If you are facing criminal charges, one of the first things you will need to do is hire a defense attorney. Your attorney is the handler of your case and your personal advocate. He or she will manage your plea negotiations, collect evidence and prepare your arguments. It is, therefore, imperative that you retain the right attorney to defend you. To guide you through the process of selecting the right attorney hereContinue reading
Month: July 2016
Month: July 2016
Illinois imposes sentencing enhancements if a weapon is used
In 2007, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that a weapons enhancement was unenforceable because it imposed a harsher penalty than a second, corresponding law in violation of the state constitution proportionality clause. An enhancement is a secondary sentence that the judge can impose on a convicted defendant. Often enhancements can greatly increase the time a particular person spends behind bars. To get around the court ruling, the Illinois legislature approvedContinue reading
Two workers arrested in overtime fraud scheme
Two workers, formerly employed by Amtrak, were charged and arrested for a fraudulent overtime scheme which billed over 900 hours that they never worked. The case is proceeding in federal court. They have been accused of fraud on an agency receiving federal funds and theft of government property. One of the defendants worked for Amtrak for 39 years. He was investigated, and video surveillance ofContinue reading
Study finds 64 percent decline in sexual assault against females
The Bureau of Justice Statistics, a division within the Office of Justice Programs, released a study that found a 64 percent decline in sexual assault and violence against females between 1995 in 2010. Of course, this study needs to be reviewed with a skeptical eye. Sexual assaults are notoriously difficult to track because many of them are not reported to the police. This forces researchers to estimateContinue reading