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...
Writ of Coram Nobis – Boilerplate Rules You Need to Know
US v. Brian Wilkozek, No. 15-1537. In 2003 Brian Wilkozek pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud for his participation in a mortgage-fraud scheme. By the time the third-party lenders uncovered the scheme, all they could do was foreclose and sell the properties. They suffered losses of more than $700,000.
Writ of Coram Nobis – Boilerplate Rules You Need to Know
US v. Brian Wilkozek, No. 15-1537. In 2003 Brian Wilkozek pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud for his participation in a mortgage-fraud scheme. By the time the third-party lenders uncovered the scheme, all they could do was foreclose and sell the properties. They suffered losses of more than $700,000.
Expunging Your Federal Conviction – Rules You Need to Know
(Editor’s note: This is a District Court decision NOT 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.)
April 7, 2016
In 2007, Brian Pfeiffer pled guilty to possession with intent...
Search and Seizure Traffic Stop by Police: Officers Mistake Regarding Illinois Turn Signal Law Leads to Suppression of Evidence
LeShawn Stanbridge appeals his conviction for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). The drugs had been found in Stanbridge’s car after police in Quincy, Illinois, detained him on the ground that he committed a traffic offense by not signaling continuously for...
Eyewitness Identification – Watershed Decision Identifies Fallibility of Eyewitness Identifications
Editor’s Note – This is an Illinois Supreme Court Opinion.
The issue is whether, in light of the specific facts and circumstances of this case, the circuit court of Cook County abused its discretion...
Eyewitness Identification – Watershed Decision Identifies Fallibility of Eyewitness Identifications
Editor’s Note – This is an Illinois Supreme Court Opinion.
The issue is whether, in light of the specific facts and circumstances of this case, the circuit court of Cook County abused its discretion...
Requirements for Stash House Enhancement
(Editors Note: Chicago Federal Criminal Defense Attorney Michael J. Petro represented Mr. Sanchez in the District Court and in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.)
Acasio Sanchez pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and was...
Requirements for Stash House Enhancement
(Editors Note: Chicago Federal Criminal Defense Attorney Michael J. Petro represented Mr. Sanchez in the District Court and in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.)
Acasio Sanchez pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and was...