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 a ..read more

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.   ..read more

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 r ..read more

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.   ..read more

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 podc ..read more

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 informat ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 arraignmen ..read more

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.  I ..read more