Author Archives: Edward Johnson & Associates P.C.
Can You Beat A DUI Charge If Your BAC Was Over The Legal Limit In Illinois?
Many people think a DUI conviction is certain if a chemical test shows a blood alcohol level above the legal limit, but that is not always true. While a BAC of 0.08% or higher is a serious challenge, it does not guarantee the prosecution will win. The government must prove every DUI case beyond… Read More »
What Happens After A First DUI Arrest In Illinois?
A first DUI arrest in Chicago can leave you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what comes next. Many people have never been in trouble with the law before and are shocked to learn how quickly a DUI case can affect their driver’s license, employment, finances, and personal life. The decisions you make in the… Read More »
Can Illinois Felony Charges Be Reduced Or Dismissed?
A felony charge in Chicago can seriously affect your future, freedom, career, and reputation. People think that once charges are filed, a conviction is certain. However, that is not the case. Prosecutors, police officers, and witnesses can all make mistakes. Sometimes, evidence is weak, incomplete, or collected in the wrong way. Every felony case… Read More »
Illinois Retail Theft Charges And Long-Term Consequences
A retail theft arrest in Chicago can have consequences that extend far beyond a single court date. Many people assume that shoplifting or retail theft charges are minor offenses that can simply be explained away. That assumption can be a costly mistake. Illinois prosecutors often pursue these cases aggressively, and a conviction can affect… Read More »
What Happens After A Domestic Violence Arrest In Illinois?
A domestic violence arrest in Chicago can change your life very quickly. Many people are surprised to find out that police can make an arrest even if the alleged victim does not want charges or asks officers not to arrest anyone. Once the police are involved, the case often moves fast through the legal… Read More »
How To Defend Against Illinois Unlawful Weapon Possession Charges
Facing an unlawful weapon possession charge in Chicago is serious. A conviction can mean jail or prison, large fines, a permanent record, and losing important rights and opportunities. Many people are surprised that these charges often come from routine traffic stops or police encounters unrelated to violent crime. The State may treat your case… Read More »
How To Respond To A Federal Criminal Investigation
Finding out you are the target of a federal criminal investigation can be extremely stressful and confusing. Some people think they do not need a lawyer if they have not been arrested, but this can be a costly mistake. Federal investigators often spend a long time building their cases before filing charges. By the… Read More »
What To Expect During A Federal Criminal Investigation In Illinois
Finding out you might be a target, subject, or witness in a federal criminal investigation is a very serious situation. Federal agencies have a lot of resources and power, and their prosecutors often spend months or years building cases before filing charges. Many people think that if they have not been arrested, they are… Read More »
Illinois DUI Arrests And The Risks Of Refusing Chemical Testing
A DUI arrest in Illinois can have an immediate and lasting impact. Some drivers think that refusing a breath, blood, or urine test will help them avoid a conviction, but this often leads to more legal trouble. Refusing chemical testing can affect your driving privileges and make your defense more difficult. The choices you… Read More »
How Prior DUI Convictions Increase Penalties In Illinois
A DUI arrest is always serious, but the stakes become significantly higher when a person has prior DUI convictions on their record. Prosecutors and courts in Chicago treat repeat DUI offenses far more aggressively than first-time offenses. What may have been charged as a misdemeanor in the past can quickly become a felony carrying… Read More »