Murder / Homicide
People vs. Picken
Our client was charged with Murder and Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking. The government accused our client of hijacking an elderly man's vehicle and killing him in the process. The charges arose from an investigation that spanned a 7 year period. The government alleged that our client was returning from a drug run for methamphetamine when his car broke down. The government alleged that our client forcibly hijacked an elderly man's car in order to complete the drug run. During the commission of the offense, prosecutors alleged that our client smothered the victim and dumped his body in a corn field. After approximately 1 year of aggressive defense work, JLG attorneys and investigators were able to get the murder charge dismissed.
Result: Murder charge dismissed.
People vs. Beal
JLG attorneys were faced with a difficult fact pattern when prosecutors charged our client with walking into a diner and shooting another man who supposedly had had an affair with his wife. The difficulties were enhanced because our client committed the act in the presence of multiple friends and family members and was known as an active arms dealer. After months of negotiations our attorneys were able to convince the State to agree to a minimum possible sentence.
Result: Minimum sentence by statute was imposed.
People v. Whalen
Our attorneys have been fighting with the government in order to require the State to order DRA testing on numerous implements found on or about a murder scene. Prior to retaining JLG, our client was convicted at trial of murdering his father at his father's place of business, The Grand Tap Bar, by bludgeoning and battering him with knives and utilities until he was dead.
Result: The trial court ruled in our favor and has ordered DNA testing and we are awaiting the results in hopes of setting our client free.
Additionally, our attorneys have provided representation in multiple death-penalty cases.
Felony Drug cases
Our attorneys have represented hundreds of clients who have been charged with felony drug offenses. In these cases our attorneys have obtained outstanding results which have included dismissals (outright & delayed) of all charges in exchange for our client agreeing to undergo drug treatment in lieu of prosecution. i.e. -People vs. K.Bergson - felony possession of mushrooms; People vs. C. Glynn - felony possession of cocaine; People vs. M. Ewen - felony possession of heroin and hypodermic needles.
People vs. Ngiye
JLG client was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver of a Controlled Substance, a Class 1 Felony. Client was also charged with a Misdemeanor and Speeding Ticket. With our client looking at several years in a state prison, JLG went to work. Our client was a college student with no prior criminal history. After extensive background investigations on our client, receiving an overwhelming amount of support from friends and family, several months of litigations and lengthy negotiations our Attorney convinced the state of Illinois to drop all charges except one.
Possession of Methamphetamine
Result: All charges were dismissed.
Possession Cannabis & Paraphernalia
Result: No jail time was served!
Felony Sex Crimes
Criminal Sexual Abuse
People vs. Puccini
Client was accused of sexually molesting a 16 year old male. The client had been interviewed by local law enforcement officials & the Department of Child and Family Services. Each investigative agency had already determined our client was guilty and advised our client that they were forwarding their report to the State's Attorney with the recommendation of pursuing charges.
Result: Within one month of retaining Johnson Law Group, JLG investigators were able to bring enough evidence to the State's Attorney to prove that the alleged victim had fabricated the story, resulting in the state dismissing the case and written documentation that the state would not pursue charges.
Criminal Sexual Assault
People vs. Adomany
Client had been dating a female that was 1 year younger since he was 16 years of age. When our client turned 18, he moved to a different state to attend college. His girlfriend was still in high school. After a few months, client terminated the relationship with his now 17 year old girlfriend, making her and her family very angry. The girl and her family put pressure on the State's attorney to bring charges against our client for Criminal Sexual Assault. After being contacted by law enforcement, client immediately retained the services of the Johnson Law Group. Client had already admitted to having a consensual sexual relationship with the girl which was a clear violation of the law because of her age.
Result: State's attorney had the right to pursue charges under the law and would have had an extremely strong case due to the confession, however after 3 months of hard negotiation, JLG was able to convince the State to not pursue charges.
People vs. Jolley
Client was charged with Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault. JLG attorneys complied statements and massive amounts of discovery in this case and sifted through it with a fine tooth comb. As the investigation went on, more and more inconsistencies began to appear in the victim's story. JLG's attorneys conducting one interview with the State's attorney and the victim brought this case to a close. The victim admitted that no crime ever took place.
Result: Charges dismissed by the State.
People vs. Cintron
Our client was accused of sexually assaulting a minor female child. JLG attorneys and case managers intervened in order to ensure that our client's rights would be protected.
Result: No charges were ever filed against our client.
