U.S.S.G. Section 3C1.1 Obstruction of Justice – 7th Circuit Brief Filed
PRESS RELEASE (Chicago). On December 9, 2015 Chicago Federal Defense Attorney Michael J. Petro filed a brief in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of his client Charles Thomas. US v. Charles Thomas, 15-1142. In sum, Mr. Thomas states that the district court erred in applying the United States Sentencing Guidelines...
Chicago Police Officer’s Firing Leads to NOT GUILTY
PRESS RELEASE (Chicago). On December 4, 2015, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney Michael J. Petro won a trial in a Bridgeview court room. Before trial, the Cook County State’s Attorneys’ Office was forced to admit that a key Chicago Police Officer witness was fired because the officer was convicted of a crime! Despite this...
Illegal Traffic Stop by CPD Leads to Dismissal of Charges
PRESS RELEASE (Chicago). On December 15, 2015, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney Michael J. Petro won a Fourth Amendment Motion to Suppress Evidence in a Chicago courtroom. At the hearing, Mr. Petro proved that the Chicago Police illegally stopped and search his clients vehicle. At the hearing, a passenger in the vehicle testified that there was no reason...
Michael J. Petro Argues in Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
PRESS RELEASE (Chicago) – On November 18, 2015, Chicago Federal Criminal Defense Attorney Michael J. Petro will argue in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. US v. Acasio Sanchez, 15-1356. In his brief, Mr. Petro argues that the district court improperly sentenced Mr. Sanchez by applying the “stash house” enhancement in the United States Sentencing Guidelines. ...
Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney Michael J. Petro Successfully Suppresses Evidence
On November 21, 2015, Chicago criminal defense attorney Michael J. Petro successfully suppressed the admission of a gun in a Chicago courtroom. Mr. Petro presented one witness and cross examined a ten year veteran Chicago Police Officer. Mr. Petro expects this will lead to the dismissal of all eight criminal charges by the...
Government Breach of Plea Agreement Leads to REVERSAL
Defendant-Appellant Salvador Guadalupe Navarro (“Navarro”) pleaded guilty to and was convicted of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. In the plea agreement, the government and Navarro both agreed to refrain from...
Michael J. Petro argues in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on November 17, 2015
PRESS RELEASE (Chicago) – On November 18, 2015, Chicago Federal Criminal Defense Attorney Michael J. Petro will argue in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. US v. Acasio Sanchez, 15-1356. In his brief, Mr. Petro argues that the district court improperly sentenced Mr. Sanchez by applying the “stash house” enhancement in the United States Sentencing Guidelines. ...
Search Warrants and the Leon Good Faith Exception: Boilerplate Rules
Ted Pappas was indicted for possession of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B). Pappas pleaded not guilty and filed a motion to suppress evidence seized during a search of his home, as well as statements he made during the execution...
FRE 902(11). Boilerplate Rules for Admission of Certified Business Records
The government charged defendant James Green with four counts of wire fraud. His cousin, co-defendant Joseph Green, recruited Green to purchase properties in exchange for cash. Throughout the trial, Green argued that he was a victim of the fraudulent scheme, left holding the...
How to make the Federal Speedy Trial Clock Start Ticking
In this case, due to a federal detainer the defendant was indicted on a felony charge of being in possession of both firearms and illegal possession of a submachine gun following receiving time served on state charges. United States v. Richardson, 780 F.3d...