Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog

June 14, 2023

Car Thefts Reach Record High in Chicago

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

After social media videos disseminated online showed how certain models of vehicles can be hotwired, reports of car thefts have skyrocketed in the Chicago area. Criminal experts say that the boom in car thefts is only partly related to the videos, and carjackings and similar crimes are also accounting for a spurt in car thefts. While data released relates to Chicago, the same can be said of major cities all across the U.S., with some putting the uptick as high as 20%.

Security cameras caught the theft of high-end vehicles from a repair shop, a novel approach to stealing cars. The owner of the repair shop said they had six or seven guys jimmying the locks, which allowed them to overpower the locking devices and break into the repair shop.

Car Theft Statistics by State

June 9, 2023

Woman Charged With Attacking People With a Bat

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

A Chicago woman has been charged with attacking several people with a bat. In at least one case, she asked a victim, “What would happen if I hit you with this bat?” Well, the verdict is in. She will be charged with several counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and face more charges for instances in which she did not use a bat, but merely attacked people with her hands.

All told, she will face four counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, three counts of aggravated battery in a public place, and one count of aggravated assault. Her bond has been set at $800,000 or $100,000 per victim for a total of eight victims. Although the judge noted it was her first offense, he had to consider the safety of the public in assessing bail. The woman is unlikely to have enough money to bail herself out, and thus, she is off the streets.

The attacks appear to be random. In one case, the woman drove up alongside a victim and said something threatening. She then punched the woman in the face and began dragging her by the hair until a third party intervened. An hour later, she found a second victim and said something threatening before attacking.

June 7, 2023

Illinois Vehicle Stop and Search: Know Your Rights

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Police stop and search vehicles every day in Illinois. If your vehicle is stopped and searched by law enforcement, it may be difficult to determine whether or not your rights were violated. Vehicle stops and searches in Illinois are based on the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution, search warrants, and the plain view doctrine. Each stop, search, and encounter with law enforcement is unique and fact specific.

Lawful Vehicle Stops

A police officer may stop a car if they have reasonable articulable suspicion of criminal activity. For example, if an officer observes a driver violating a traffic law, they may lawfully stop the vehicle. Some law enforcement roadblocks, such as DUI checkpoints, may also constitute a lawful stop. If stopped, you are required by law to provide your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. However, the lawful stopping of a vehicle does not grant the officer an automatic right to search your vehicle. Without probable cause (subject to a few exceptions), the officer will need your express permission to search your car. Your permission must be voluntary, or without any type of coercion.

June 2, 2023

Apparent Vigilante Faces Trial for Beating, Robbery

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

It is unclear what, if any, peacekeeping organization the defendant belongs to. However, he was wearing a Peacekeeper’s vest when police say he invaded another man’s car, pulled him from the vehicle, and stole his wallet and cell phone. The attack took place in Little Village, and he was among a group of eight people.

The Peacekeepers are a citizen-run organization that helps prevent violence in Chicago. Thus far, they have not been associated with any violent assaults until one man was caught on police surveillance video pulling another man from his car. The man sustained fractures to his head and ribs. The peacekeeper has since been charged with aggravated battery, robbery, and invasion of a vehicle.

The Rules Regarding Security Teams

May 31, 2023

Two Charged in Attempted Carjacking

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

The victim in this case shot and wounded one of the suspects in an attempted carjacking. The crime occurred in the 7600 block of Cicero Ave near the Ford City Mall, according to the report. The victim, who was 24, was approached by two suspects, one of whom was carrying a handgun. The suspect allegedly fired at the victim, who produced their own handgun and fired back. Police said the victim was legally authorized to carry a weapon and had a valid FOID/CCL license. The victim is not being charged with a crime in this case.

Self-Defense

In this case, the victim has a valid claim of self-defense since the suspect was found carrying a weapon and discharged that weapon. But not all cases of self-defense are so cut-and-dried. In many cases, a victim can be charged with a crime for discharging their weapon in public or even attempted murder.

May 26, 2023

Chicago Couple Accused of Murdering Man They Met at a Bar

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Passing drivers saw a man lying on the side of the road naked from the waist down. They alerted authorities, who tracked the man’s movements to an area bar. From there, they enticed the man into their van, where he was beaten and strangled. His body was dumped on the side of the road, and now both are facing first-degree murder charges.