People vs. A. Bates
JLG client was charged with having illegal sexual contact with a minor child. This was a case that our attorneys had to push to trial in hopes of obtaining a "not guilty" verdict.
Result: When the prosecutor saw how prepared our attorneys were on the day of trial, they dismissed the case and never re-filed any charges against our client.
People vs. K. Kargbo
JLG client was an African American college athlete that was charged with having sex with a white minor female after she became intoxicated and passed out at a party.
Result: Although the victim's family was adamant about seeing our client spend some time in jail, our attorney's were able to get the felony charges dismissed in exchange for a misdemeanor charge and no jail time was imposed.
People vs. Creamer
JLG client was charged with having sex with his minor stepdaughter.
Result: Our attorneys were able to persuade the prosecutor not to file felony charges in the case. As a result, our client was able to keep his job and continue providing financial support for his family.
People vs. S. Powell
JLG client was charged with a felony offense for willfully failing to register as a sex offender.
Result: Although our client was faced a conviction for his 2nd major felony offense, our attorneys were able to convince the court to impose a minimal jail sentence of 10 days.
People vs. R. Heflin
Allegations were made that our client had oral and vaginal sex with his minor stepdaughter.
Result: Our attorneys were able to intervene prior to any charges being filed and our attorneys aggressively demonstrated the reasons why charges should not be filed. This resulted in "No Charges" being filed against our client.
Child Pornography
People vs. Weirnshenck
JLG attorneys successfully obtained an acquittal (not guilty finding) at trial on behalf of a former Principal of a prominent Christian School who was charged with 7 felony counts of child pornography. The Principal was terminated after he was caught viewing pornography on the school's computers. Investigators confiscated the school's computers and the government's forensic experts were able to identify 50+ images of child pornography on the computer's hard drive. Despite the voluminous evidence presented by the government against the defendant, JLG attorneys won the case and all charges were dismissed.
Result: Found Not Guilty of all charges at trial.
People vs. Bremer
The government charged our client with 13 counts of possession of child pornography on his personal computer. Our client was employed as an Executive and was well known in the community. JLG attorneys and forensic experts required the government to provide us with exact mirrored images of the hard drives that were seized from our clients. Thereafter, we employed our own forensic experts and were able to provide the government with enough conflicting evidence to convince them to dismiss all felony charges.
Result: 13 counts of Child Pornography were dismissed.
Driving Offenses
DUI/DWI
People v. Day
Client was charged with his 2nd DUI. Our attorneys filed motions to suppress evidence and to rescind the 3 year statutory summary suspension of our client's driver's license on the basis of certain legal technicalities. The trial judge granted both motions and the State was disallowed from using any evidence including video taped field sobriety tests and the breath test results. The judge also ordered that our client's driver's license suspension be lifted.
Result - All charges dismissed.
People v. Dugeon
Client was charged with his second DUI. After a long fought battle, the jury came back with a surprising verdict of guilty. JLG attorneys did not stop there. We filed motions for judgment not withstanding the jury verdict and we excitingly were able to convince the judge who presided over the jury trial to overturn the jury verdict.
Result - DUI dismissed outright and court supervision (non conviction) for the charge of illegal transportation of alcohol.
People v. Astroth
Our client was charged with DUI and Illegal Transportation of Alcohol. Since this was not his first DUI offense, the stakes were high b/c a conviction would result in the loss of his license for 3 years and his employment required him to have a driver's license.. Case was set for a Jury Trial. Jury selection was completed and opening arguments were made. Strangely enough, during the next break and before any witnesses were called the prosecutor approached our Attorney and offered to dismiss the DUI charge. It must have been a heck of an opening statement.
Result - DUI dismissed outright and court supervision (non conviction) for the charge of illegal transportation of alcohol.
People vs. Golar
Client had 4 prior DUI/DWI charges and 2 prior driving after his license was revoked. Client was charged with a new charge for driving w/o a license and the State was seeking 180 days in jail. Although State law required a jail sentence, JLG attorneys were able to obtain a sentence where no jail was served.
Result: Client was given the opportunity to complete public service work instead of serving a jail sentence.
People vs. Spellman
Client was found parked in a convenient store parking lot, sleeping behind the wheel of his car with a half full beer can in his cup holder. Client was awakened by two police officers, then they requested a field sobriety test. Unfortunately, the client did not perform the test very well and was also videotaped unable to answer questions correctly. After JLG was retained, it was discovered that this was the client's 5th DUI arrest which in the State of Illinois was a felony that meant the client would have to spend mandatory time in jail.
Result: Charge was reduced to a misdemeanor, small fine and probation.
