The Chief Judge of the Southern District of Illinois has issued a dire warning about the consequences of the federal government's ongoing shutdown on the justice system. There are many obvious pain points related to the shutdown -- including the vast numbers of unpaid...
Criminal Defense
Firm partner selected for Rising Stars lists
Attorney Alex Fawell is selected to the Illinois Rising Stars list for 2019. Alex is a managing partner at who represents clients in family and criminal law matters. Earning this honor only four years into his legal career is a significant...
Genealogy tests usher in new era of criminal investigations
As another holiday season moves past, thousands of Americans will be anxiously awaiting the results of the genealogy tests they received as presents. Law enforcement officers may also be waiting on the newest addition to what has become an increasingly useful tool...
Considering cooperation and non-prosecution agreements
When facing a serious criminal situation, many Illinois residents may not fully understand their legal options. While you likely know that you have the ability to create and present a criminal defense against any charges you face, you may not know about certain deals...
Borrowing a gun for self defense: Legal trouble in the making
Are you thinking about borrowing a gun "just in case" something happens? The world can be a scary place. Sometimes, it just feels better knowing that you have a gun around for protection. If you're going to be alone in a new apartment, going through trouble with a...
Illinois passes jailhouse informant restrictions
Illinois has taken a major step to prevent wrongful convictions and protect innocent people from going to jail based on the word of jailhouse informants. The Illinois statute, which is considered to be the strongest in the nation, takes aim at a system that rewarded...
Don’t be in a rush to take the plea deal you’re offered
If you've been charged with a crime in Illinois, the odds are high that your case will never go to trial. While it varies a little from state to state, 97 percent of federal convictions happen through plea deals. So do 94 percent of convictions for felonies at the...
Should you be honest with your defense attorney?
If you are charged with a crime in Illinois, the best thing you can do for yourself is defend your rights. You don't want to end up with a bias against you in court, and you shouldn't have to worry about unfair treatment. Whenever you're charged with a crime, you have...
The Bail Reform Act may lead to less pretrial detention
After an arrest, many people wait to learn whether the court will allow for their releases on bail or bond. In numerous cases, parties may not have the ability to meet cash bail amounts, and as a result, they spend a considerable time in pretrial detention. Commonly,...
2 nonviolent individuals arrested on drug charges
If you are addicted to drugs, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're out to harm other people. You may only want to do what you can to help yourself avoid withdrawal. If you have nowhere to turn, then it's the only lifestyle you know how to rely on. This is something...