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Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyers

What should I do if I am contacted by the police for taking unauthorized videos?

As a criminal defense lawyer who has represented clients from the Northwest suburbs to Chicago, I am often asked the question, "What should I do if I am contacted by the police or investigated for taking unauthorized videos?"

Do not take this blog as legal advice but typically I tell my clients that the best thing they can do is to contact an attorney immediately who can act as a buffer or at least a go-between for the client and the police investigating him. Many times in an unauthorized video investigation, the police will get enough information to prosecute from simply speaking with the defendant prior to him meeting with counsel. It is important that the client understand that even putting himself at the scene of the crime can be enough to allow charges to be brought forth any case such as this which is why it is important to remain silent and retain an attorney. Oftentimes, I as an attorney, can discuss matters with the police that would be seen as an admission by my client if the same words came out of his mouth. Should you have any questions about an unauthorized video or potentially illegal files being sought by the police or other investigative agency, You can contact my office at anytime. Also, if you would like to see some of our successful representations of clients you can take a look at these videos.


- Posted by Criminal Lawyer, John W. Callahan

Location:Schaumburg, Illinois

What should I do the day after an arrest for a DUI?

As a DUI lawyer who represents clients charged with DUI in Schaumburg and Mount Prospect, I received numerous calls this weekend from people who were arrested on DUI charges. As I was trying to think what to write today, it came to me that when people first call me they are most interested in finding out what they should do right after a DUI arrest.

My answer to them is always the same. The single best thing that a person can do after being charged with a DUI is to hire a lawyer right away who can file a petition to rescind the statutory summary suspension immediately. The lawyer who understands that filing the petition to rescind gives their client a huge advantage in court is crucial. If the lawyer is not aggressive in trying to beat the summary suspension, the client will have no clue that there IS hope that the client will not lose his or her driving privileges.

I always tell people who call that if they were in my family, I would file the petition to rescind immediately in court. This gives them the best chance to fight the suspension and keep their driving privileges. How often does this work? Just this past week we had one day where we are able to have three of our clients beat their suspensions.

Should you wish to look at any of the successful cases we have resolved for some of our clients, feel free to contact us anytime with any questions about your DUI case.


- Posted by DUI Lawyer, John W. Callahan

Location:Schaumburg, Illinois

In Illinois should I submit to a breathalyzer if stopped by the police for a DUI?

As an Illinois DUI lawyer, I am asked this question all the time by random people all over the city. As soon as someone finds out I am a criminal defense lawyer, the most common question is, "What should I do if I am stopped by the police for a DUI?"

The most common answer I give these people is that, in Illinois, the best thing to do is not submit to a breathalyzer test. The reason for this is because when you submit to a breathalyzer test, you give the police evidence to use against you in court. When you submit to a breathalyzer exam it allows the state to use more evidence against you to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In addition, the State can add an additional DUI charge for blowing over .08 on the breathalyzer machine.

While this is my typical answer, there are always reasons why one might consider blowing into the breathalyzer machine. These rules also do not apply in other states as I can only recommend this information to clients and people in the state of Illinois. Should you ever have any questions about a DUI charge you can always contact DUI lawyer Mike Noris or myself DUI lawyer John Callahan at any time.


- Posted by DUI Lawyer, John W. Callahan


Location:Schaumburg, Illinois

What is the penalty in Illinois for possession of heroin?

As a criminal drug defense lawyer in the State of Illinois, I have represented hundreds of people charged with possession of heroin in the Chicago area. Typically, the person charged with a heroin offense is charged with a class IV felony. A class IV felony in the State of Illinois carries a potential sentence of 1 to 3 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections but it is also a probationable offense.

Many clients have asked me if it is wise to have an attorney appear at the preliminary hearing on a possession of heroin offense. My answer to that question is always, yes. A good attorney can always help break down a case at the preliminary hearing and I can't tell you how many times I have won the felony heroin case and have had the case dismissed at the preliminary hearing. Often, the officer testifies quite unbelievably and the judge will not grant probable cause therefore dismissing the case.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a heroin related felony in Chicago or one of the surrounding suburbs, criminal drug lawyer Mike Noris and defense attorney John Callahan have had successful results hundreds of times over their combined 60 years of experience representing clients. If you are interested you can click on a video of successful drug cases we have completed in Illinois.

- Posted by drug defense lawyer, John W. Callahan

Location:Chicago

Can I be charged with a felony for a marijuana offense in Illinois?

As a criminal defense lawyer in the Chicago area and surrounding suburbs, I have represented clients charged with marijuana possession as well as marijuana possession with intent to deliver charges for the past 15 years. Many clients asked me whether or not they could be charged with felony for a marijuana offense. The answer is simple. Yes.

