Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

Winning in Court Doesn’t Always End Immigration Trouble I’ve represented many people in Chicago criminal courts who believed that beating their criminal charges meant their immigration status was safe. Unfortunately, that’s not how the system works. Even when a case ends with a dismissal or a not-guilty verdict, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may still pursue removal based…

Arrests, Immigration Holds, and Illinois Criminal Law Every week in Chicago’s criminal courts, I meet individuals who are unsure why they’re still in custody after posting bail or winning their case. When I investigate, the answer is often the same—an ICE detainer. Many assume this means there’s a warrant. In reality, the two are entirely different…

Understanding the Charges in Illinois In Chicago, Social Security number identity theft is prosecuted with a seriousness on par with violent crimes. The reason is simple: these numbers are used to secure employment, file taxes, open financial accounts, and obtain government benefits. When someone is accused of misusing another person’s number, prosecutors and judges view…

Chicago Defense Lawyer for Stolen Credit Card and Identity Theft Charges Chicago’s Financial Crimes and the Courts of Cook County Chicago is a city where money moves constantly—on the trading floors downtown, at restaurants in River North, and at small shops in neighborhoods from Bridgeport to Rogers Park. This steady movement of funds also means…

Real-World Impact of Identity Theft Charges in Chicago Chicago is a city of opportunity, but also one where allegations of financial crimes are pursued aggressively. When someone is accused of transferring another’s identity information, the legal consequences are only part of the story. The ripple effects of such charges spread into nearly every part of…

The Seriousness of Identity Information Possession in Chicago Chicago is home to millions of residents, with bustling areas such as Wicker Park, Englewood, and the Loop. The constant flow of financial transactions, government services, and personal exchanges makes identity information especially valuable. That is why Illinois prosecutors take charges of possessing another’s identity information so…

Chicago is home to nearly three million people, and with that population comes a wide range of daily interactions with law enforcement. From bustling areas like the Magnificent Mile to quieter neighborhoods like Beverly, the Chicago Police Department handles stops, calls, and investigations around the clock. One offense that consistently appears in Cook County courts…

How Chicago Views Financial Crimes Against Disabled Residents Chicago has long been a hub for finance, health care, and social services. In neighborhoods like Uptown, Englewood, and Humboldt Park, residents rely on banks, medical providers, and caregivers to manage their daily lives. When allegations arise that someone has taken advantage of a disabled person by…

Chicago’s Federal Identity Theft Prosecutions Chicago is a hub for finance, commerce, and government. Because of its size and economic activity, federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Illinois aggressively pursue white-collar crimes, particularly federal aggravated identity theft. Under 18 U.S.C. § 1028A, this crime carries a mandatory two-year federal prison sentence, consecutive to any other sentence imposed.…

Understanding the Seriousness of Federal Human Trafficking Charges in Chicago Chicago is one of the busiest metropolitan areas in the United States, with its airports, transportation networks, and international business presence. This makes it a central hub for federal law enforcement activity, especially in cases involving alleged human trafficking. While Illinois has its own criminal…