Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Understanding Your Rights After an Arrest in Illinois
Being arrested is one of the most frightening experiences a person can face. Whether it happens on the street in Bronzeville, during a traffic stop in Rogers Park, or as part of a federal investigation downtown, the fear and confusion are immediate—and one of the first questions people ask is, “How long can the police keep me here without charging me?”
As a longtime Chicago criminal defense lawyer and federal defense attorney, I’ve seen this question come up hundreds of times. The truth is that Illinois law, federal law, and constitutional protections work together to limit how long you can be held without formal charges. But those rules only help you if you understand them—and if you have legal counsel to enforce them.
