Posted on July 16, 2025 in Criminal Defense

A murder charge is as serious as a criminal charge can get. It is more severe than the lesser charge of manslaughter. In terms of conviction, the difference between the two can mean the difference between years or even a lifetime in prison. If you or someone you love has been charged with murder or manslaughter, an experienced Naperville, IL homicide defense attorney can help explain the charges.

What Does Illinois Law Say About Murder?

The Illinois statute for homicide, under 720 ILCS 5/9, includes the definitions of first and second-degree murder. First-degree murder occurs when someone kills another person without lawful justification. The offender either intends to kill, wants to cause great bodily harm, or knows their actions create a strong probability of death or great bodily harm. The penalty for first-degree murder can include 20 years to life in prison. Certain aggravating factors may trigger a mandatory life sentence, such as:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 07, 2025 in Sex Offenses

As of July 2025, prostitution remains a crime in Illinois. Soliciting a prostitute, or offering money in exchange for sex, is also still a crime under Illinois law. However, there are currently significant efforts in the works to decriminalize prostitution, and some changes have already been made. If you are facing charges related to prostitution, a Naperville, IL prostitution defense lawyer can help you understand the laws in place and the potential changes on the horizon.

Attempts to Decriminalize Consensual Sex Work in Illinois

Currently, Sections 11-14 of the Illinois Criminal Code govern prostitution. The law states that a person commits prostitution when they knowingly perform, offer, or agree to perform sexual penetration or the touching of sex organs in exchange for anything of value. The first offense is a Class A misdemeanor, but second and subsequent offenses elevate the charge to a felony.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 30, 2025 in Criminal Defense

If you recently blew above the legal limit during a DUI stop, you are likely concerned about how it will impact your case. Most people assume breathalyzer machines are correct, but in reality, these devices are highly sensitive. Their readings can be affected by everything from calibration errors to medical conditions. If you are facing charges based on a questionable blood alcohol concentration (BAC) result, a Naperville DUI defense lawyer can help you understand your legal options and how to challenge the evidence effectively.

Understanding the Laws that Govern DUI Cases in Illinois

DUI cases in Illinois are primarily governed by 625 ILCS 5/11-501. Under this statute, it is illegal to drive a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 percent or more, and breathalyzer tests are standard procedure after DUI arrests.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 23, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Even first-time offenders can face severe penalties for reckless driving in Illinois. If you have been accused, you will need to understand how Illinois law governs these cases and what you can do to challenge the charges against you. A Naperville, IL reckless driving defense lawyer can help you evaluate the facts of your case and build a strong defense to potentially reduce the charges or have them dismissed.

How Does Illinois Define Reckless Driving?

Illinois statute 625 ILCS 5/11-503 defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle "with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property." This is a broad definition that covers a high number of actions that go beyond common traffic mistakes. Prosecutors must show that the driver acted in a dangerous or highly irresponsible way deliberately.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 17, 2025 in Drug Offenses

Illinois courts tend to crack down hard on drug crimes. However, if you have been charged with the possession of prescription drugs without the proper authorization, the prosecution still has to prove that you violated the law beyond a reasonable doubt. If you talk to a Naperville, IL prescription drug possession defense attorney about the details of your case, you can work together to build a defense and challenge the charges against you.

What Is a Prescription Drug Possession Charge in Illinois?

Illegal prescription drug possession occurs when someone has a controlled substance in their possession without a lawful prescription written by a licensed medical professional. Illinois law outlines what constitutes a controlled substance, but some drugs commonly related to illegal possession include oxycodone, fentanyl, and benzodiazepines, which are typically prescribed for anxiety disorders.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 09, 2025 in Criminal Defense

A Bismarck, IL man was recently sentenced to five-and-a-half years in federal prison for manufacturing, selling, and possessing counterfeited U.S. currency. The man sold counterfeit U.S. money to an Illinois State Police undercover officer for $1,000, then later sold the same officer another $1,000 and $5,000 in counterfeit dollars.

A search warrant was executed for the man’s residence, where printers, a paper cutter, and other supplies used to make counterfeit money were seized. The man was on federal supervised release for a prior counterfeiting conviction from 2022 after serving 27 months in federal prison for that offense.

The maximum statutory penalty for counterfeiting and forgery is up to 20 years in prison, with a maximum fine of $25,000. If you are facing federal counterfeiting charges, it is crucial that you have a Naperville, IL white-collar crimes attorney who is experienced in defending federal crimes. 

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 31, 2025 in Sex Offenses

Public indecency charges can sometimes come out of nowhere. Many people who are accused of public indecency did not know that their actions could result in criminal charges and are not even aware of what constitutes public indecency when they are charged. Others have been down this road before and could be looking at felony charges that may result in registering as a sex offender if convicted.

If you are facing an upcoming legal battle for an inappropriate sexual act in public, you need an experienced and aggressive Naperville, IL public indecency defense attorney to help you understand the allegations against you and what you can do to challenge them.

What is Public Indecency in Illinois?

Illinois statute 720 ILCS 5/11-30 defines the crime of public indecency as the act of sexual conduct or penetration in a public place or committing lewd exposure of the body with the intention to arouse someone, including yourself, or to satisfy a sexual desire in a public place. Essentially, the law prohibits you from doing anything sexually inappropriate or explicit in a place where you should have no reasonable expectation of privacy, and it applies to anyone age 17 or older.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 22, 2025 in DUI

Aggravated DUI alone is a serious offense, but when you factor in an accident that resulted in someone’s death, it is among the most serious offenses under Illinois criminal law. If you are facing a charge for aggravated DUI resulting in death, the legal consequences can be devastating for you and your family. Before you face a judge, you need a knowledgeable Illinois aggravated DUI defense attorney to help you understand the laws that govern these cases and to build a robust defense to fight the allegations.

What Does Illinois Law Say About Aggravated DUI With Death?

Statute 625 ILCS 5/11-501 under Illinois law addresses DUI offenses. In general, it defines a DUI as the act of operating a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs, alcohol, or both. The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration is set at 0.08 percent, but it is stricter if you are a truck driver or under the age of 21. Most DUIs are misdemeanors, but an aggravated DUI resulting in death can be a Class 2 or Class 1 felony, depending on the circumstances, and the potential penalties for either are severe.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 19, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Facing a theft charge can be intimidating. The penalties are often harsh, especially if you have a previous conviction, and the laws that govern these cases are complex. Working with an experienced Naperville, IL property crimes defense attorney is invaluable to your case, and building a defense strategy for a theft charge requires a thorough understanding of Illinois criminal law.

How Illinois Law Defines Theft

Under the Illinois Criminal Code of 2012, a person commits theft when they knowingly do one of the following:

• Exerts control over someone else’s property without authorization from the property owner

• Obtains control over another person’s property by deception or threat

  Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 12, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Extortion and related charges can be tried in state or federal courts, depending on the circumstances surrounding the alleged crime. If you have been charged with extortion, understanding the charge against you is the first step in challenging it. If convicted, you could face serious penalties, including a felony conviction on your criminal record. With the help of an experienced Naperville, IL extortion defense attorney, you can build a defense to challenge the charge.

Does Illinois Have Extortion Laws?

Illinois law addresses the crime of intimidation, often referred to as extortion in other states. Intimidation occurs when someone intentionally threatens another person in an attempt to get them to do something or refrain from doing something. You could face an intimidation charge if you do any of the following:

Continue Reading ››