Posted on November 27, 2014 in Criminal defense lawyer

"This is my damn block!" Along with a string of other expletives, these were the last words that a 24-year-old woman heard when she was walking home with her friend on a warm summer night in 2013.

Immediately thereafter, a young man and about ten other people savagely beat the two women. The 24-year-old woman suffered a broken rib along with serious cuts and abrasions. Last month, the lead attacker pleaded guilty to two counts each of hate crimes charges and aggravated burglary. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

Local authorities aggressively prosecute hate crimes. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office has taken 44 people to court under the hate crimes statute since 2011.

Hate Crimes

During this crackdown, criminal defense attorneys have defended clients in a wide range of circumstances, from attacks on individuals to acts of vandalism against groups of people.

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 Posted on October 31, 2014 in Illinois attorney

Rolling Meadows criminal defense lawyer, DUI defense The Illinois State Police Department has joined with the state’s Department of Transportation with renewed efforts to reduce the number of drunk driving incidents on the road. Their campaign “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving.

The most recent twist on the campaign involves a familiar face for fans of the popular tv show “The Walking Dead.” Social media also plays a big part in these efforts to share the message with drivers commonly associated with drunk driving incidents, such as college students.

The number of fatal drunk driving accidents have reduced since last year, according to a DOT law enforcement representative, but there has still be an estimated 1,000 people over the past fours years who have died as a result of alcohol-related crashes in Illinois.

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 Posted on September 22, 2014 in Uncategorized

Suspended License Downers Grove Courthouse—Downers Grove Traffic Attorney

Experienced Illinois Suspended License Attorney

Driving with a suspended license is typically a misdemeanor in the State of Illinois. There are some aggravating circumstances that can cause it to become a felony, however. Either way, this charge can seriously jeopardize your driving privileges and may even lead to jail time following your appearance at the Downers Grove courthouse. At the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we take these charges seriously and strive to protect our clients’ rights, freedom and driving privileges.

Defending Driving with a Suspended License Charges at the Downers Grove Courthouse

To the untrained eye, charges for driving with a suspended license can seem pretty cut and dry. Either your license is suspended or it’s not. Either you were driving or you weren’t. In truth, however, there are many ways our firm can help you improve your outcome if you are facing this charge.

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 Posted on September 22, 2014 in Uncategorized

Suspended License Glendale Heights Courthouse—Glendale Heights Traffic Attorney

Experienced Illinois Suspended License Attorney

Driving with a suspended license is typically a misdemeanor in the State of Illinois. There are some aggravating circumstances that can cause it to become a felony, however. Either way, this charge can seriously jeopardize your driving privileges and may even lead to jail time following your appearance at the Glendale Heights courthouse. At the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we take these charges seriously and strive to protect our clients’ rights, freedom and driving privileges.

Defending Driving with a Suspended License Charges at the Glendale Heights Courthouse

To the untrained eye, charges for driving with a suspended license can seem pretty cut and dry. Either your license is suspended or it’s not. Either you were driving or you weren’t. In truth, however, there are many ways our firm can help you improve your outcome if you are facing this charge.

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 Posted on September 22, 2014 in Uncategorized

Suspended License Wheaton Field Court Courthouse—Wheaton Field Court Traffic Attorney

Experienced Illinois Suspended License Attorney

Driving with a suspended license is typically a misdemeanor in the State of Illinois. There are some aggravating circumstances that can cause it to become a felony, however. Either way, this charge can seriously jeopardize your driving privileges and may even lead to jail time following your appearance at the Wheaton Field Court courthouse. At the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we take these charges seriously and strive to protect our clients’ rights, freedom and driving privileges.

Defending Driving with a Suspended License Charges at the Wheaton Field Court Courthouse

To the untrained eye, charges for driving with a suspended license can seem pretty cut and dry. Either your license is suspended or it’s not. Either you were driving or you weren’t. In truth, however, there are many ways our firm can help you improve your outcome if you are facing this charge.

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 Posted on September 22, 2014 in Uncategorized

Suspended License Addison Field Courthouse—Addison Field Court Traffic Attorney

Experienced Illinois Suspended License Attorney

Driving with a suspended license is typically a misdemeanor in the State of Illinois. There are some aggravating circumstances that can cause it to become a felony, however. Either way, this charge can seriously jeopardize your driving privileges and may even lead to jail time following your appearance at the Addison Field courthouse. At the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we take these charges seriously and strive to protect our clients’ rights, freedom and driving privileges.

