Have you or a loved one been charged in Illinois with either a burglary or a retail theft?  Listen to this episode.  Attorney Charles Schierer will discuss what the government will need to prove if you have been charged with entering a retail store and stealing.  On some occasions the government charges burglary.  If they do, this is a serious charge.  Far more serious than if you are charged with a retail theft.  In this episode we explore the issues surrounding these types of cases.  If you or a loved one is charged with a criminal offense, give us a call at 309-839-2024 or check us out on the web at www.srtriallawyers.com.  Schierer & Ritchie, LLC. 

Criminal Defense In Illinois

Burglary vs. Retail Theft....What is the difference?

Do you have a prior criminal record?  Ever wonder how a mistake in the past can come back to hurt you again?  This podcast explores how your past criminal actions are in the past, but they tend to show up again in several different ways.  If you or a loved one has a criminal matter, please give us a call.  We can help.  We handle matters in State and Federal Court.  You can find us online at www.srtriallawyers.com or you can call us at 309-839-2024.  Schierer & Ritchie, LLC.  

How Can Your Prior Criminal Record Can Come Back To Hurt You.

If you or a loved one is charged in Federal Court, the Federal Sentencing Guidelines will likely come into play in the case.  During this podcast, attorney Charles Schierer discusses what the Federal Sentencing Guidelines are, how the range is calculated and what it might mean for your case.  If you do not agree with the guideline range that the United States Probation Office has calculated in your Presentence Investigation Report, you may file an objection.  If there are objections to material in the Presentence Investigation Report, including the calculation of the guideline range, the Federal Judge will hear arguments on the objections at your sentencing.  The Presentence Investigation Report can then be amended.  If you or a loved one has a case in Federal Court, this is a serious matter.  You may call our office at 309-839-2024.  We can be found on the web at www.srtriallawyers.com.  

How are the Federal Sentencing Guidelines calculated and what does this range mean for my case?

In this episode we discuss what happens at a sentencing hearing.  A sentencing hearing is held if you enter a guilty plea or if you are found guilty at trial.  By listening to this podcast episode you will become informed on what you can expect as we navigate the halls of justice together.  If you are looking for information, this podcast episode will help familiarize you with the legal process.  Please be aware that this podcast should not be considered legal advice.  This is informational only, no different that reading about a law firm's services on a website.  There is nothing about this podcast that should imply an attorney-client relationship exists.  You will need to specifically retain legal services.  You should not solely rely on anything you hear on this podcast.  There is no substitute for legal advice you have received from your lawfully retained attorney.  If you want to retain this law firm, please contact us at 309-839-2024 or visit us on the web at www.srtriallawyers.com.

Convicted or plead guilty? What next? What happens at a sentencing hearing?

If your case is headed to trial, it's important to know how a trial works.  In this podcast we discuss the opening statement.  By listening to this podcast episode you will become informed on what you can expect as we navigate the halls of justice together.  If you are looking for information, this podcast episode will help familiarize you with the legal process.  Please be aware that this podcast should not be considered legal advice.  This is informational only, no different that reading about a law firm's services on a website.  There is nothing about this podcast that should imply an attorney-client relationship exists.  You will need to specifically retain legal services.  You should not solely rely on anything you hear on this podcast.  There is no substitute for legal advice you have received from your lawfully retained attorney.  If you want to retain this law firm, please contact us at 309-839-2024 or visit us on the web at www.srtriallawyers.com.

Trial 101. The Opening Statement.

Ever hear someone say they want a motion to squash or squish something?  Well, we have.  This is not entirely accurate but they have the right idea.  In this podcast, we explore the motion to suppress and how it can impact your case.  The Fourth Amendment protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures.  In this podcast we give a brief overview of some important concepts in this area.  By listening to this podcast episode you will become informed on what you can expect as we navigate the halls of justice together.  If you are looking for information, this podcast episode will help familiarize you with the legal process.  Please be aware that this podcast should not be considered legal advice.  This is informational only, no different that reading about a law firm's services on a website.  There is nothing about this podcast that should imply an attorney-client relationship exists.  You will need to specifically retain legal services.  You should not solely rely on anything you hear on this podcast.  There is no substitute for legal advice you have received from your lawfully retained attorney.  If you want to retain this law firm, please contact us at 309-839-2024 or visit us on the web at www.srtriallawyers.com.

What does it mean to be seized under the law and why does it matter?

