What Is Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in Illinois? If you are facing a gun charge in Chicago, you need to understand what you are up against. Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (UPW) is one of the most common firearm charges in Cook County, and it carries serious consequences. Under Illinois law (720 ILCS [...]
Facing weapons charges in Chicago, Illinois, can feel overwhelming, especially with the state’s complex and often unforgiving gun laws. A single mistake, such as carrying a firearm without the proper permit or misunderstanding transport rules, can quickly escalate into serious criminal charges that threaten your freedom and future. In this guide, we break down the [...]
People v. CR (Rolling Meadows, Illinois) In August 2024, criminal defense attorney Purav Bhatt’s client was in Chicago for work. He was stopped by police officers and his vehicle was searched. Searching the vehicle, police recovered a taser. They charged Purav Bhatt’s client with unlawful use of a weapon (UUW). The Law Office of Purav [...]
Chicago's struggle with gun violence is evident, with reports of shootings emerging nearly every day. Looking at Illinois as a whole, the state faces over 1,300 firearm-related fatalities each year. Notably, homicides account for more than half of these deaths. The firearm death rate in Illinois is worryingly higher than the average across the country. [...]
PEOPLE V. E.F. E.F. was arrested after driving with his headlights off. After being curbed, the officer’s smelled cannabis and ordered all occupants of the vehicle out of the car. E.F. owned the vehicle and was driving. Upon searching the vehicle a firearm was recovered in the center console and E.F. was charged with [...]
PEOPLE V B.G. B.G. was charged with the illegal sale of a firearm. B.G., an Indiana resident had lawfully purchased and owned the firearm in Indiana but sold the firearm to a resident of Illinois. B.G. was arrested and charged in violation of 720 ILCS 5/24-3, a class 1 felony, punishable by 4-15 years in [...]
PEOPLE v A.S. A.S., a resident of Indiana, was in Chicago for the weekend with her husband when she was pulled over in her vehicle for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop police recovered a firearm in A.S.’s purse and charged her with felony charges of possession of a weapon (720 ILCS 5/24-1. Attorney [...]
PEOPLE v F.S. On the night of the Mexican Independence Day parade, F.S. was intoxicated and was observed throwing rocks at Chicago Police Department officers. As a result, F.S. was arrested, taken into custody, and searched where police officers recovered a loaded firearm on F.S. F.S. did not have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card [...]
Juvenile was charged with armed robbery (720 ilcs 5/18-1) using a pellet gun. Attorney Purav Bhatt challenged and attacked the State's evidence in pre-trial negotiations to the extent that the State subsequently dismissed all charges against the minor.
