We wrote the chapters on Defenses, Arrests and Investigatory Stops, and Search and Seizure!
Have the police read Miranda rights to you or a family member? Have you been indicted or arrested for a felony or misdemeanor? Have you been served with a search warrant at your home or office? Are you being questioned in a criminal investigation? Do local authorities consider you a “person of interest”?
If so, an experienced criminal law attorney can help protect your rights and preserve your defense.
For many years the bulk of my practice as a criminal defense trial attorney has been dedicated to defending clients accused of committing serious crimes in the State of Illinois. While experienced attorneys here in the Chicago area vividly recall when the statute book for criminal offenses was merely a fraction of what it is now, the Illinois legislature continues to add new offenses every year, some brought on by changing technology.
Defending against each type of offense (new and old) requires a special approach or strategy. As an experienced defense attorney, I am familiar with all these approaches and continue to stay on top of new strategies as new crimes are enacted.
Did the police have probable cause to stop, arrest or search you. If you confessed, did the police read your rights? Did they honor your request for an attorney? If not, I can petition the judge to suppress the evidence from any illegal search or questioning.
Are there weaknesses in the evidence against you? Can the state prove all the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt? Can we take your case to trial with your particular judge? Or would a jury be more likely to acquit?
Even if the police acted legally and the evidence against you is overwhelming, an attorney who is respected in the courthouse may be able to negotiate a more favorable plea agreement than you might get on your own.
False Convictions: : While the media does not focus on such stories regularly, there are also countless instances of false convictions. Many of these are discussed at The Innocence Project website.
See our related bog post: What is the Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor?