People vs. Forren
Client was charged with 1 count of DUI, 1 count of BAC over .08 and 1 count of operating an uninsured vehicle. This being his 2nd conviction would see his license revoked for at least 1 year. Client had been found by the police sitting in the driver's seat of a parked car with the keys in the passenger seat next to him. Client failed the field sobriety tests and refused the Breathalyzer at the scene. Later at the police station, client provided a breath sample of .121. JLG attorneys analyzed the situation and were able to get a new charge of reckless driving added to the charges, which is a lower offense than DUI and does not result in revocation of driving privileges.
Result: Client's plea was reckless driving with all remaining counts dismissed, with no loss of driving privileges.
People vs. M. Cox
JLG client was charged with his 4th Driving While Intoxicated offense.
Result: JLG attorneys were able to obtain a disposition where our client was not required to spend any time in jail.
People vs. Penn
Client was charged with his 2nd DUI after police found him and his vehicle in a roadside ditch. Police administered the Field Sobriety Tests and arrested our client. JLG attorneys first obtained a driving permit and then set the case for trial.
Result: Client acquitted of all charges at trial. Driving privileges restored.
People vs. S. Brand
Client was charged with a 3rd Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol offense with an almost certainty of jail time.
Result: Although the prosecutor argued for a 3-year sentence in the Department of Corrections, our attorneys were able to obtain a disposition where our client was allowed to serve a minimal jail sentence which included being released to go to work during his regular work hours.
People vs. Casson
JLG represented a pro football running back against multiple charges of driving while license revoked.
Result: Although the prosecutor fought for jail time, JLG attorneys were able to quash several warrants and were able to obtain a disposition where the client was not required to serve any jail time.
People vs. Wynn
Client was charged with his 6th driving without a license charge and 9th driving without insurance charge. Client was facing a minimum mandatory jail sentence of 120 days in jail. JLG attorneys were able to convince the judge to allow our client to perform community service work instead of serving a jail term.
Result: Jail term avoided.
People vs. Herron
Client was charged with his 6th driving without a license charge and 9th driving without insurance charge. Client was facing a minimum mandatory jail sentence of 120 days in jail. JLG attorneys were able to convince the judge to allow our client to perform community service work instead of serving a jail term.
Result: Jail term avoided.
People vs. H. Dannewitz
JLG client was charged with possession of cocaine and various major traffic offenses in 3 separate counties.
Result: Our attorneys were able to obtain a disposition which allowed our client to serve a minimal 10-day jail sentence which was honored as a concurrent sentence on all 3 counties.
People vs. Blakesly
The client was charged with improper use of a driver's license, a misdemeanor. Most defendants are concerned about imprisonment above all else, while others are concerned that large fines could put them in financial distress. In a case such as this, one might worry about suspension or revocation of driving privileges. The charges in this case were not severe, but that was not the concern of this defendant. Their fear was having their dreams shattered forever because of one unfortunate incident. The role of Johnson Law Group was two fold: to obtain the lowest possible punishment and to keep the charges off our clients' record so that they have a chance to achieve their aspirations.
Result: Achieved!
Theft/Robbery/Fraud Crimes
People vs. Grandlas
This case began with the threat of charges being brought against our client. The client had admitted to 5 separate credit card agencies and 1 Internet loan company that he had used another individual's identity for the purpose of financial gain.
Result: After 8 months of extensive negotiation, JLG's investigators and attorneys were able to convince all lenders not to pursue charges. JLG was able to convince the lender's to open lines of credit in the client's name and transfer all outstanding debt over to the client's accounts.
United States vs. House
The Federal Government charged our client with 8 counts of mail fraud which alleged that he converted in excess of $3 million dollars of client investment monies from a Hedge fund for his own personal use.
Result: Through early intervention and aggressive negotiations, JLG attorneys were able to avoid indictments on the much more serious federal charges of money laundering and conspiracy. As a result, our client's prison term was seriously reduced. This case had national attention and was featured in CBS Market Watch and Forbes magazine.
Theft
People vs. Dooley
JLG Attorney and Investigators worked together as a team with the client, a medical professional who was charged with 8 counts of Felony Theft. With a conviction of a felony, the client's career would end immediately. After 14 months of an extensive investigation by JLG staff, the client agreed to waive a trial in exchange for a plea bargain.
Result: 7 felony counts dismissed, and agreed to plea to a Class A misdemeanor with No Conviction to be entered after completing Court Supervision. The client was able to stay employed in the medical career field and actually went to a higher paying job.
