Once again hundreds of thousands of festival goers will come to Chicago to see their favorite bands, make new friends, and party. As a criminal defense attorney in Chicago, I've experienced the aftermath of a weekend of Lollapalooza. People call me after they've been arrested for drug possession (720 ILCS 570/402). All types of drugs: [...]
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.
Students Charged with Retail Theft Chicago has numerous colleges throughout the city. Because of the numerous college campuses in the city, Chicago is flooded with students from across the world here studying to receive a world-class education. One of the most common criminal charges that college age students approach me with is retail theft. Chicago [...]
Introduction In Illinois, anyone arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI) must undergo an alcohol and drug evaluation before sentencing can occur for the DUI offense, or restricted or full driving privileges can be granted by the Secretary of State. The Evaluation The purpose of the evaluation is to determine the [...]
After 2 years of arguing, litigating, trials and playing a legal "game of chicken", my client's final case was dismissed this week. When I met him, he was in the Illinois Department of Corrections on a violation of probation for a drug case. The cause for the violation? He was arrested and charged with possession [...]
When it comes to drugs, any kind, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, ecstasy or pills, they have to start somewhere and end somewhere. This may seem obvious but what that could mean for a person who is arrested for a drug charge is the difference between being charged as a drug dealer or as a drug user. [...]
I've seen this scenario... Client who has been charged with armed robbery (720 ILCS 5/18-2). He was there. He committed the robbery. You'd think he was dead to rights? He should plead guilty and the lawyer should focus his efforts on trying to get the lowest prison sentence possible for his client. Being [...]
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 [...]
Theft Penalties theft attorney I represent many clients who have been charged with theft. Whether this theft was a one-time act or whether the theft occurred over the course of time, the value of what was taken will determine the possible penalties for theft and sentences one may receive. Class A Misdemeanor Whether [...]
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 [...]