Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

What Every Defendant in Chicago Should Know Silence Isn’t Guilt—But Prosecutors Hope You Don’t Know That The moment you’re arrested in Chicago, whether for DUI, drug possession, theft, or something more serious, the pressure begins. Police ask questions. Detectives want your “side of the story.” Prosecutors may claim they’re just trying to “clear a few…

Silence, Your Rights, and What Really Happens After an Arrest in Chicago Being arrested in Chicago can be overwhelming. Squad car lights, handcuffs, raised voices, the stress of being questioned, and the fear of what comes next all hit at the same time. People often panic and start talking in hopes that they can explain…

Chicago Arrests Move Fast — Your Rights Are the Only Thing Slowing the Process Down An arrest in Chicago can happen unexpectedly and escalate faster than most people imagine. One moment you are driving down Lake Shore Drive, walking through Wrigleyville, or shopping in the Loop, and the next you are in handcuffs, surrounded by…

When federal agents show up at your door in Chicago, they’re not guessing. They’ve spent months building a case. Whether you’re being investigated by the FBI, DEA, IRS, or ATF, federal law enforcement rarely acts without a plan. From surveillance in neighborhoods like Albany Park or Little Village to indictments handed down in the Dirksen…

Being indicted under 21 U.S.C. § 846 in Chicago is a legal emergency. This federal statute targets drug conspiracy, and it’s one of the most common charges used by U.S. prosecutors to build large, sweeping cases against multiple defendants. In fact, you can be facing ten years to life in prison without ever handling a single gram…

Why Understanding the Terminology Matters for Drivers in Chicago Every day, drivers in Chicago get pulled over and learn that their license has either been suspended or revoked—and many don’t even understand which one applies to them. But under Illinois law, there is a critical legal difference between a suspended license and a revoked one.…

Commercial Drivers in Chicago Are Held to a Higher Standard—and Face Higher Risks For commercial drivers in Chicago, a license isn’t just a convenience—it’s a career. Whether you’re running local deliveries on the South Side, hauling freight through Cicero, or operating a shuttle near O’Hare, your commercial driver’s license (CDL) is your livelihood. And in Illinois, it…

What Chicago Defendants Need to Know For thousands of people in Chicago, probation offers a critical lifeline after a criminal conviction—especially for first-time offenders. Rather than serving jail time, individuals are permitted to remain in their communities, work jobs, and stay with family under court-imposed rules. But when those rules are broken, even by mistake,…

WHY NO-CONTACT ORDER CASES IN CHICAGO ESCALATE QUICKLY Chicago’s criminal courts treat violations of no-contact orders with a level of urgency that many defendants do not anticipate. The city’s size, the high number of domestic-related calls, and the strict stance of Cook County prosecutors combine to create an environment where even the smallest allegation receives…

By The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer Your Rights When Police Question You in Chicago, Illinois Chicago is one of the most active jurisdictions in the nation for criminal investigations. Whether you live in River North, Back of the Yards, Englewood, Wicker Park, Logan Square, or any neighborhood in Cook…