A group of Chicago defense attorneys are currently seeking to prove that racial bias was at the root of a long series of Chicago drug stings. The ruling could have implications at the national level.Beginning in the 1990s, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms...
Chicago Criminal Law Blog
White collar vs. corporate crime
The term “white collar crime” has sprung up in recent years and now pervades our media. Many of us have an abstract understanding of what white collar crimes entail. We may have vague notions of rich Wall Street investors sitting in their lofty high-rise...
The problem with eyewitness testimony
DNA testing has played a huge role in how cases are tried and how defendants are convicted. Since this forensic analysis has been introduced into the trial process, it has shed light on a huge problem in our criminal justice system: the inaccuracy of eyewitness...
Treatment of defendants: the layered racial disparities
According to a recent study on demographic prison data from 2016, the U.S. Sentencing Commission discovered that black men receive 20 percent more prison time than white men for the same crime—even when the data is analyzed in terms of the offenders’...
Could a ‘tweet’ deprive a defendant of a fair trial?
Much has been said this year about President Trump's propensity to speak his mind, particularly through Twitter. His tweets have been fodder for controversy on things he likes (i.e. support for certain political candidates, his political relationship with China) as...
Why some defendants plead guilty when they may not have to
Much is said about the problems with our criminal justice system, especially its effect upon people of color and the poor. Those who cannot afford to post bail and go free until their next hearing date (or trial) are at a significant disadvantage when it comes to...
Why you should have an attorney after a DUI arrest
As we write this post, we hope our readers have enjoyed the “Halloween” season of costume themed parties and events. We also hope that our posts have been compelling, unique and genuinely informative.The unfortunate reality is that some people will stumble...
Is an odor enough to arrest you for DUI?
If you have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in Cook County, DuPage County or elsewhere in the Chicago metro area, chances are that the police report accompanying the charges indicates that the arresting officer smelled an...
More women being charged with drunk driving
Our prior post focused on warnings for those planning on celebrating Halloween by going to a party. Indeed, increased patrols are expected for the entire weekend given that Halloween falls on a Tuesday. While some may believe that they may evade patrols because of...
Be careful about alcohol at Halloween parties
Halloween is still weeks away, but it is expected that anti drunk driving campaigns will be as popular as commercials touting costumes. Even though Halloween falls on a Tuesday this year, parties will likely take place the weekend before. Indeed, law enforcement...


