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...
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...
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. ...
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...
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...
18 USC 1001: False Statements Must Be Material to the Federal Government
William Patrick Clark’s trucking business was hired to perform hauling services on a state-and federally funded highway project in Missouri. Because federal funds were in play, Clark’s contract with the project’s general contractor required that he pay his truck drivers the federal prevailing wage pursuant to the Davis-Bacon Act (which, at the...
Medical Marijuana in Illinois: Qualifying Conditions
The following have been approved as qualifying conditions under Illinois’ Medical Marijuana Law:
Alzheimer’s disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Arnold Chiari malformation Cachexia/wasting syndrome Cancer Causalgia Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating...Entrapment: Presence of Several Inducement Plus Factors Leads to REVERSAL
Defendant James Barta has appealed his conviction for conspiracy to commit bribery. He was charged and convicted based on an undercover government sting operation that evolved into an agreement among Barta and his co-defendants to bribe a fictional county official in California...