Well it is very difficult to be charged with a class X felony for just a simple possession charge of cannabis in the state of Illinois. A client who is charged with delivering more than 5000 grams of marijuana will face a class X felony which is punishable by 6 to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and/or a $200,000 fine.

Mike Norris and John Callahan have been successful drug defense lawyers in the State of Illinois for decades. Should you have any questions about a marijuana case, feel free to contact them immediately.


- Posted by Criminal Defense Lawyer, John W. Callahan

Location:Schaumburg, Illinois

Chicago DUI arrests on Memorial Day weekend 2013

As a DUI lawyer who practices in Chicago I am writing to let you know that this Memorial Day weekend there will be several extra patrols of police out on the streets of Chicago. From roadblocks to extra police patrols, the police will be looking to arrest people for DUIs over this Memorial The reason this gives you the best chance to win is because when you do not submit to the breathalyzer or field sobriety tests the police don't have the evidence necessary typically to convict you of a DUI in court. Day weekend 2013. These extra police patrols typically look for people under the influence of alcohol between the hours of 9 PM and 4 AM each night through the weekend. Obviously, it is wise not to drink and drive, but should you find yourself in a situation where you are arrested over the Memorial Day weekend holiday Mike Norris and John Callahan can help you with your DUI case. In Illinois, the best way to give yourself a chance to beat a DUI arrest is by not submitting to the breathalyzer at the police station and, if possible, not performing the field sobriety tests or the portable breathalyzer on the scene of the arrest.

Whether this is your first DUI arrest or if you have had more than one you can always count on Mike Norris and John Callahan to answer any questions you may have at any time.


- Posted by DUI Lawyer, John W. Callahan

Location:Chicago, Illinois

Petition to beat the DUI suspension in Chicago

As DUI lawyers in the city of Chicago, John Callahan and Mike Noris have represented clients charged with DUI for a combined 50 years. When you are charged with a DUI it is important to file a petition to rescind the statutory summary suspension immediately. Otherwise, you could increase the risk of you losing your drivers license for between six months and three years.

The best way to attack the suspension is to file the petition immediately in court. Once this is done the state is put on notice that they must give a hearing to you and your attorney within 30 days of the date of the filing of petition or they will not be allowed to proceed and case law will allow you to beat the statuary statutory summary suspension and win the suspension.


- Posted by DUI Lawyer, John W. Callahan

Location:Chicago Illinois

Criminal murder trial in Cook County

Many people as us if all we handle are DUI cases. While the answer to that question is no, we do handle all types of DUI cases from first offense DUI to drug related DUI charges. With that said we handle cases from as small as retail theft all the way up to the most serious charges of rape and murder. In fact, Michael Norris is currently on trial in a case involving murder in Cook County right now. It definitely makes for a busy time at the office while the other half is solely focused on a trial for several days.

If you are charged with any criminal matter and have any questions about your case, feel free to contact us anytime.


- Posted by DUI Lawyer, John W. Callahan

Location:Chicago Illinois

DUI Issues in Cook County - the Importance of Showing Up To Court

As a DUI lawyer in Cook County, Illinois, I have seen my fair share of events when the DUI case comes up for trial. One of the most frustrating things can happen when the police officer fails to appear in court for trial. When this happens, the State will normally ask for a continuance and the judge will normally grant the State's request. Once. if the officer fails to appear for a second or third time, most judges tire of the cops failure to appear and will deny the State's request for a continuance. In effect, forcing the State to dismiss the DUI charges. This will work when the client shows up in court. If the client fails to appear in court on the day of trial at the same time the police officer fails to appear, rather than having the case dismissed, a warrant will normally be issued and the matter will be reset until a further date.

Aggressively fighting DUI charges in Cook County works best when the client appears in court.


- Posted by DUI Lawyer, John W. Callahan

Location:Schaumburg, Illinois

DUI Issues for Second Time Offenders

This post should highlight some issues faced by persons charged with their second DUI in Illinois. As a DUI lawyer in Chicago, I have seen thousands of cases including many when a client is charged with a second DUI offense.

It is important to determine if there is a BAC or blood alcohol content greater than a .16. If there is that level the statute requires two days in jail. This normally scares the DUI offender into thinking they will be spending two days in the Cook County Jail. However, in my experience, most of the time, the Court will be satisfied that the client spent one evening in jail at the police station. With day for day credit given by the jail, no additional time needs to be served.

In addition, normally, the second time DUI offender will be ordered to serve 240 hours of community service in lieu of the additional requirement of 5 days in jail.


- Posted by DUI Lawyer, John W. Callahan

Location:Chicago, IL