Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) meets today in Chicago to discuss the rules governing the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. The law has been passed, but patients are still unable to legally use the drug. If JCAR has no objections to the proposed rules, growers, retailers and patients will be able to begin…

Illinois passed a bill in August legalizing medical marijuana and dispensaries are expected to open in 2015. Illinois will issue permits for 60 dispensaries throughout the state, a relatively low number of permits compared to other states. Aside from heavy competition, strict regulations and high costs are going to make it extremely difficult to survive…

Democratic Illinois lawmakers are calling for the creation of a task force to pursue decriminalizing and regulating marijuana in the state. The proponents of the task force highlight the burden on the criminal justice system and the high costs of enforcing drug laws. John Fritchey, Cook County Commissioner, says he will introduce a resolution on…

Skokie Police Officer, Michael Hart, is charged with aggravated battery and official misconduct in connection with a DUI arrest that resulted in serious injuries to a woman after she was allegedly shoved into a jail cell. According to police reports, after Cassandra Feuerstein was transported back to the station following a DUI arrest, video reportedly…

A Cook County judge reversed herself on Monday, dismissing weapons charges against a Chicago man who had been stopped for speeding and informed the officer that he was carrying a loaded pistol in his holster. The defendant possessed a valid FOID card. This decision came after the recent Illinois Supreme Court ruling striking down part…

David Kreutz, 23, of Chicago is charged with DUI and a felony cannabis charge after an accident with a squad car on Tuesday night. Kreutz reportedly crashed into the officers’ vehicle after turning left in front of them on North Sheridan Road in Rogers Park around 7 p.m.. The two Chicago police officers were transported…

Hector Barajas, 23, was charged with driving under the influence as a result of a two-car crash that left one man dead and three other people injured. One of the vehicles hit a light pole. One victim was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital an hour after the crash. Two of the other victims were…

Geno Green, 25, was charged with felony aggravated DUI after a crash that left a 52 year old woman severely injured. The victim, who’s name has not been released, was crossing the street when Green allegedly struck her with his vehicle throwing her onto the pavement. She was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition.…

Joleena Ramos, 23, was charged with two counts of DUI after she crashed her car into a Chili’s restaurant in the Morgan Park neighborhood. The crash caused a small fire in the restaurant which was quickly extinguished. Eight people were sent to several nearby hospitals. Ramos was found behind the wheel of her car after…

Marlon Dampier, 24, was sentenced to 10 years in prison as a result of a fatal 2008 roller rink parking lot crash. Dampier plead guilty to driving under the influence at Markham Court House earlier this month. Dampier’s blood alcohol level was nearly twice the limit at .157 percent when he crashed into another car…