Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
What You Need to Know from a Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you live in or around Chicago, you’ve probably seen a range of law enforcement vehicles on city streets—from unmarked cars to heavily marked DEA or Homeland Security units. It’s no surprise. Chicago is a major hub for both local and federal investigations, including narcotics, weapons trafficking, fraud, and organized crime. As a Chicago criminal defense lawyer who has handled federal and state cases for decades, one question I occasionally hear from clients is this: Can federal agents pull someone over in a routine traffic stop in Illinois?
The short answer is no—federal agents are not traffic cops. But there are important exceptions. In some situations, federal agents may be involved in traffic stops when they’re working in collaboration with local law enforcement or when executing a targeted federal investigation. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or a felony, what happens during that stop—and how evidence is collected—can shape the entire trajectory of your case.
