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"DAVID IS A PHENOMENAL LAWYER AND HIS CHARACTER SPEAKS WONDERS..."
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"IF YOU NEED AN ATTORNEY IN CHICAGO, I WOULD RECOMMEND HIM IN A HEARTBEAT..."
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Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer Protecting Drivers Across Cook County

Chicago is a city that never sleeps—its nightlife, restaurants, and sports events draw crowds late into the night. Unfortunately, increased traffic enforcement often turns an ordinary evening into a serious legal problem. When someone already has one prior DUI conviction, a second arrest under 625 ILCS 5/11-501 can trigger significantly harsher punishment and even felony exposure.

Illinois law classifies a first DUI as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail and a $2,500 fine. A second offense, however, demonstrates what the law views as a pattern of disregard for traffic safety. The penalties are heavier, the license consequences longer, and prosecutors often recommend jail time even if no one was injured.

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Why Every Chicago DUI Arrest Demands Immediate Legal Help

Getting stopped by the police in Chicago is nerve-racking enough, but when that stop turns into a DUI investigation, the situation becomes life-changing. Illinois has some of the toughest DUI laws in the country, and Chicago prosecutors rarely take it easy on defendants. Even a first-time DUI can carry consequences that reach far beyond the courtroom, affecting your license, job, insurance rates, and personal reputation.

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, a DUI is charged when someone operates or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A BAC of 0.08% or greater automatically creates a presumption of impairment. The same statute covers impairment by prescription medications, cannabis, or any controlled substance.

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Living in Chicago as an Immigrant and Facing DUI Charges

Chicago is not only the economic hub of Illinois but also one of the nation’s most important immigrant gateways. Neighborhoods such as Brighton Park, Humboldt Park, and Rogers Park reflect this vibrant mix, with families from Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa making their homes in the city. For many, building a stable life in Chicago depends on securing lawful immigration status. Unfortunately, a DUI charge under Illinois law can place everything at risk.

Illinois classifies DUI under 625 ILCS 5/11-501. A basic DUI without aggravating circumstances is a Class A misdemeanor, the most serious misdemeanor classification in the state. A conviction can bring up to 364 days in jail and fines of up to $2,500. When aggravating factors are present—such as prior DUI convictions, driving without a license or insurance, or causing injury or death—the offense becomes an “Aggravated DUI,” charged as a felony. Felonies in Illinois range from Class 4 to Class X, and penalties can include years in prison.

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Chicago’s Position on Social Security Number Fraud

Chicago has long been one of the busiest financial centers in the Midwest. With its banks, credit unions, tax preparers, and thousands of employers, it is no surprise that allegations of Social Security number misuse are aggressively investigated and prosecuted in this city. Prosecutors see these cases not as minor paperwork problems but as crimes that undermine public trust in financial institutions and government systems.

Illinois law is clear. Under 720 ILCS 5/16G-15, identity theft occurs when someone knowingly uses another person’s identifying information, such as a Social Security number, to commit fraud or obtain money, goods, services, or other benefits. The statute applies even if no financial loss occurs. That means someone accused of trying to use another’s Social Security number may face charges even if no money was stolen.

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Chicago is one of the busiest cities in the nation when it comes to financial transactions. From shopping on Michigan Avenue to ordering food online from Hyde Park, every swipe or click involves sensitive financial information. Unfortunately, when problems occur—such as the unauthorized use of a credit card—law enforcement and prosecutors in Illinois treat these incidents with extraordinary seriousness.

Under Illinois law, using, possessing, or attempting to use a stolen credit card is not considered a minor offense. Even a small fraudulent charge can lead to criminal prosecution. The Illinois Compiled Statutes, including 720 ILCS 5/16G (Identity Theft) and 720 ILCS 5/17-31 (Unlawful Use of a Credit Card), give prosecutors wide authority to pursue charges. In many cases, defendants are surprised to learn that they can face felony charges for conduct that might seem insignificant to them at the time.

What many Chicago residents do not realize is that credit card and identity theft cases often hinge on circumstantial or digital evidence. A single mistaken identification on surveillance video, or being in possession of a card that someone else handed you, can quickly escalate into a life-changing criminal case. Having a defense lawyer who understands both the city and the law is critical to protecting your future.

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Chicago has always been a city of commerce. From downtown office towers to local businesses in neighborhoods like Pilsen, Bronzeville, and West Loop, millions of transactions occur every day. With so much personal and financial data being exchanged, it is no surprise that Illinois has strict laws on identity theft. The Illinois Identity Theft Statute, 720 ILCS 5/16G, makes it a crime to knowingly transfer, possess, or use another individual’s identifying information without authorization and with intent to commit fraud.

