Chicago criminal attorney

October 31, 2018

Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Attorney

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Facing a criminal charge in Chicago is never an easy task, even if you have gone through the experience in the past. Each instance is different, especially if the charges or crimes are different. There is quite a bit you might not be prepared for when it comes to dealing with a criminal charge, which is why we have compiled this list of important questions to ask your criminal defense attorney after a criminal charge has been filed against you.

What Actions Should I Take?

Even though you were the person charged with the crime, you can still help the attorney move forward with your case. It is important to ask your attorney this question because he or she might have a list of things for you to accomplish or provide them as part of the defense strategy. For example, you might need to provide the attorney with documents that could help your alibi or other parts of the case. Do you need to enroll in a drug or alcohol abuse class? Find out as soon as possible what you need to do to aid the attorney working your case.

October 17, 2018

Five Reasons to Call a Lawyer Immediately After a Criminal Charge

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Facing criminal charges is a daunting task. It becomes even more daunting when you do not have an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side from the very beginning of your case. An attorney brings a lot to the table when representing a client facing criminal charges. That is why you need the most experienced attorney on your side. In today’s post we will discuss the five reasons to call a lawyer immediately after a criminal charge.

Speak to Law Enforcement on Your Behalf

One of the most important reasons why you should always call a lawyer immediately after being charged with a crime is so the lawyer can speak to the police on your behalf. The police might want to speak with you prior to placing you under arrest. This can be done on the phone, at your home, or at the supposed scene of the crime. You do not legally have to say anything to the police, even if they have not read you your Miranda Rights. This is where an attorney can be extremely helpful. They can answer the questions posed by the police on your behalf.

October 12, 2018

How to Build a Strong Defense to Criminal Charges

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Facing criminal charges in Chicago is frightening. You likely are not sure where the case will go and if you will ever see your freedom again. Not every criminal case is open and shut. There might not be enough evidence to secure a conviction on the part of the prosecution. Maybe the expert witness testimony is not convincing enough for the jury. Or, maybe your testimony helps convince the judge or jury that you were not as involved in the commission of the crime as the charges suggest. No matter what, you need to build a strong defense to criminal charges.

Understand Your Rights

One of the most important steps to take in building a strong defense to criminal charges is understanding your rights. Everyone should know that they are protected by the Fifth Amendment in that they do not have to incriminate themselves when speaking to police officers or other investigators in regards to a crime. You are to be read your Miranda Rights by the arresting officer so that you know what you say can be used against you in court. With this in the back of your head, you should refrain from saying much when in custody.

June 7, 2018

The Law on Vigilante Justice in Chicago

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Chicago is notorious for its growing crime rate. This has resulted in strict Illinois laws to curb violent crime enacted in the recent past. While the crime rate does not show any signs of abating, it has led to a surge in vigilantes in the region. Vigilante justice is the action taken by a single person or a group outside of the police department to enforce law and order. While vigilantes like Superman and Batman are welcomed on screen, they are not so welcomed in real life.

Vigilante Justice for Protecting Neighborhoods

In a city known for its rampant crime, having vigilantes makes sense, but this is acceptable only when the vigilantes limit themselves. Resorting to violent retaliatory crime is a surefire way to be punished.

May 25, 2018

The Right to a Fair Trial in Chicago

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

A fair trial is one in which the jury or judge imparts judgement without any partiality towards anyone. The various rights linked with a fair trial are explained in Article 10 of the Declaration of Human Rights, in the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Any government’s key role is to maintain law and order in society. It is their duty to give fair punishments to a criminal while delivering justice. All of this comes with a great responsibility since convicting someone of an unlawful act is a serious step that will impact the rest of that person’s life.

Thus, the right to a fair trial ensures that people can feel protected and safe. They can know that the law is certain and fair for everyone in the nation. This also means that the government cannot abuse its power and thus can separate the guilty and the innocent.

May 2, 2018

Forced Confessions in Chicago

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

For years, the practice of forced confessions was used to offer some sort of relief to cases that appeared to be complex in nature. The justice systems in quite a significant number of states conspired with law enforcement to convict suspects who were deemed defenseless or who did not invoke their rights. With the advancement of human rights legislation and conventional justice systems, the practice of forced confessions is gradually being brought under regulation.

All things taken into consideration, forced confessions in many justice systems assume a common practice where the victim is either tortured or forced to give false confession under some form of pressure. A recent report from the Chicago Sun Times illustrates why coerced confessions can be costly not only on the victims but also detrimental to the legal system.

The illegal detention of Gabriel Solache and Arturo DeLeon-Reyes for almost two decades in prison without sound evidence from the prosecutor, for example, demonstrates how the justice system can impact innocent victims. More importantly, lessons from this case have also exposed loopholes in the legal system.

April 13, 2018

The Increase in Social Media Abuse and Torture Cases in Chicago

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Social media serves the useful purpose of encouraging individuality and creativity in users. Although a majority of the content on social media is harmless, it can turn lethal when it turns abusive. Crimes on social media are on the rise. This includes abuse of a specific group of people or a specific person.

Posting videos of torture and other crimes is another instance of social media abuse. The recent Chicago crime of a woman, Brittany Covington, and her accomplices who abused a mentally disabled man with racial insults and torture is one such instance.

Overstepping Social Boundaries

March 14, 2018

When Does a Burglary Become a Serious Felony in Chicago?

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Burglary denotes illegal entry into a building with the intention of stealing property or money. In reality, burglary covers several possible circumstances. The recent burglary attempt in Naperville is one such instance. An 18-year-old and three other teens were involved. Charges of burglary can result in serious charges, depending on the situation.

Burglary as a Criminal Offense

Illinois law has listed several situations that constitute burglary. For instance, illegal entry can signify gaining entry under false pretenses. Normally, Class 2 felony is the sentence given for burglary. This can lead to a prison term of three to seven years, depending on the case.

February 16, 2018

Crackdown on Marijuana Business in Chicago

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Like every other state, Illinois is debating whether or not to make recreational marijuana legal, even after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions made it a priority for federal prosecutors to enforce drug laws. According to Sessions, marijuana is causing serious health issues to citizens and anyone found in possession of it should be convicted.

However, Illinois leaders do not agree with Sessions. State Representative Kelly M. Cassidy and state Senator Heather Stean have plans to come up with revised statute in the legislature’s new session to permit recreational marijuana. They have been carrying out town halls and meeting with constituents and key stakeholders to come up with a bill.

The first approach of making recreational marijuana legal in Illinois might take place in March 2018 in Cook County. In the same month, an advisory referendum will ask voters whether adult use of cannabis should be lawful. It will be placed in the primary ballot. It is crucial to note that there is still a lengthy process. The vote is part of the strategy by state-wide legalization, hence not binding or affecting the current law.

January 10, 2018

Five Things to Ask an Attorney During a Consultation

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

When the need for a criminal lawyer arises, time is of the essence. Before you go ahead and hire just any criminal defense attorney, there are specific and important questions that one should ask. Here are some things to consider when consulting with an attorney.

Discovery, Evidence, and Investigation

It is the responsibility of your lawyer to obtain and review all the items in discovery. That includes reports from the police, statements of the witnesses, audio and video tapes, photographs, and any other material that might have been provided by the prosecutor through discovery. Your attorney should also make copies of all material. The attorney should not only consider having you aware of the evidence that is there but also any other evidence that is probably missing. Who are the witnesses that should be interviewed, and what are they likely to say in court? What type of defense investigation is likely to be conducted in order to find the evidence that can disprove your guilt?