Recent Cases
People of the State of Illinois v. JRD
JRD was arrested in Cicero, Illinois after the police entered his apartment and seized a kilogram of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. The crime carried with it a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years.
The Cicero police claimed that they had received a "tip" from a concerned citizen regarding the presence of drugs in the apartment. Rather than obtaining a warrant, the police went to the apartment, knocked on the door, and claimed that JRD and the co-defendant had consented to the search.
Cheronis and Todd S. Pugh (of Breen Pugh and Associates), filed a motion to suppress the evidence. At the hearing on the motion to suppress, the landlords of JRD's apartment testified that Cicero Police Officers knocked on their door in the middle of the night, claiming there was a hostage situation upstairs. The landlords let them in based on this representation, and allowed them to go to the upstairs apartment where the search occurred.
Testimony by JRD's co-defendant established that the Cicero Police also knocked on the upstairs door and said they were looking for a "missing girl."
The Cicero Police denied ever referring to a hostage situation.
At the close of evidence, the Court granted the motion to suppress. The Court determined that the alleged "consent" was obtained through trickery and invalid. The evidence was suppressed and the case was dismissed.
People v. JP
JP was charged with stealing over $55,000 from his employees 401K accounts. It was clear that JP was innocent of the charges and a trial was the only way to clear his name. The case did proceed to trial and JP was found NOT GUILTY of each and every charge.
People v. AV
AV was charged with a non-probationable class X felony for possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. This charge carried with it a sentencing range from 6-30 years in jail. After investigating the case and filing a Motion to Suppress evidence, Mr. Cheronis was able to secure a plea agreement that led to probation.
People v. TP
TP was arrested and charged with stealing computer equipment from his employer. The matter went to trial and TP was found NOT GUILTY.
People v. JK
JK was arrested and charged with robbery. The police testified that JK was seen fleeing the area of the robbery and arrested him within minutes of the crime. Mr. Cheronis filed a motion to dismiss that was denied. However, after the case went to trial, JK was found not guilty.
People v. LW
LW was charged with a number of offenses, the most serious being attempted murder with a possible 30 year sentence. Before trial the prosecution offered a plea deal with a 4 year prison sentence. The offer was rejected and the case continued to trial. After discrediting the state's key witness on cross examination, the prosecution offered to dismiss the most serious charges and offered probation.
United States of America v. Defendant
Defendant was charged in the United States District Court in Maryland with the offense of conspiring to harbor illegal aliens. The charge carried with it a term of five years imprisonment. After investigating the case and filing pre-trial motions, Mr. Cheronis convinced the prosecutor to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor. The sentence was 6 months probation with no jail time and a fine.
People v. MF
Defendant was accused of murder in a south side project. Mr. Cheronis was part of a defense team that helped acquit the defendant after a jury trial.
United States of America v. DE
DE was charged with stealing government monies in connection with his state employment. Mr. Cheronis negotiated a plea agreement that resulted in a sentence of probation.
People v. CF
Defendant was accused of murder on Chicago's West Side. Following a jury trial Mr. Cheronis was part of a team that helped win the defendant's acquittal.
People v. WG
Defendant was arrested for attempted burglary and violating an order of protection in Will County. An eyewitness placed the defendant at the scene attempting to enter the residence. Mr. Cheronis tried the case and the defendant was acquitted.
People v. FO
Mr. Cheronis represented the defendant after he was arrested in Cicero, Illinois for battery of a child. Following the arrest, the police alleged that the defendant confessed to the crime. Mr. Cheronis moved to suppress the confession based on the illegality of the arrest. The Court suppressed the confession holding that, because the arrest was warrantless and without probable cause, the subsequent confession was inadmissible. The prosecution proceeded to trial and the defendant was found not guilty.
People v. Defendant
The defendant was charged with attempted murder for a shooting that took place on the Eisenhower Expressway. Following a trial the defendant was found not guilty of attempted murder. He received boot camp for reckless discharge of a firearm.
People v. FN and HN
Mr. Cheronis represented two brothers charged with home invasion. Mr. Cheronis took the case to trial and the two were found not guilty after vigorous cross examination of the alleged victims.
People v. AR
The defendant was charged with possession of cocaine. Mr. Cheronis tried the case, and the defendant was found Not Guilty.
People v. LR
The defendant was arrested for Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. If convicted, the defendant faced up to 30 years in jail. Mr. Cheronis filed a motion to quash arrest and suppress evidence based on illegal police conduct. Following an evidentiary hearing and cross examination of the police officers, the court granted the motion and the case was dismissed.
People v. Defendant
The defendant was arrested after his car was stopped and a handgun was found in his vehicle. Mr. Cheronis took the case to trial and received a not guilty verdict for his client.
People v. Defendant
The defendant was stopped by the Maywood Police Department and search of his car revealed cocaine. Mr. Cheronis argued that the search of the defendant's car was unconstitutional. The court agreed and suppressed the drugs. The prosecution was forced to dismiss the case.
P v. D
In one of the few civil cases Mr. Cheronis handles, he represented a well known bank for fraudulent practices in regards to a loan. Following a two week bench trial, the bank was cleared of any wrong doing.
People v. AD
The defendant was arrested in his car and a search revealed narcotics. After a motion to suppress, Mr. Cheronis had the case dismissed.
People v. JC
The defendant was charged with Aggravated Battery of a minor. Mr. Cheronis took the case to trial and impeached key state witnesses on several points. The Judge dismissed the case at the close of the state's evidence based on the cross examinations.
People v. MF
The defendant was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver over 2000 pills of ecstasy and possession of several stolen motor vehicles, all serious felonies.
After a lengthy hearing on a Motion to Suppress Evidence, Mr. Cheronis helped convince the Criminal Court Judge in DuPage County that the Special Task Force that conducted the search and gathered the evidence had arrested the Defendant without probable cause. Because the arrest was illegal, the Court held, the subsequent search that uncovered the contraband was also illegal. A task force made up of four law enforcement agencies had contributed to the investigation and arrest. After the Motion to Suppress Evidence was granted, the State could not proceed to trial and all charges were dismissed.
People v. RC
Mr. Cheronis helped defend a man that was charged with attempted murder. Several eye witnesses identified the defendant in open court as the shooter. The jury was hung 8 to 4 in favor of not guilty.
People v. CJ
CJ was charged with aggravated battery of a senior citizen and faced a minimum of 3 years in prison.
CJ vehemently denied all charges. Mr. Cheronis took the case to trial and a jury found delivered NOT GUILTY verdicts on all charges.