Identifying information can include Social Security numbers, bank account details, driver’s license numbers, or credit card information. The statute applies whether the transfer occurs electronically, by paper, or even verbally. What makes this charge so serious is that prosecutors in Cook County rarely file it as a minor misdemeanor. Most cases are elevated to felony charges, exposing defendants to prison sentences and large restitution orders.

Illinois law recognizes multiple levels of identity theft. A person charged with simply possessing another’s personal information without intent to use it might face a lower-level offense. But when prosecutors believe that information was transferred to another person for fraudulent purposes, the charges increase in severity. Class 3 felony charges often apply, punishable by two to five years in state prison. If aggravating factors exist—such as financial loss above certain amounts or targeting elderly victims—the charge may escalate to a Class 2 or Class 1 felony with even longer sentences.

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Chicago is a city built on commerce, banking, and trade. From the Loop’s financial district to neighborhood banks and retail stores, the use of personal identity information is constant. With so much digital and physical data in circulation, Illinois has criminalized the unlawful possession of another person’s identity information under 720 ILCS 5/16G-15.

This law makes it a crime to knowingly possess another’s personal identifying information without permission when there is intent to commit fraud. Identifying information may include a Social Security number, bank account number, driver’s license, state ID, passport, or credit card information.

The seriousness of charges depends on the scope of the alleged possession and whether prosecutors can prove intent. If someone is found with a single document and no evidence of fraud, prosecutors may file misdemeanor charges. But when multiple documents are found, or if evidence shows fraud, felony charges almost always follow.

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Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own character and challenges. From Lakeview to Little Village, residents interact with law enforcement in countless ways every day. A common offense that often surprises people is being charged for giving false identity information to police. Illinois law under 720 ILCS 5/31-4.5, known as obstructing identification, makes it illegal for a person who has been lawfully detained to knowingly give false or fictitious information about their name, address, or date of birth to an officer.

This offense is not considered a minor oversight in Illinois. In fact, it is treated as a Class A misdemeanor, the highest level of misdemeanor in the state, carrying up to 364 days in the Cook County Jail and fines of up to $2,500. Certain circumstances can make the matter more serious. If the false identity causes another person to be charged with a crime or materially interferes with an investigation, the State may pursue felony charges.

Chicago prosecutors see this crime frequently, especially in cases linked to traffic stops, public intoxication, or street-level investigations. Because the city has such a dense population and active police presence, even a simple traffic violation in neighborhoods like Bronzeville or Albany Park can lead to an arrest for obstructing identification.

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Chicago is a city with deep roots in finance, commerce, and community life. From the business towers in the Loop to residential areas like Albany Park and Bronzeville, the city runs on trust between residents, financial institutions, and local services. When that trust is broken by accusations of identity theft—particularly when the alleged victim is someone with a disability—law enforcement takes an aggressive approach.

Under Illinois law, aggravated identity theft is not treated like ordinary financial misconduct. It is considered an attack on the integrity of vulnerable residents, and the charge carries felony penalties. The statute at the heart of these cases is 720 ILCS 5/16-30, which outlines the offense of identity theft, and subsection (b) which covers aggravated identity theft. When prosecutors believe the victim is disabled, the charge escalates automatically, making it a Class 2 felony at minimum.

Unlike some lower-level crimes in Illinois that may be treated as misdemeanors, aggravated identity theft is never a misdemeanor. It is always a felony, and often one that draws heavy scrutiny from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s financial crimes division. Even first-time offenders can face years in prison, alongside steep financial penalties.

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Federal aggravated identity theft is not just another fraud charge—it is one of the harshest federal crimes prosecuted in Chicago. Under 18 U.S.C. § 1028A, defendants convicted of aggravated identity theft face mandatory prison time. Judges cannot reduce or suspend these penalties, which means the stakes are higher than in almost any other federal fraud case.

While Illinois state law under 720 ILCS 5/16-30 punishes identity theft, outcomes can sometimes include probation or conditional discharge. In federal court, however, there is no room for leniency once guilt is established. This sharp difference makes federal aggravated identity theft an especially intimidating charge for defendants in Cook County, DuPage County, Will County, and Lake County.

In Chicago, these cases are prosecuted at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, where seasoned prosecutors handle white-collar and fraud-related charges daily. Defendants who walk into court without an experienced federal defense lawyer are at an enormous disadvantage.

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Contact Information
Chicago Office
70 W Madison St
#1450
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 560-7100
DuPage Office
140 Butterfield Rd
#1500
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Skokie Office
5250 Old Orchard Rd
#300
Skokie, IL 60077

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