schantz-law.blogspot.com
Chicago Criminal Defense: February 2012
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Stories from my experiences as a solo practicing criminal defense attorney in Chicago, IL. Tuesday, February 28, 2012. Why The Death Penalty Should Be Banned. I don't claim to know the very large case body that covers the death penalty in the United States. Since it's a state issue, there has to be a long history of jurisprudence state by state. However, there are a couple of very important federal cases to be aware of. Following the decision in Furman. In 1976, in Gregg v. Georgia. Cruel and unusual pun...
schantz-law.blogspot.com
Chicago Criminal Defense: A Closing Argument
http://schantz-law.blogspot.com/2011/09/closing-argument.html
Stories from my experiences as a solo practicing criminal defense attorney in Chicago, IL. Sunday, September 4, 2011. From my most recent trial. Here is my actual closing argument I used in the courtroom. What's missing from this are the pictures I showed the jury to aid in my argument. Just thought there might be some interest. Here is also a link. To one of the news stories when this incident happened on July 16, 2009. According to my file, I was hired on August 6, 2009. A SWAT team is needed if people...
schantz-law.blogspot.com
Chicago Criminal Defense: March 2012
http://schantz-law.blogspot.com/2012_03_01_archive.html
Stories from my experiences as a solo practicing criminal defense attorney in Chicago, IL. Tuesday, March 27, 2012. Closing Argument From Cold Case Murder Trial. About two years ago, someone in the county jail (I can't remember who) gave my business card to his cell mate. Around here we call them 'cellies'. A short time after that, I was called by a woman who told me her brother was in the county jail over a murder that happened in 1984. My ears immediately perked. He continued telling me the story.
schantz-law.blogspot.com
Chicago Criminal Defense: March 2011
http://schantz-law.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html
Stories from my experiences as a solo practicing criminal defense attorney in Chicago, IL. Tuesday, March 15, 2011. Spousal Consent To Search. I recently had a case where my client was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. I filed a motion to suppress the gun. Though many facts were in dispute at the hearing on that motion, the issue was clear: does a spouse have the legal authority to consent to the search of their husband's/wife's car? The officers believed, though incorrectly, that a ...
schantz-law.blogspot.com
Chicago Criminal Defense: September 2011
http://schantz-law.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html
Stories from my experiences as a solo practicing criminal defense attorney in Chicago, IL. Wednesday, September 7, 2011. Belief In a Tough Case and The Trial. In early August 2009, I was called by a young woman. Her brother was in the county jail and needed a lawyer. At this point, there's nothing unusual about this caller and the problem. I don't get many personal phone calls, so when my phone rings, it's typically someone with a loved one in jail. "What kind of case does he have? I was lead to a room u...
schantz-law.blogspot.com
Chicago Criminal Defense: When The Incredible Is Credible
http://schantz-law.blogspot.com/2010/07/when-incredible-is-credible.html
Stories from my experiences as a solo practicing criminal defense attorney in Chicago, IL. Thursday, July 22, 2010. When The Incredible Is Credible. In April I felt betrayed by a jury that didn't want to be in court. If you recall before the trial was over 2 had gotten off the jury and another person tried to be excused. In that case there was no physical evidence. Instead there was testimony from felons that conflicted with other witnesses' testimonies. Is not guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the jur...
schantz-law.blogspot.com
Chicago Criminal Defense: Closing Argument From Cold Case Murder Trial
http://schantz-law.blogspot.com/2012/03/closing-argument-from-cold-case-murder.html
Stories from my experiences as a solo practicing criminal defense attorney in Chicago, IL. Tuesday, March 27, 2012. Closing Argument From Cold Case Murder Trial. About two years ago, someone in the county jail (I can't remember who) gave my business card to his cell mate. Around here we call them 'cellies'. A short time after that, I was called by a woman who told me her brother was in the county jail over a murder that happened in 1984. My ears immediately perked. He continued telling me the story.
schantz-law.blogspot.com
Chicago Criminal Defense: What Happened?
http://schantz-law.blogspot.com/2010/04/what-happened.html
Stories from my experiences as a solo practicing criminal defense attorney in Chicago, IL. Friday, April 23, 2010. My client was convicted today of first degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm for the shooting of a second person. When the verdict was read I was sure the clerk misspoke. I really did. Sitting here a couple hours later, I am still in shock. How did this happen? Why did this happen? Next comes loser's self-analysis. There were two defendants in this case and two juries. The ...
schantz-law.blogspot.com
Chicago Criminal Defense: Playing Catch Up
http://schantz-law.blogspot.com/2012/02/playing-catch-up_22.html
Stories from my experiences as a solo practicing criminal defense attorney in Chicago, IL. Wednesday, February 22, 2012. While Google hunting myself, I did find that I was mentioned. On Scott Greenfield's blog, Simple Justice. Apparently I was nominated in December of 2011 for Criminal Law Blog Post of The Year. By Mark Draughn of Windypunidt. Scott Greenfield goes on to spread some niceness my way when he discusses some of the 2011 nominations. Activity has been reduced significantly. That building has ...
schantz-law.blogspot.com
Chicago Criminal Defense: April 2011
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Stories from my experiences as a solo practicing criminal defense attorney in Chicago, IL. Friday, April 8, 2011. Hello 40. What took you so long? I turn 40 next week. I remember being in high school and having friends whose parents turned 40. It seemed so damn old. My life hasn't exactly been text book in terms of a typical life progression. But then I don't think I am too typical. It's 10 years later. I am 10 years older. But fundamentally not much has changed. I am again in a band. At 30 I had stress&...