People v. JG
Our Client was charged with Felony Driving on a Revoked or a Suspended License. Officers claimed that they witnessed our Client driving a vehicle at night without the headlights on. As a result, they pulled our Client over. Our Client was not able to produce a driver's license or insurance. The Officers ran our Client's name through the computer system and learned that our Client's license had been revoked for a prior DUI and that he had 3 prior convictions for driving on a suspended license. All charges were dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing.
People v. EM
Our Client was charged with Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance. Officers alleged that they stopped our Client for driving the wrong way down a one-way street. The testifying officer claimed to have seen our Client reach into his pocket and stuff a golf ball size bag of narcotics into his mouth and begin to chew and swallow it. The testifying officer stated that he grabbed our Client at which point the bag exploded and several small bags flew out of our Client's mouth into the passenger compartment of the car. The problem with the officer's testimony was that he said he saw our Client pull this golf ball sized item out of his pocket while our Client was seated in the driver's seat of a Hummer and the Officer, who admitted to being only 5'3" stood outside. At 5'3", there is no way for the officer to make the observation he claimed to have made because of the size of the vehicle. All charged were dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing.
People v. MW
Our Client was charged with Felony Unlawful use of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon. He was facing a mandatory prison sentence of 3-7 years if convicted. Police were called to the scene of a drunk armed security guard at a local store. When they arrived, our Client was working armed security at the location. After speaking with our Client, it was determined that he did not have the credentials he needed to work armed security on his person and he was arrested. At the station, a background check showed that our Client had a prior felony DUI conviction. However, our investigation showed that our Client applied for an FOID card, and one was issued after a background check by the Illinois State Police. Our client successfully went thru a federal background check when purchasing his weapon. Our Client took the required classes and applied for his credentials to work armed security. Again the Illinois State Police issued the credentials. The prosecution took the position that the only reason our Client was able to obtain the proper credentials was because he lied on the paperwork by not disclosing his prior felony conviction. They initially offered the maximum of 7 years in prison. Our position from the beginning was that our Client did not understand that when he received probation for the Felony DUI, it was a felony conviction. Our Client incorrectly believed that probation was not a felony conviction. Our Client incorrectly believed that only people who were sentenced to prison were convicted felons and anyways, his conviction was only for a traffic DUI...how could he possibly be a convicted felon. We were successfully able to negotiate a recommended sentence of 2 years in prison on a reduced charge. However, our Client rejected that offer and we set the case for Jury Trial. The day of the trial the prosecution made an offer of probation to resolve the matter, and it was an offer that our Client couldn't refuse. We successfully avoided prison for our Client.
People v. RR
Client was charged with Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance. The case was dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing Stages.
People v. VS
Our Client was charged with Armed Habitual Criminal and Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon. The Police claimed that our Client was drinking on the public way with friends. Allegedly when they approached for a field interview our Client ran while holding his side. The Police officer testified that while our Client was running he removed a gun from his waistband and thew it over a fence. After capturing our Client, the Police returned to the spot where they found the gun and miraculously the snub nose revolver was sticking in the dirt. After examining the gun the Judge questioned whether or not is was physically possible for the gun to land and stick into the ground in the matter claimed because the heaviest part of the gun was the handle and the laws of physics would seem to indicate that the gun would have landed handle down. Our Client was found Not Guilty.
People v. JC
Client was charged with Manufacturing and Delivery of a Controlled Substance. The Police claimed that while they were on surveillance, they observed our Client engage in a brief conversation with a co-defendant. After that conversation, our Client and the other person allegedly relocated to an alley and exchange an unknown amount of money for unknown small objects. Believing that a narcotics transaction had just occurred, the Surveillance Officers notified Enforcement Officers to detain our Client. All charges were dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing.
People v. WM
Our Client was charged with Felony Manufacturing and Delivery of a Controlled Substance. Police claim to have witnessed our Client engage in a narcotics transaction with another individual. It was alleged that our Client was given money and in exchange, he gave narcotics to his co-defendant. After witnessing the alleged narcotics transactions, officers arrested our Client. After being arrested, the police seized over $1,200 from our Client when a drug dog alerted to the presence of narcotics on the money. All Charges were dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing.
People v. CC
Our Client was charged with Felony Theft. She was facing up to 5 years in prison. It was alleged that on 12 separate occasions, our Client removed cash from the register while working as a cashier for Walmart. The total amount allegedly stolen was $2,679. The thefts were all on video. We were able to successfully negotiate the Deferred Prosecution Program for our Client. As long as she completes the program, all Felony charges will be dismissed.
People v. DJ
Our Client was charged with Felony Possession of Cannabis. The Police claimed that they saw him sitting in a vehicle with his windows rolled down. They say they smelled a strong odor of cannabis as they approached the vehicle. They also claimed to have observed a joint on the center console in plain view. They asked our Client to exit the vehicle. The Police then searched the vehicle and recovered the joint as well as additional cannabis from the center console. All charges were dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing.
People v. FR
Our Client was charged with Felony Burglary. It was alleged that our Client was seen by a citizen breaking into a vehicle which was parked on the street and taking items out of that vehicle. The Police toured the area in search of the Offender. They eventually apprehended our Client who was positively identified by the same citizen from above. Our Client allegedly freely admitted to going into the vehicle and removing items. The items were recovered from our Client's backpack. Through vigorous negotiations we were able to convince the prosecution to reduce the charges to Theft. We negotiated special "2nd Chance Probation" for our Client which can be expunged from our Client's record if our Client successfully completes every aspect of the probation. Yet another felony conviction avoided!
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