Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

Arrested in Chicago? Here’s What to Expect at the First Court Appearance If someone is arrested in Chicago, the first court appearance they attend is usually a bond hearing, held at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse at 26th and California or one of the suburban Cook County courthouses. This hearing determines if the person will be held in jail…

Wire fraud is one of the most aggressively prosecuted federal crimes in Chicago and throughout Illinois. In a city as large and complex as Chicago—with a dense network of financial institutions, businesses, and digital communications—federal prosecutors are quick to charge wire fraud when they suspect any misuse of phone calls, emails, text messages, or electronic…

At The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, we defend people in Chicago and across Illinois who are accused of serious federal drug crimes, including conspiracy charges under 21 U.S.C. § 846. These are not minor state cases. A federal drug conspiracy charge can lead to decades in federal prison, with no opportunity for parole,…

Chicago Traffic Stops as the Starting Point for Illinois Criminal Prosecutions In Chicago, a traffic stop is rarely just a traffic stop. For many people charged with crimes in Cook County, DuPage County, Will County, or Lake County, the case began on the side of the road with flashing lights and a short conversation that…

Why Miranda Confusion Leads to Criminal Charges in Chicago In Chicago, police encounters happen every day in neighborhoods like Bridgeport, Uptown, Bronzeville, and Jefferson Park. Many people believe they understand their Miranda rights, but in reality, misunderstanding when those rights apply is one of the most common reasons defendants damage their own cases. As a…

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…

Why Delay Is One of the Most Common and Costly Mistakes Defendants Make Under Illinois Law Federal criminal cases in Chicago rarely begin with flashing lights or an arrest. In many situations, the first signs are subtle. A knock at the door from federal agents. A request for documents. A subpoena issued to a bank…

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…