Medicare Fraud and Abuse Cases
In recent years, Medicare fraud and abuse cases have been on the rise in the United States. Nowhere is the problem more visible than in Chicago, where an increase in the number of cases has prompted officials to...
Federal Crime Sentencing Guidelines
The Federal Sentencing Guidelines are nonbinding instructions for punishing criminal defendants in a uniform manner.
Although the 2017 sentencing guidelines are not compulsory, judges must consider them as they assess appropriate sentences for defendants convicted in the federal court system. When judges deviate from the guidelines, they are required...
Plea Negotiations and Agreements in Federal Court
Many criminal cases frequently end in plea agreements before a trial ever begins. If you are facing federal charges, Michael Petro can work with you and the prosecutors to negotiate a plea agreement.
At the federal level, rules for sentencing are very complicated. Many federal offenses have mandatory sentencing requirements. Prosecutors are working...
New Chicago Unit Investigating Healthcare Fraud Violations
A new federal investigative unit will prosecute defendants for a variety of crimes related to health care fraud in Illinois.
The Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois recently announced that the new unit will pursue many different types of alleged...
Preliminary Hearing in Federal Court
For defendants facing federal charges, it is important to understand what to expect in a preliminary hearing.
After your attorney has entered a not-guilty plea, the preliminary hearing typically occurs. In the preliminary hearings, the prosecutor will attempt to demonstrate the existence...
Female Genital Mutilation Charges
A grand jury investigation into female genital mutilation has expanded to three more states — including Illinois — as federal agents identify additional Doctor suspects. The new targets of the investigation reportedly live in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.
Female genital mutilation is defined as the intentional injury or...
Map of Chicago Homicides 2006 – 2016
Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney Michael J. Petro provides a useful map for analyzing murders in Chicago neighborhoods in 2016. In the chart below, Mike analyzes how Chicago neighborhood gun crime correlates with murders committed in the City of Chicago.
Summer is a bittersweet time for Chicago. The city celebrates...
Received a Subpoena to Testify: What Should You Do?
If you’re ever find yourself in trouble with the police or FBI, you may receive a subpoena for business records or to testify. Typically, a Judge or Magistrate issues a subpoena after a request by a prosecutor. After the subpoena has been issued, it can be served in person or, in some cases, via email...
Business Records Subpoena: What You Should Do?
You need a Grand Jury Subpoena Attorney Michael J. Petro immediately to help you through this difficult process. If you own your own business, you may receive a subpoena for business records at any time. You...
Illinois Grand Jury Subpeona
Grand juries review evidence in criminal investigations and decide if probable cause exists to hand down indictments and proceed to trial. If you receive a grand jury subpoena, it means that a prosecutor wants you to appear as a witness before a grand jury.