On behalf of Albert L. Wysocki, A Professional Corporation posted in Felonies on Thursday, March 15, 2012
In Illinois, it is illegal to record a conversation with anyone unless all parties involved in the conversation allow for the conversation to be recorded. Violating this law could result in a felony charge with a 15-year prison sentence if one is convicted of the charge. However, some argue that this state law is too broad and strict, and could easily lead to innocent people facing serious charges.
Several state lawmakers are currently fighting to change the Illinois eavesdropping law, and earlier this month, a Cook County judge ruled that the state law is unconstitutional.
On behalf of Albert L. Wysocki, A Professional Corporation posted in Drug Charges on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Lake County residents who have never known someone who struggled with a chemical dependency problem might assume that anyone who has an addiction to drugs must also be associated with committing serious drug crimes such as drug trafficking or drug distribution. However, this is simply not true. A drug problem may begin when an adult is prescribed a strong pain medication after a surgery. Or perhaps a teen decides to try drugs to cope with depression.
An addiction to drugs can cause people to make poor decisions out of desperation that they would have never contemplated when sober. An individual might steal prescription drugs from a family member or purchase large quantities of drugs off of the street to ensure that one has a large enough supply for personal use. But when individuals are caught in possession of large quantities of drugs, they could face a lengthy prison sentence, even if the drugs are meant for their personal use.
Last week, a 31-year-old Round Lake Park man pleaded not guilty to drug possession charges after police found large quantities of heroin and Ecstasy in his home. The man was charged with the criminal offenses after emergency responders were called to his home in January for a possible drug overdose. While helping the man get the medical attention he needed, some responders reported that they found bottles of heroin and Ecstasy in the home.
On behalf of Albert L. Wysocki, A Professional Corporation posted in Drunk Driving on Thursday, March 8, 2012
Oftentimes it may only take a broken taillight for an officer to conduct a traffic stop or the faint odor of alcohol on a driver's breath to administer a field sobriety test, but there are also many cases in which police officers are encouraged to use their discretion when it comes to making traffic stops and DUI arrests.
If a Chicago officer suspects an individual of drunk driving without enough evidence to support filing DUI charges or to justify the lawful administration of a field sobriety test, an officer may not arrest the individual for drunk driving, and the driver may be given the option to find a safer way to get home. On Nov. 5, 2010, an off-duty Chicago police officer was in this very situation. He was pulled over by another officer after running a red light. The on-duty officer suspected the man of drunk driving, but he told the off-duty officer that he would not arrest him as long as he called for a ride home.
Instead of calling for a ride home, the man called in a fake complaint about a fight at a bar so that he could continue to drive himself home. The man now faces criminal charges for allegedly filing the false report.
On behalf of Albert L. Wysocki, A Professional Corporation posted in Sex Crimes on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Some of the most serious types of charges an individual could be accused of are sex crimes that involve children. Additionally, these cases are oftentimes highly publicized and carry some of the most severe penalties an individual could face.
Facing criminal charges and legal penalties for sex offenses in Illinois is a matter that requires an aggressive and strategic defense in order to ensure the protection of one's rights. But effective legal representation may also help to minimize the effects of the social stigma that is oftentimes associated with committing a crime, especially when one's case is highly publicized.
Last week, an Illinois professor was arrested on charges of possessing child pornography. Due to the sensitive nature of the alleged crime, the college professor has already been placed on administrative leave from his job and the media has focused reports of the arrest on how the man has been teaching Christian education at the college since 2006.
On behalf of Albert L. Wysocki, A Professional Corporation posted in Federal Crimes on Friday, March 2, 2012
An Illinois doctor who was recently accused of committing federal crimes has now had his license to practice medicine suspended by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Because a federal indictment is considered to be a serious charge, individuals accused of committing federal crimes will have their cases heard in a federal court where the rules for presenting evidence in a case and sentencing guidelines after a conviction vary greatly from state procedures and rules in criminal cases. In addition to the heightened severity of federal charges, individuals accused of committing a federal offense are also at risk of losing their professional licenses while a case is pending or after an individual has been convicted.
On behalf of Albert L. Wysocki, A Professional Corporation posted in Felonies on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Many of us could probably think of few things we did or said as teenagers that we wouldn't mind being able to take back, no matter how minor or serious those actions were at the time. After making a prank call last week to emergency responders, one Illinois teen is probably wishing he could take back his actions now that he could possibly be charged with a felony for the incident.
Last week, police responded to a 911 call that came in at 8:45 a.m. about a possible gunman at a high school in Charleston, Illinois. The school was placed on security lockdown while police conducted investigations. But when students were released for lunch, a second call was made to 911 with similar allegations.
On behalf of Albert L. Wysocki, A Professional Corporation posted in Drunk Driving on Friday, February 24, 2012
In Illinois, individuals facing DUI charges are at risk of losing their driver's licenses and damaging their reputations or careers if they are convicted of the charges. They could also be required to pay hefty fines and spend time in jail depending on the circumstances of a DUI arrest.
Due to the severe consequences Waukegan residents face when charged with drunk driving, many individuals may choose to fight the charges in an attempt to have the accusations dismissed. Fighting these charges not only may help to preserve one's current rights as well as his or her personal or professional relationships, but defending these cases can also send a strong message to law enforcement that they too must abide by the law when making DUI arrests.
In November, we discussed a DUI case involving the son of a former Chicago Bears coach. The man claimed that law enforcement did not have probable cause to approach him the night he was arrested for drunk driving and had asked a judge to dismiss the charges. After a preliminary hearing earlier this month, it seems that the man may indeed beat the charges.
On behalf of Albert L. Wysocki, A Professional Corporation posted in Drug Charges on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
After investigating a Midway Airport employee since January, a federal drug task force arrested the Southwest Airlines baggage handler outside his home last week in Oak Park. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Chicago police began investigating the man after a criminal suspect in another case informed authorities about the man's alleged involvement with trafficking large quantities of liquid PCP in the Chicago area.
The baggage handler for the airport now faces federal drug charges. After his arrest, prosecutors argued that the man could be a flight risk and a danger to the community due to the nature of the alleged crime, therefore, he should remain in the custody of police while he awaits his trial, prosecutors claimed.
On behalf of Albert L. Wysocki, A Professional Corporation posted in Drunk Driving on Friday, February 17, 2012
In Illinois, individuals who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux, could be at a disadvantage if they are ever required to take a breath test for suspicion of drunk driving.
A council member from another state who was arrested for drunk driving is currently appealing his DWI conviction and plans on using GERD as his defense. His attorney said that he will use the defense on appeal if the video of the arrest does not show signs of drunkenness during field sobriety tests.
On behalf of Albert L. Wysocki, A Professional Corporation posted in Federal Crimes on Monday, February 13, 2012
Two long-time Chicago police officers now possibly face spending up to 10 years in prison if they are convicted of stealing from the FBI. The two officers appeared in federal court on Monday and were charged with theft of government funds after the officers allegedly stole money from an individual who they thought was a Chicago drug dealer.
The two officers were arrested Sunday evening and have since been released from jail after posting bail. In addition to the officers paying $10,000 each to be released from police custody, the officers have been required to turn in all of their weapons and passports while their criminal cases are pending in federal court in Chicago. The officers have also been ordered not to have any contact with each other.
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