Posting about your case on social media and saying that the judge had better watch out, sending an angry email that implies the judge will regret ruling a certain way, speaking or acting in court in a way that is seen as intimidating, or even making wordless gestures that are suggestive of violence could all be considered threats, depending on the circumstances.

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 Posted on February 07, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Defendants have the right to have their cases heard by a jury of their peers, but what happens if that is not possible? When people report for jury duty, both the defense and prosecution can question them to understand whether they might have something in their background that would make them judge the defendant based on anything other than the facts of the case. However, sometimes there are unknown biases that do not come to light from pretrial questioning and can impact the outcome of the case. To understand more about how you can fight jury bias in your criminal case, speak with an experienced Illinois criminal defense lawyer.

What is Jury Bias?

Jury bias can take many forms. Sometimes, jurors have subconscious prejudices against defendants who are accused of certain crimes. Other times, they might be influenced by social media, news reports, what their friends tell them, or their personal experiences with law enforcement and the justice system. In high-profile cases, exposure to pretrial publicity can also lead jurors to have strong opinions about the case before a trial even begins.

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 Posted on January 23, 2025 in Criminal Defense

In Illinois, the legal difference between hiring an escort and hiring a prostitute is mainly based on the services provided and the specific intentions involved. While both involve paying for companionship, they can be treated differently under the law. If you have questions about solicitation charges, speak with an experienced Illinois criminal defense lawyer who can review your case and explain your options.

What Happens When You Hire an Escort?

If you hire an escort, it typically means you are paying someone for their companionship. People can hire escorts to accompany them to a social gathering, join them on a trip, or provide their company in any other scenario, without any explicit arrangement involving sexual services. As long as there is no exchange of money for sex, escort services are legal. If, however, the escort offers sexual services in addition to companionship as part of the paid arrangement, it could be considered prostitution, which is illegal.

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 Posted on January 09, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Illinois treats hate crimes particularly seriously and charges can result in harsher penalties compared to similar crimes that are not motivated by bias. When a defendant is convicted of a hate crime, the judge can use the defendant’s motivation as an aggravating factor, leading to a more severe sentence. If you are facing criminal charges for an offense that could be considered a hate crime, speak with a qualified Chicago, IL criminal defense attorney about how it could impact your potential sentence and what you can do about it.

What is Considered a Hate Crime?

When a person or group seems to be targeted based on their religious affiliation, ethnicity, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability, it is typically considered a hate crime. For example, if a place of worship, like a church, mosque, or synagogue, is vandalized, it can often be treated as a hate crime because the act targets a specific religious group. The motivation behind the alleged crime is the key to a hate crime charge. For someone to be convicted, the prosecution needs to prove that the person intended to harm the victim because of their identity or group affiliation.

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 Posted on December 23, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Attempted murder is one of the most serious charges you can face. When charged in Illinois, you could end up spending decades in prison. If you are accused of attempted murder, it is crucial to work with a skilled Illinois criminal defense lawyer who is dedicated to protecting your rights and safeguarding your future.

What Does Attempted Murder Mean in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, attempted murder occurs when someone does something substantial with the intention to kill another person. The key elements of this crime are intent to kill and a substantial step taken to do so. To be charged with attempted murder, the intended victim does not need to be harmed in any way; the attempt alone can result in charges.

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 Posted on December 11, 2024 in Criminal Defense

In Illinois, people are legally allowed to defend themselves from intruders in their homes. While this idea, known as the Castle Doctrine, may seem straightforward, it becomes complicated when the person protecting his home ends up using a deadly weapon against someone he considers a threat. Is the Castle Doctrine enough to keep you out of jail after you open fire on another person? Is it a strong enough defense to avoid a criminal conviction for using deadly force? To learn more, speak with an accomplished Chicago, IL criminal defense lawyer.

What is The Castle Doctrine?

Based on the idea that a person’s home is their "castle" and you do not need to retreat if you are attacked in your own space, the Castle Doctrine states that you have the right to use force if someone enters your home unlawfully or tries to harm you or your family. This force can even be deadly if the situation calls for it. You are under no obligation to flee from the threat. Instead you are rather authorized to confront it.

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