The legal term is call "discovery".  This is the process where the government provides your lawyer with the evidence it intends to present at trial.  In this podcast we discuss the discovery process and how you will receive the evidence that the government intends to use at your trial.  The government has the burden of proving their case against.  You need to know how they intend to do that.  Can they do it?  Only with this information can you make an informed decision on how to resolve your case.  By listening to this podcast episode you will become informed on what you can expect as we navigate the halls of justice together.  If you are looking for information, this podcast episode will help familiarize you with the legal process.  Please be aware that this podcast should not be considered legal advice.  This is informational only, no different that reading about a law firm's services on a website.  There is nothing about this podcast that should imply an attorney-client relationship exists.  You will need to specifically retain legal services.  You should not solely rely on anything you hear on this podcast.  There is no substitute for legal advice you have received from your lawfully retained attorney.  If you want to retain this law firm, please contact us at 309-839-2024 or visit us on the web at www.srtriallawyers.com.

Are you entitled to see all the evidence the government intends to present at your trial?

For those in custody (inmates held at the county jail), a criminal case must go to trial in 120 days unless a few things happen, one of which is moving for a continuance.  In this podcast we cover why a lawyer might move for a continuance and what it means for when your case will be resolved or go to trial.  We will also explore how the rules are slightly different if you are not in custody (in other words, you have posted bail or where provided a notice to appear).  By listening to this podcast episode you will become informed on what you can expect as we navigate the halls of justice together.  If you are looking for information, this podcast episode will help familiarize you with the legal process.  Please be aware that this podcast should not be considered legal advice.  This is informational only, no different that reading about a law firm's services on a website.  There is nothing about this podcast that should imply an attorney-client relationship exists.  You will need to specifically retain legal services.  You should not solely rely on anything you hear on this podcast.  There is no substitute for legal advice you have received from your lawfully retained attorney.  If you want to retain this law firm, please contact us at 309-839-2024 or visit us on the web at www.srtriallawyers.com.

What does it mean to move for a continuance and when will your criminal matter go to trial?

An arraignment is a hearing held at which the court informs you of your charge and allows you to enter a plea.  Typically the plea is not guilty.  This does not mean you cannot change your plea later.  An arraignment is a hearing at the beginning of your case.  After the arraignment the evidence is provided to your lawyer.  After reviewing the evidence with your lawyer, you can then decide how to dispose of your case.  The arraignment is not the trial.  It is only the beginning.  In this podcast we discuss what you can expect to happen at your arraignment.  By listening to this podcast episode you will become informed on what you can expect as we navigate the halls of justice together.  If you are looking for information, this podcast episode will help familiarize you with the legal process.  Please be aware that this podcast should not be considered legal advice.  This is informational only, no different that reading about a law firm's services on a website.  There is nothing about this podcast that should imply an attorney-client relationship exists.  You will need to specifically retain legal services.  You should not solely rely on anything you hear on this podcast.  There is no substitute for legal advice you have received from your lawfully retained attorney.  If you want to retain this law firm, please contact us at 309-839-2024 or visit us on the web at www.srtriallawyers.com.

What happens at an arraignment?

Your case will be set before an experienced judge.  Most judges in the criminal courts previously work as either a prosecutor or criminal defense attorney or both.  If you are assigned to a judge that you believe has already made up her mind about your guilt or gives you the impression that she will not be fair to you, what are your options?  This podcast covers how you can file a motion to substitute a judge assigned to hear your case.  By listening to this podcast episode you will become informed on what you can expect as we navigate the halls of justice together.  If you are looking for information, this podcast episode will help familiarize you with the legal process.  Please be aware that this podcast should not be considered legal advice.  This is informational only, no different that reading about a law firm's services on a website.  There is nothing about this podcast that should imply an attorney-client relationship exists.  You will need to specifically retain legal services.  You should not solely rely on anything you hear on this podcast.  There is no substitute for legal advice you have received from your lawfully retained attorney.  If you want to retain this law firm, please contact us at 309-839-2024 or visit us on the web at www.srtriallawyers.com.

What can you do if you do not like the judge who is assigned to your case?

In the previous episode we covered how the bail system works in the State Court.  But what if you are charged in Federal Court?  This podcast episode covers the differences in how the federal and state systems work and what you can expect to happen.  By listening to this podcast episode you will become informed on what you can expect as we navigate the halls of justice together.  If you are looking for information, this podcast episode will help familiarize you with the legal process.  Please be aware that this podcast should not be considered legal advice.  This is informational only, no different that reading about a law firm's services on a website.  There is nothing about this podcast that should imply an attorney-client relationship exists.  You will need to specifically retain legal services.  You should not solely rely on anything you hear on this podcast.  There is no substitute for legal advice you have received from your lawfully retained attorney.  If you want to retain this law firm, please contact us at 309-839-2024 or visit us on the web at www.srtriallawyers.com.

