Criminal Defense Attorney in U.S. Federal & Florida and Illinois Courts

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 to explain the factors that went…

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 very hard non-stop…

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 of sufficient evidence to charge you. If you’ve been charged with a crime…

Business Records Subpoena: What You Should Do?

Grand Jury Subpoena Attorney 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 need a Grand Jury Subpoena Attorney Michael J. Petro immediately to help you through this…

“Snitches Are a Dying Breed” And Other Aspects of “Outlaw” Criminal Forfeiture

US v. Joshua N. Bowser.  Appeal of:  Bradley W. Carlson.  No. 15-2258.       This appeal involves the government’s efforts to seize personal property bearing the insignia of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club (the “Outlaws”), and the effort of a representative of the Outlaws to intervene to prevent those forfeitures. The forfeiture actions stemmed from criminal cases brought against…

28 U.S.C. § 455 – Judge’s Failure to Recuse Himself Leads to REVERSAL

US v. Jose Herrera-Valdez, No. 14-3534 Jose Gustavo Herrera-Valdez was prosecuted for illegal reentry after being deported. Before trial, he filed a motion to disqualify the District Court Judge from presiding over his prosecution because the judge served as the District Counsel for the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) at the time Herrera-Valdez was deported.  Because we…