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 Aggravated [...]
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.
This week I finally resolved a client's case after months of negotiating, fighting and waiting for the prosecutor to come to their senses. My client was charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, more commonly known as UUW by a felon under 720 ILCS 5/24-1.1. Under this law, it is illegal for [...]
The recent gun violence over the July 4th holiday in Chicago has reignited the debate about whether stricter gun laws make a city more or less safe when it comes to gun violence. Conservative media outlets cite Chicago as an example of a city that has some of the nation’s strictest gun laws yet still [...]
New Illinois law to tackle gang leaders The Cook County State's Attorney's Office is taking a new approach to going after gun crime by utilizing a new anti-racketeering law. This new law will allow law enforcement to go after gang leaders and other high level gang members. Prosecutors in Cook County are working with Chicago [...]
UUW gun charges 720 ILCS 5/24-1 A man in the South Austin neighborhood will not be charged for firing back at two men who attempted to rob him because of his conceal and carry permit. The South Austin resident was entering his home when two individuals confronted him. One of the assailants brandished a handgun [...]