Defending Driving with a Suspended License Charges at the Addison Field Courthouse

To the untrained eye, charges for driving with a suspended license can seem pretty cut and dry. Either your license is suspended or it’s not. Either you were driving or you weren’t. In truth, however, there are many ways our firm can help you improve your outcome if you are facing this charge.

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 Posted on September 15, 2014 in chicago

Gun violence is a concern for virtually every city in America. Predictably, each time a high profile case of a crime committed with a firearm makes headlines, print, broadcast, and social media are almost instantly engulfed by advocates on both sides of the gun control debate. Reaction was similar in early 2014, when a new concealed carry law in Illinois allowed residents to apply for a concealed carry permit. Since the law took effect, the city of Chicago has seen crime rates drop significantly.

In order to obtain a concealed carry license, an Illinois resident must meet certain provisions regarding eligibility and training. The concealed carry law requires the state to grant a license within 90 days to any applicant who meets all of the requirements of the law. When the license is granted, it becomes legal for the licensee to carry a concealed loaded or unloaded handgun on their person or in a vehicle. Even with a license, though, it is not legal to concealed carry in specifically designated places including schools, government buildings, amusement parks, and airports.

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 Posted on September 02, 2014 in Uncategorized

Avoiding a Drug Conviction in Skokie—Skokie Drug Offense Attorney

If you have been arrested for a drug crime in Skokie, Illinois, you have rights. It’s important that you have a skilled and experienced criminal law attorney to fight for those rights. At the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we are experienced in defending clients charged with drug offenses. A former prosecutor, Attorney Matthew R. Gebhardt understands how prosecutors build their cases. We know how to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and how to use those weaknesses to effectively advocate for our clients.

Our firm represents hundreds of individuals charged in Skokie, Illinois drug offense cases like yours. You have many options at your disposal and do not have to settle for a conviction on your record. Cases of this type have many defenses and can often be defeated through evidentiary motions or trial.

Drug crimes are taken very seriously in Skokie, Illinois and prosecuted aggressively. At the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we understand the seriousness of these charges, and we explore every avenue to defend our clients. Many drug cases can be effectively challenged on constitutional grounds. Was there probable cause to search you, your car or your home? Was a search warrant properly obtained? Were you properly informed of your rights? If the answer to any of these questions is, “No,” it may be possible to have the evidence against you thrown out and the case dismissed.

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 Posted on August 26, 2014 in Uncategorized

DUI charges at the Skokie Courthouse—Skokie Criminal and Traffic Defense Attorney

Skokie DUI—Skokie Traffic Defense Attorney

Skokie DUI Defense Lawyer Matthew R. Gebhardt examines the offense of DUI and its penalties under the laws of the State of Illinois.

DUI’s in Skokie, Illinois can be charged as Misdemeanors or Felonies. We will being with an examination of Misdemeanor DUI’s in Skokie, Illinois.

Misdemeanor DUI’s in Skokie, Illinois

Skokie DUI Defense attorney Matthew R. Gebhardt handles many misdemeanor DUI cases in Skokie, Illinois. The minimum penalty on a misdemeanor DUI in Skokie, Illinois is a period of twelve months supervision with alcohol education classes. The maximum penalty on a misdemeanor DUI in Skokie, Illinois is 364 days in the Cook County Department of Corrections. If you plea or are found guilty after a trial on misdemeanor DUI charges in Skokie, Illinois, many factors will be considered in determining your sentence. Some of these factors include: number of prior DUI and alcohol related offenses on your record, your criminal history, age, work status, citizenship status and any mitigating circumstances arising out of your case or background.

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 Posted on August 22, 2014 in Traffic Law

A new law recently signed by governor will go into effect in Illinois January 1, 2015. The new law bans police departments from issuing traffic ticket quotas to officers. It also prohibits departments from including the number of tickets an officer writes when it comes time to determine raises or promotions. The law applies to all state, county and municipal law enforcement officers.

In statements, both the governor and several lawmakers who favored the bill, pointed out that police having traffic ticket quotas often erodes the public trust and that eliminating the quotas will not only restore that trust, but allow police officers to focus on their job of protecting the public.

In his statement, Governor Quinn said, “Law enforcement officers should have discretion on when and where to issue traffic citations and not be forced to issue traffic tickets to motorists to satisfy a quota system. This new law will improve safety and working conditions for police officers and prevent motorists from facing unnecessary anxiety when they encounter a police vehicle.”

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