It is fair to ask whether or not both defendants can be charged with the murder. It may end up being that one of them is charged with first-degree murder for the strangulation and physical assault that led to death while the other is charged with felony murder. This would divide itself along the vector of man and woman. The woman would likely be charged with conspiracy to commit murder, while the husband would be charged with perpetrating the physical death.

At this point, we know little about the details other than what has been reported in the press. However, it is still possible that a first-degree murder charge against the wife will happen. If it does, the couple is unlikely to ever see one another again in person. They will be separated in prison.

May 24, 2023

Chicago Man Charged With Using Snapchat to Solicit Sexual Videos

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

A Chicago man has been charged with using the popular social media platform Snapchat to solicit sexually explicit videos from minors. This is not a unique case, as those charged with sexual predation often use the internet to find victims. It is, however, illegal to attempt to solicit sexual photos and videos from individuals that the perpetrator knows are underage. The key here, however, is what the perpetrator knew at the time.

For that reason, when law enforcement approaches an individual that they believe is using social media platforms to sexually exploit children and teenagers, they have to tell the suspect what their age is. In these cases, they can establish that the individual was targeting someone they knew was a minor. It is not illegal, only unseemly, to ask women over the age of 18 for sexually explicit content.

Analyzing Sexual Exploitation Prosecutions

May 19, 2023

36-Year-Old Faces Hate Crime Charges for Defacing CTA Sign

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

A 36-year-old man is facing hate crime charges after writing a racial slur on a public CTA sign. While this may seem like it falls under the banner of free speech, and there are those who want it to fall under the banner of free speech, defacing anything that does not belong to you is considered a property crime in every state in the country. Further, the law makes room to criminalize speech that is used purely for the sake of intimidation and/or falls under the banner of civil rights protections. In this case, defacing a public sign for the purpose of intimidating people of color, people who practice other religions, or gender non-conforming people is a crime in Illinois and under federal law.

Police observed the man using a Sharpie to write something on the sign. According to the allegations, the man wrote “Black line” and then added a racial slur, according to police.

Typically, in a situation like this, the police would report what the racial slur was. In this case, they have not, but we can guess. It then becomes a matter of proving that the individual did indeed use a racial slur or was likely to complete a racial slur if given a chance. However, if police interrupted him in the middle of writing the racial slur, then he may still have a viable defense to the hate crime charges.

May 17, 2023

Police Officer Charged With Criminal Sexual Abuse

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

A Chicago police officer has been recently charged with a sex crime after he was accused of having a sexual relationship with a child. Police are remaining silent about the child’s age and gender but have charged the officer based on the child’s self-reported allegations. According to police, the attack occurred in a parking lot. The victim knew the attacker and identified him as a 30-year-old police officer in good standing with CPD.

In a case like this, the child will be interviewed by the Children’s Advocacy Center in conjunction with CPD’s Internal Affairs and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. The officer has since been charged with a felony count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against a child as well as aggravated battery in public.

According to authorities, the attack was violent. The officer is accused of groping the victim and then striking them. The defendant has been released on a $10,000 bond and is required to have no contact with the victim or anyone under the age of 18.

May 12, 2023

College Football Player Arrested on Charges of Sexual Assault

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

A college football player is facing serious charges of sexual assault after authorities say that he pushed a woman into a stairwell, knocking her unconscious and then raping her. The force of the shove left her with a fractured spine. He is now facing charges of felony sexual assault and misdemeanor domestic violence.

According to the allegations, the football player accused the woman of cheating on him. The argument grew tenser, and he pushed the woman into a stairwell. The woman was injured enough that she lost mobility, and she began pleading with the football player to call an ambulance. He refused, and instead, he raped her.

Had he called an ambulance, he would have likely faced charges for misdemeanor domestic violence, been required to take an anger management course, and possibly been able to establish himself at another university. But the event did not unfold that way, and he is now facing criminal sexual assault charges that would include significant prison time. At this point, he has been suspended indefinitely, pending the outcome of the investigation.