Criminal Law Resources

One of the worst parts of a criminal conviction or, for that matter, an arrest in Illinois is not necessarily the sentence – which may include fines, incarceration, probation, or other forms of punishment – but the collateral consequences. Collateral consequences include the social and financial harm associated with an arrest or criminal record. Because…

A theft crime can be committed in many different ways. Likewise, the penalties for a conviction on a theft crime will vary. The more serious the theft and the higher the value of the item taken, the more likely the penalties will be harsher. When charged with a theft crime, many people want to take…

Types of Property Crimes Property crimes in DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, and Will County involve unlawful theft, damage, destruction, or interference with a person’s property. There is no violence used or threatened. The term “property crimes” encompasses a range of offenses ranging from the more minor, such as trespassing, to serious crimes such as arson….

Drug crimes are serious criminal offenses in Illinois. Depending on the offense, charges can be filed as misdemeanors or felonies. Prosecutors throw the book at alleged drug crime offenders and try to get the worst possible sentence if convicted. Oftentimes, your best option is to fight the charge. Other times, a plea deal may be…

For someone charged with a crime in Illinois, it matters what that crime is as well as its classification. The consequences of a conviction will vary depending on the classification of the crime. A strong, strategic defense is the best means to avoid a conviction or, alternatively, accept a plea deal in the defendant’s favor….

A misdemeanor charge in Illinois is a serious matter that can have just as serious consequences if a conviction follows. It can upend your life, so fighting the charge is often your best option. Of course, many factors should be considered if, when, and how a misdemeanor is fought. At Liberty Law, our criminal defense…

Bail in Illinois is meant to act as an assurance that a suspect of a crime will not flee if released from custody. The Eighth Amendment prohibits bail that is excessive, but excessive is not the same as unaffordable. Typically, the bail amount is high (where it is often unaffordable), so the defendant is tied…

When a person is arrested in Illinois, they have a right to know what the charges are against them. They also have a right to plead guilty or not guilty. This all happens at an arraignment. It can be a particularly nerve-wrecking time for anyone, even those who have been charged with criminal activity previously….

Being arrested in Illinois is a terrifying thing, whether it is for a minor shoplifting incident or for murder. Most times, you are arrested on the spot, where the crime allegedly happened. Sometimes, the arrest comes after the crime has occurred. Other times, you know a criminal investigation is active, like in most white-collar criminal…