No matter the circumstances, it can prove to be a truly unsettling experience for a person to be pulled over for reasons entirely unknown to them or to have law enforcement officials suddenly materialize at their front door with a warrant.Indeed, the fear that...
Criminal Defense
A closer look at the president’s power to grant clemency
With his second term in the Oval Office just over two months from ending, many in the legal community have had questions about whether President Obama would continue his heretofore remarkable efforts under his administration's clemency initiative, giving those...
What does it really mean to be accused of money laundering? – III
Over the last few weeks, our blog has been taking a closer look at money laundering, including the elements that must be proven by federal prosecutors in order to secure a conviction and an examination of what type of conduct falls within the ambit of this criminal...
What does it really mean to be accused of money laundering? – II
In the previous post, our blog began taking a closer look at money laundering, a criminal offense that despite being a fixture in popular crime dramas may not be entirely clear to the typical viewer. We'll continue these efforts in...
What does it really mean to be accused of money laundering?
There are certain criminal offenses that undoubtedly seem mystifying to the average person despite their prevalence in television, film and literature. Indeed, when critically acclaimed crime dramas use terms like RICO, embezzlement or money laundering, the typical...
Understanding how Illinois views bribery-related offenses
From Abraham Lincoln to Barack Obama, Illinois has long and proud political history. As rich as our state's political past is, however, it would perhaps be remiss to overlook the fact that it has had a few darker chapters, including two recent governors convicted on...
What do you know about embezzlement? – II
Last time, our blog discussed how the area of white collar crime is by no means the exclusive domain of the federal government, as law enforcement officials here in Illinois routinely handle the investigation and prosecution of all types of financial crimes.By way of...
How much do you really know about embezzlement?
When you hear certain terms like wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering and, of course, embezzlement, there is a natural inclination to associate these crimes with agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the...
Should colleges change their approach to criminal records?
At this time of the year, high school seniors across the state of Illinois and around the nation are busy preparing for their final exams and, more significantly, their walk across the stage to accept their diplomas. For the majority of these young people, the next...
Report: expunging juvenile records in Illinois expensive, rare
Is it right that a youthful mistake should haunt you the rest of your life? In Illinois, having a juvenile criminal record can prevent you from getting into college, finding a job or even putting a roof over your head -- even if the conviction on your record is years,...