People vs. Cadona
Client was accused of stealing a wallet while holding a knife to a victims throat. After intervening in the police investigation, JLG attorneys/investigators and case managers were able to convince the government to not file any charges.
Result: No charges were ever filed.
People vs. Uddin
Client was charged with Retail Theft after giving a full confession and videotaped placing items from the shelves into his pockets and leaving the story.
Result: JLG Attorney was able to convince the State to dismiss the charges of Retail Theft and the clients record expunged.
People vs. Heil
Client was charged with a receiving stolen property, buying/selling property with Removed or Altered Serial number and Theft. JLG Attorney and investigator tracked down the original owner of the trailer and showed that our client was completely unaware that the trailer he purchased was stolen and in fact showing he was also a victim.
Result: JLG attorneys convinced the prosecution to drop all charges and now defendant is in civil court to recover financial damages for the loss of trailer and attorneys fees.
Burglary/Robbery
People vs. Schmillen
Client was charged with attempted residential burglary. The victim caught our client in the process of committing the crime and was able to positively ID him from a lineup after police caught him hiding nearby. These damning facts were escalated by the fact that our client was already on Probation for a prior Burglary and was therefore facing a lengthy prison sentence. JLG attorneys were able to present significant mitigating factors to the prosecutor.
Result: Client was sentenced to 4 months of boot camp = military type training instead of lengthy prison sentence.
People vs. Hall
Our client was accused of aiding 2 individuals beat and rob a pizza delivery boy after beating him with a tire iron. Our attorneys were able to convince the detectives not to file charges against our client despite his participation.
Result: No charges were ever brought.
Expungements
JLG attorneys have prevailed in numerous cases where clients have sought to expunge their criminal record in order to free themselves of the stigma of having a criminal record due to a mistake in the past. JLG attorneys have prevailed in such cases even though the prosecutor and the state police have vigorously objected to our client's petitions for expungement. i.e. People vs. J. Kale, People vs. P. Janisik.
Public Misconduct
Our Firm has represented public officials who have been charged with criminal offenses. We represented a senior juvenile detention officer when he was charged with felony criminal damage to property. After lengthy negotiations with the prosecutor our attorney's were able to provide a result where all felony charges were dismissed in exchange for a delayed dismissal through a court supervision disposition.
People vs. T. Kowaski
JLG Attorney represented an adult correctional officer who was charged with having sex with a female inmate while she was in jail custody. The State sought to make a public example out of our client and was very adamant about pursuing a jail sentence for this offense.
Result: JLG Attorney was able to obtain a disposition that included "No Jail" time being served.
Arson
People vs. M. Bose
JLG client was accused of burning down his ex-girlfriend's house. It was alleged that our client torched the house in order to induce his ex-girlfriend move back into his home. The evidence at trial included the eyewitness testimony of a paperboy who identified our client at the scene of the blaze at approximately 4:00 a.m. with a bucket of flammable substances. The case included other eyewitness testimony and was capped off by a partial admission by our client.
Result: Despite the incriminating evidence, our attorneys were able to convince the jury into finding our client "Not Guilty" of arson.
Domestic Violence/Battery
People vs. Shaw
Our client admitted to punching his wife in the face and fracturing her jaw. Client was previously convicted of assault, felony aggravated battery, drug charges and multiple additional offenses. The prosecutor sought a 5 year prison sentence.
Result: Client ordered to serve 60 additional days in jail and was placed on Probation rather than being sentenced to prison.
People vs. Cook
Client was charged with Domestic Battery and the Department of Children and Family Services attempted to make a civil finding that our client caused his child to reside in an unsafe environment. JLG attorneys contested both of the government's attempts to punish our client.
Result: Client acquitted of all criminal charges and the State's claim that our client's child resided in an injurious environment was found to be untrue.
People vs Noftz
Our client was a school teacher and basketball coach who lost his job because of the charges against him. Client was unhappy with his current counsel after his case was dragged out for almost a year with no favorable outcome.
Result: Johnson Law Group was hired and in less than three weeks, the client got his case settled with the outcome the client wanted.
People vs. T.Mack
Charges included: Domestic Battery a class A misdemeanor and Interfering with Reporting of a Domestic Violence a class A misdemeanor as well.
Result: Johnson Law Group was able to get all charges on this case dismissed!
Professional License Defense
People vs. Dooley
JLG Attorney and Investigators worked together as a team with the client, a medical professional who was charged with 8 counts of Felony Theft. With a conviction of a felony, the client's career would end immediately. After 14 months of an extensive investigation by JLG staff, the client agreed to waive a trial in exchange for a plea bargain.