How is bail different if you are charged in Federal Court as opposed to State Court?

If you or a loved one has been arrested, you might find yourself before a judge to set bail, which is an amount of money you pay the court to ensure your appearance at future court dates.   This podcast explores how a bail hearing works and what you can expect to happen.  By listening to this podcast episode you will become informed on what you can expect as we navigate the halls of justice together.  If you are looking for information, this podcast episode will help familiarize you with the legal process.  Please be aware that this podcast should not be considered legal advice.  This is informational only, no different that reading about a law firm's services on a website.  There is nothing about this podcast that should imply an attorney-client relationship exists.  You will need to specifically retain legal services.  You should not solely rely on anything you hear on this podcast.  There is no substitute for legal advice you have received from your lawfully retained attorney.  If you want to retain this law firm, please contact us at 309-839-2024 or visit us on the web at www.srtriallawyers.com.

What will happen at a bail hearing for a criminal offense?

This podcast discusses whether a person should go to the police department and make a statement to police.  There are times when law enforcement contacts a private citizen and asks that they come to the police department, voluntarily, and make a statement about an event.  On other occasions, a person is placed under arrest and law enforcement question them on events that might have led up to the arrest.  In this podcast we discuss the risks associated with making a statement.  By listening to this podcast episode you will become informed on what you can expect as we navigate the halls of justice together.  If you are looking for information, this podcast episode will help familiarize you with the legal process.  Please be aware that this podcast should not be considered legal advice.  This is informational only, no different that reading about a law firm's services on a website.  There is nothing about this podcast that should imply an attorney-client relationship exists.  You will need to specifically retain legal services.  You should not solely rely on anything you hear on this podcast.  There is no substitute for legal advice you have received from your lawfully retained attorney.  If you want to retain this law firm, please contact us at 309-839-2024 or visit us on the web at www.srtriallawyers.com.

Do you need to make a statement to law enforcement?

When you or a loved one is charged with a criminal offense, sometimes there are more questions than answers.  One question you might have is just how can the prosecutors convict you?  Many people who are charged with a crime are not arrested in the act of committing the crime.  Often times we are asked just how could a person be convicted if the drugs were not found in their pocket (or purse or car) or if there were no witnesses who saw them with a gun.  This podcast tries to explain the different types of evidence that can be used against you.  By listening to this podcast episode you will become informed on what you can expect as we navigate the halls of justice together.  If you are looking for information, this podcast episode will help familiarize you with the legal process.  Please be aware that this podcast should not be considered legal advice.  This is informational only, no different that reading about a law firm's services on a website.  There is nothing about this podcast that should imply an attorney-client relationship exists.  You will need to specifically retain legal services.  You should not solely rely on anything you hear on this podcast.  There is no substitute for legal advice you have received from your lawfully retained attorney.  If you want to retain this law firm, please contact us at 309-839-2024 or visit us on the web at www.srtriallawyers.com.

Want to better understand what types of evidence a prosecutor could use to prove their case against you? Listen to this episode.

You would be surprised by how people dress, act and speak at the courthouse.  Sometimes even before the judge and the prosecutors handling the case against them.  Some behavior is counterproductive.  The purpose of this podcast episode is to suggest how to present yourself in a serious professional manner.  The judge and prosecutors are watching, what will they see when you appear?  By listening to this podcast episode you will become informed on what you can expect as we navigate the halls of justice together.  If you are looking for information, this podcast episode will help familiarize you with the legal process.  Please be aware that this podcast should not be considered legal advice.  This is informational only, no different that reading about a law firm's services on a website.  There is nothing about this podcast that should imply an attorney-client relationship exists.  You will need to specifically retain legal services.  You should not solely rely on anything you hear on this podcast.  There is no substitute for legal advice you have received from your lawfully retained attorney.  If you want to retain this law firm, please contact us at 309-839-2024 or visit us on the web at www.srtriallawyers.com.

How should you dress, appear and behave at the courthouse when you appear for your criminal matter?

The East Peoria law firm of Schierer & Ritchie, LLC answers common questions and generally explains the criminal justice system in Illinois. This is neither legal advice, nor is an attorney client relationship formed by listening to this podcast. You should consult with an attorney in person. This podcast is intended to inform and supplement your knowledge of criminal law in Illinois. If you are charged with a criminal offense, please seek the advice of a criminal attorney. If you wish to retain Schierer & Ritchie, LLC for criminal defense services, please contact us at 309-839-2024.

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Criminal Defense In Illinois

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