People v. BC
Client was a passenger in a vehicle. The police claim an unknown person approached the vehicle and engaged in what they believed to be a hand to hand narcotics transaction. One of the other passengers of the vehicle allegedly made a statement that our Client set up the drug deal and pointed out where the drugs were located in the vehicle. Although the case went beyond the Preliminary Hearing Stages, the prosecution was eventually forced to dismiss all the charges.
People v. KH
Our Client was charged with Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance. The Police pulled our Client's vehicle over for failing to use his turning signal. As the Police approached the window of the car, they claimed to have smelled a strong odor of cannabis emitting from the vehicle. Under questioning, our Client allegedly admits to having cannabis inside of a backpack in the vehicle. A search of the backpack revealed cannabis plus additional narcotics. All charges were dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing.
People v. AP
Our Client was charged with Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance. The Police allegedly stopped our Client because he was in a vehicle with a busted headlight that was sitting in bus stop. While approaching, the Police claim to have seen our Client make some movements towards the back seat. The Police were suspicious that our Client was trying to hide something so they ordered him out of the vehicle and searched the car. Upon searching the car, the Police testified that they saw narcotics in plain view on the rear floor mat. All Felony Charges were Dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing.
People v. GA
Our Client was charged with Felony Aggravated DUI. Police were dispatched to a Battery in Progress. When they arrived on the scene, they claimed they saw our Client driving a vehicle without wearing a seatbelt. They claim to have pulled our Client over and he immediately exited the vehicle. They said they smelled a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from our Client's breath, that our Client could not stand on his own and that he had slurred speech. Our Client also supposedly made a confession that he had 10 beers to drink prior to the arrival of the Police. All charges were dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing.
People v. WM
Our Client was charged with Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance. The Police claimed to have information that the vehicle our Client was driving had been involved in narcotics sales. Our Client allegedly failed to make a complete stop at a stop sign prior to parking the vehicle. As the Police approached, they stated that our Client was making "furtive" movements towards his waistband area. Our Client was ordered out of the vehicle and a protective pat down was performed. The officers recovered multiple baggies of narcotics. All charges were dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing.
People v. KS
Our Client was charged with Felony Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number. He was facing up to 5 years in prison. Officers alleged that our Client got out of the passenger side of a car that had tinted windows was missing a front license plate. The Police approached for a field interview and performed a protective patdown of our Client for Officer safety. During the patdown, the Officer claimed he immediately felt a gun and knew it to be a gun based on his prior police experience. They also claimed that our Client admitted to finding the gun in a bush. During Preliminary Hearing, we argued that the State did not prove that our Client knew the serial numbers were scratched off and, therefore, the charges should be dismissed. The Judge agreed. All the charges were dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing.
People v. KD - Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance
Our Client was charged with Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance. It was alleged that Police heard our Client yelling "X," "X" while standing on a street corner. Believing that our Client was engaged in narcotics sales, the Police arrested our Client for Soliciting Unlawful Business. A subsequent search revealed that our Client was in possession of pills that later tested positive for Meth. Although the case went beyond the Preliminary Hearing Stages, we were able to negotiate a deal with the Judge for special expungeable probation. Another Felony Conviction Avoided!!!
People v. OC - Felony Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number
Our Client was charged with Felony Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number. The Police chased our Client and another individual into a residence. While fleeing, our Client allegedly dropped a gun which was recovered by pursuing officers. Once recovered, the officers noticed that the serial number on the gun had been scratched off. The prosecution was offering 5 years in prison. We had a conference with the Judge and were able to negotiate probation for our Client.
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. CJ
Our Client was charged with Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance. Police officers alleged that our Client ran a red light. After stopping our Client's vehicle, our Client was unable to produce a valid driver's license. Our Client was asked out of the vehicle and officers alleged that they saw narcotics in plain view on the floor of the vehicle. A further search of our Client revealed additional narcotics. All charges were dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing!
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