Result: 7 felony counts dismissed, and agreed to plea to a Class A misdemeanor with No Conviction to be entered and JLG attorneys successfully defended state's petition to revoke our client's medical license.
Jury Instructions Incorrectly Given
People vs. Griffin
A woman in McLean county was charged with the murder of her infant son. Holding the boy to her chest in an attempt to stop it from crying caused the child to suffocate. Convicted by a jury, Miss Griffin was sentenced to 25 years in prison. The case was appealed, and the trial court was found to have committed plain error in respect to trying this case. The appellate court found that jury instructions given in this case were incorrect in regards to what the required mental state to commit murder was.
Result: The conviction in this case was reversed and remanded.
Right to Counsel
People v. Downey
A man in Lake County had his defense counsel disqualified by a trial court claiming a conflict of interest existed. This was based on allegations that a partner of the counsel's firm had previously represented the victim's grandmother in a civil matter. The court looked to the case People vs. Ortega to determine if a possible conflict of interest existed. In the case of Ortega, the counsel for the defendant was the law partner and brother of the counsel for the defendant in a related case. The appeals court found that no such relationship was present in this case and that the state had not produced sufficient evidence to support the motion.
Result: The trial courts decision in this matter was reversed and remanded.
Escape
People vs. Grant
Client was charged with Felony Escape after he failed to return to the jail to serve a 180 day jail sentence on a prior felony charge. Although, our client was facing a lengthy prison sentence and there no defense was likely, JLG attorneys were able to convince the judge to impose a local short term jail sentence.
Result: Client avoided a prison term on the prior felony and served a short 60 day jail term on the new felony escape charge.
People v. Davis
2nd District - Kane County Illinois Case No: 2-03-0603
Issue: Search and Seizure
A Kane County man won his motion to quash his arrest and suppress the evidence seized. The state appealed the decision and brought the case back to trial. The initial offense that made police question Mr. Davis was riding his bike at night without a headlight. Mr. Davis was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (Cocaine). Officers stated that while being questioned, the defendant seemed nervous and kept reaching into his pocket. The officers stated they believed this to be a "high crime" area and given the circumstances, initiated a pat down search of his person. During the search the officer felt something in his pocket, which he believed was a box cutter. Upon reaching into Mr. Davis's pocket to retrieve the object, the office discovered the cocaine, as well. The appellate courts findings are as follows: the initial stop of Mr. Davis was justifiable. The officer stated in five years he had been at this location three to four times for drug related incidents. The court, however, found the area not to be a "high crime" area. In order to conduct a search, the officer should have had reason to believe the suspect was armed and dangerous. Taking into account the factors in this case, the court found that the search leading to the discovery of cocaine and the arrest of the defendant was not justified based on the factors in this case.
Result: The appellate court affirmed the trial courts decision.
People vs. Flemming
Our client was a twice convicted felon that the police were out to get. The police arrested our client for Resisting/obstructing a police officer on one occasion and for a traffic citation on a separate occasion. Since our client claimed that both of our arrests were bogus, we set both for trial.
Result: We were successful in both cases. Client was acquitted of all charges.
People vs. Ongena
Client was charged with shooting a neighbor's dog who happened to be a local veterinarian. Client was an elderly professional who was fed up with the neighboring animal. Due to the big stakes involved in the case, JLG set the case for trial.
Result: The court took the matter under advisement and later dismissed the case when JLG attorneys requested.
State vs. James Perrenoud
Attorney Michael Puterbaugh represented the Defendant in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas. Initially, the Defendant was charged with One (1) Count of Rape, a felony of the first degree, Two (2) Counts of Gross Sexual Imposition, felonies of the third degree, Two (2) Counts of Sexual Imposition, misdemeanors of the third degree. This case went to a Jury Trial and the Jury found the Defendant guilty of lesser-included misdemeanor offenses on the Gross Sexual Imposition felony charges and guilty of one of the misdemeanor charges. There was a hung jury on the rape charge. This matter then proceeded to a second Jury Trial on a single count of Rape. The Defendant was found not guilty of the rape charge and given credit for the local jail time that he had completed and was released.
Result: The Defendant was found not guilty of the rape charge and given credit for the local jail time that he had completed and was released.
We are licensed to practice in both state and federal courts and are members of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association and many other local county bar associations. We also accept all major credit cards. Our office hours are 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.
