Before the State of Illinois can formally charge someone with a felony one of two things must first happen: either a finding a probable cause by a preliminary hearing judge or a true bill of indictment from a grand jury.
Schantz Law Office Blog
The Schantz Law Office Blog, published by Schantz Law Office, focuses on criminal defense topics including drug-related offenses, the complexities of felony murder, and accomplice liability. The blog discusses systemic issues in the criminal justice system such as the War on Drugs, addiction treatment challenges, and prosecutorial approaches. It also provides insights into legal strategies and courtroom dynamics, particularly in felony cases. The blog reflects practical experiences from the author's criminal defense practice, highlighting real-world implications of legal doctrines and the difficulties faced by defendants, especially those with addiction-related charges.
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Stay Away From Felony Court! Advice I Should Have Taken?
Stay Away From Felony Court! Advice I Should Have Taken?
Early on in my former Chicago practice I was sitting one morning in misdemeanor court on West Flournoy street with a few other lawyers as we waited to have our cases called. Sitting next to me was an older lawyer…
A Lazy Detective and an Innocent Man Arrested
A Lazy Detective and an Innocent Man Arrested
I once in Chicago represented a young man arrested and charged with murder. The murder happened after a failed car jacking in the south side neighborhood of Gage Park.The entire case was a police fabrication and I knew it. How…
The Case That Couldn't Be Won…But Was
The Case That Couldn’t Be Won…But Was
This is an old blog post I wrote when I was still practicing in Chicago. This was a very unique case. I was just 40 years-old trying a career case that was like pitching game seven of The World Series…
Defendant Has The Burden to Prove Mitigating Factors in 2nd Degree Murder
I found a recent Illinois Supreme Court decision interesting. The court in People v. Manning addressed an interesting issue….whether jurors’ inability to unanimously agree upon whether a mitigating factor exists, for purposes of second-degree murder, results in a finding of…
Defendant Has The Burden to Prove Mitigating Factors in 2nd Degree Murder
I found a recent Illinois Supreme Court decision interesting. The court in People v. Manning addressed an interesting issue….whether jurors’ inability to unanimously agree upon whether a mitigating factor exists, for purposes of second-degree murder, results in a finding of…



