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Category: Criminal Defense

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Criminal Defense

Jurors may bring their personal views when hearing a case

When defendants in Illinois go on trial for state or federal offenses, they often face a jury trial. Jurors’ life experiences and opinions about society can often affect their decisions, for better or worse. One Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling in February 2019 formalized the recognition of that reality, saying that members of juries cannot leave their world views outside the courtroom. Instead, the court argued that it was not desirable for jurors to ignore...

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Criminal Defense

Ruling bolsters protections for cell phone data

For many people in Illinois, the advancement of technology can also lead to a decrease in personal privacy. While many individuals are familiar with the controversies surrounding tech companies’ use of personal data, the issue can be far more significant when law enforcement wants access to a person’s locked cell phone. A federal judge’s ruling may provide people with greater protection for their cell phone data. The judge at the U.S. District Court for the...

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Criminal Defense

Suspect in Christmas Day killing extradited to Illinois

The U.S. Marshals Service arrested a 37-year-old man out of state in connection with the fatal shooting of a 39-year-old man in Decatur on Christmas Day 2017. Police in Macon County processed the suspect, who remains in jail awaiting charges from the Macon County State’s Attorney’s Office. The arrest warrant issued by local authorities cited preliminary charges for first-degree murder. A detective declined to share any information about the circumstances that allegedly connected the suspect...

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Criminal Defense

Criminal suspect lineup reforms could reduce misidentification

Criminal cases in Illinois sometimes depend on testimony from witnesses. Although people tend to believe witnesses who identify suspects, this information is potentially unreliable. The Innocence Project, which helps people wrongfully convicted of killings and sex crimes gain their release with DNA evidence, reported that 71 percent of 350 exoneration cases involved witnesses who had identified the wrong people. A reform, known as a double-blind lineup, has begun to take hold in the law enforcement...

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Criminal Defense

Supreme Court ruling protects privacy of cell phone location data

Cell phone users in Illinois and nationwide gained a landmark ruling from the Supreme Court of the United States regarding the privacy of their cell site location information. Privacy advocates view the 5-4 decision as a landmark ruling that updates the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures for the 21st century. Telecom companies automatically collect and store location data gathered as cell phones connect with tower signals. Law enforcement agencies had been routinely...

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Criminal Defense

Problem of false identifications

In Illinois, some people have been exonerated after being wrongfully convicted of crimes that they did not commit. Some of these people were convicted after being falsely identified by witnesses. The problem of false identifications in criminal cases is widespread, affecting innocent people across the U.S. According to the California Innocence Project, mistakes are often made with how the photo lineups are conducted by the police. The errors occur in both the photographic lineups and...

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Criminal Defense

New law may favor Illinois defendants

Passed in the summer of 2017, the Bail Reform Act took effect in Illinois on Jan. 1. The new law requires courts within the state to consider a defendant’s financial situation when determining if he or she should post bail to be released. It also requires that the court consider the threat a person may face before requiring bail as a condition of release. Individuals may be eligible for recognizance bonds if they are charged...

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Criminal Defense

Do you have legal grounds to file an appeal?

Facing criminal charges can cause you to feel confused, anxious and many other emotions. Though you may work to create a criminal defense against the allegations leveled against you, you may still find yourself facing a conviction. This situation can feel even more nerve-wracking as the sentencing you may have to deal with could have considerable impacts on your life. Even though you may think that you have no other options once a conviction has...

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Criminal Defense

Black people may face harsher punishments than whites

In Illinois, black people who are charged with crimes are likelier to be convicted of the charges that carry jail time and to receive harsher punishments than those who are white. While the disparate treatment of suspects by law enforcement officers has long been studied, a new study analyzed the treatment of defendants by prosecutors and the courts, finding that the disparate treatment continues within the court system. A researcher at the Loyola Law School...

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Easy to work with – and hard to work against. A veteran of many high profile federal and state cases, clients are often surprised by how approachable they find Damon. But having seen him at trial dozens of times over the years, I can attest to his powerful motions practice, ability to conduct relentless cross-examinations, and give moving openings/closings. With personal and professional qualities that make him easy to work with – and hard to work against – anyone in need of a criminal defense attorney would be in great hands with Damon Cheronis.

Andy B. Chicago, IL

A lawyer who truly cares and listens to his clients. Damon, is a lawyer who truly cares and listens to his clients. He was totally prepared for the case so he was never surprised by the prosecutions evidence or arguments. He and was able to put the prosecutors in a defensive mode. He was by far the best attorney in the court room. I would highly recommend him to everyone.

John D. Chicago, IL

More than just and attorney! Very professional, always pays attention to detail and hungry to fight for his clients. The price I paid does come close to how hard he works. More than just and attorney! I definitely would recommend Damon to anyone I knew who needed a good attorney.

Ashley C. Chicago, IL