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Drug Trafficking

Fake drug points: a constitutionally dubious police practice

One of the primary initial concerns in building a criminal defense case is to determine whether police officers involved in the criminal process have acted properly and legally in gathering evidence, arresting, citing, and questioning the criminal defendant. This is an incredibly important question, particularly in cases where police have gathered incriminating evidence by means of questionable practices. To take one example of questionable practices: police in the Ohio town of Mayfield Heights recently tried...

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Drug Possession

Investigation results in drug charges against 23 individuals

Last week, twenty three individuals were charged with federal narcotics offenses for allegedly participating in the distribution of heroin and cocaine in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. The charges were the result of an investigation led by the Chicago Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Around three pounds of heroin and nearly nine pounds of cocaine were seized in the investigation, as well as additional amounts of heroin, crack cocaine, and ecstasy, tens of thousands...

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Drug Possession

Geneva man faces extra charges for hiding evidence of drugs

Many Chicago-area residents know firsthand how seriously local police take any instance of drug-related activity. Whether they catch a person selling drugs, using drugs, or find drugs in their car or home, police will not hesitate to make an arrest. If you find yourself in this situation, it can be tempting to try to make the situation better for yourself by hiding something incriminating. Doing this, however, often leads to even more charges against a...

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Drug Possession

Governor Quinn faces medical marijuana decision

Illinois lawmakers, as our Chicago readers have likely heard, recently approved legislation legalizing medical marijuana. Under the legislation, patients may be prescribed a limited amount of marijuana from a state-operated dispensary. The legislation recognizes certain illnesses for which marijuana can be prescribed. Governor Pat Quinn has yet to sign the legislation, and there are apparently serious questions remaining on the issue of how employers will deal with hiring and firing based on drug testing and...

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Federal Drug Charges

Supreme Court approves practice of pre-conviction DNA profiling

On Monday, the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling that could impact the way states conduct criminal investigations. The decision, which arose from an appeal of a rape conviction made possible by the DNA profiling of a Maryland man arrested for assault in 2009, involved the issue of whether police may take DNA samples from criminal suspects. The court came down with a vote of yes: police officers may conduct pre-conviction DNA profiling on...

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Drug Sales and Distribution

Circuit judge charged in drug scandal

St. Clair County Circuit Judge Michael Cook recently became embroiled in a scandal when he was arrested and charged with federal drug-related charges in connection to a drug case against Sean D. McGilvery, an accused drug dealer arrested last week for his supposed involvement in a drug scandal in St. Clair County. McGilvery has pleaded not guilty to charges of possession and distribution of heroin. Cook was apparently arrested at his home on May 22...

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Drug Sales and Distribution

Police credit recovery firearms to increased enforcement efforts

According to Chicago Police Superintendent Garry F. McCarthy, over 2,660 illegal firearms have been recovered so far in 2013 because of police efforts to protect public safety. The number of guns recovered is apparently not keeping up with the overall improvement in crime, which is significantly down this year. McCarthy says that stronger gun laws are needed to keep illegal guns out of communities and stronger penalties for criminals who carry them. The latter issue...

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Cocaine

Chicago man charged after police found contraband during vehicle search

Police in Evanston arrested a 21-year-old Chicago man last month after finding incriminating evidence during a routine traffic stop. Patrol officers reportedly stopped the car for a minor traffic violation, at which time they saw a passenger toss out a bag they later found to contain roughly 6 grams of cocaine. Along with the crack cocaine, police also said they found $8,700 in cash, as well as marijuana. Those items were discovered when the driver...

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Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking problems on both southern, northern borders

Illegal drug trafficking has it markets, like any other business. Federal officials charged with enforcing drug laws have a lot of work on their hands in dealing with the illegal business of drug trafficking, particularly when it comes to drug trafficking across borders. While there are problems with drug trafficking on both the northern and southern borders, it is the southwest that is the major supplier for markets like Chicago and Atlanta.  According to the...

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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