Obama Administration Seeks To Limit Miranda Warnings For Suspected Terrorists

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has indicated that the Obama Administration will be asking Congress to pass legislation that would allow law enforcement personnel to question suspected terrorists for a longer time before informing them of their Miranda rights.  The Supreme Court has consistently stated that law enforcement personnel cannot use statements made by criminal defendants unless they were first informed of their right to remain silent, being informed that any statements they make can be used against them in court, and that they have a right to an attorney prior to questioning.  In 1994, the Supreme Court carved out a "public safety exception" which allows law enforcement personnel to question a suspect before informing them of their Miranda rights if there is an immediate risk to public safety.  Holder seems to believe that a similar exception needs to be explicitly stated in the law to apply to terrorism suspects.

Advocates of this position do not understand that Miranda does not convey any rights.  The United States Constitution conveys the rights enunciated in Miranda.  The rights set forth in Miranda are rights granted in the constitution to any person.  As long as the suspect is a human being, they have the rights set forth in Miranda.  Whether they are U.S. citizens or terrorists is irrelevant to the constitution.  The Miranda decision only provides that in order for any statements to be used in court, the prosecution must be able to show that the suspect was informed of those rights.  By reading a suspect their Miranda rights, the police are insuring that they will be able to get a conviction.  Rather than being criticized for reading a suspect their Miranda rights, law enforcement personnel should be congratulated for doing everything they can to insure that they obtain a conviction.  The grandstanding by politicians on both sides of the political aisle shows their complete lack of understanding of constitutional law.

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.thelegaldefenders.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.

Over 4,000 Guns Removed From Streets This Weekend

The Chicago police are reporting that their program to reward the turning in of a weapon in exchange for a gift card was a tremendous success.  In exchange for turning in a weapon, with no questions asked, people were given a gift card for up to $100 depending on the type of weapon turned in.  St. Sabina Church, on the  South Side, gave an extra $50 for an assault weapon.  Chicago police report that a total of $4,050 weapons were turned in on Saturday.  55 were assault weapons, 3,335 were handguns, and 660 were toy guns and fake guns.  Even 2 hand grenades were turned in.  Some of the weapons turned in could pierce bulletproof vests.  The program is now in its 6th year and has been credited for removing thousands of weapons from the street. 

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.thelegaldefenders.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295,

Chicago Crime Rate Drops Again

The Chicago Police are reporting that the crime rate in Chicago has dropped again.  Overall, crime is down 6.9 percent.  This is the 16th consecutive year that the crime rate has dropped in Chicago.  However, murders and vehicle thefts increased over last year.  Murders increased 8 percent from January 1 to April 30 of this year.  There have been a total of 127 murders, which is three more than this time last year.  The vast majority of murders involved the use of guns.  All the more reason that the elimination of guns from the streets will lead to the reduction of crime.  Criminal sexual assaults, robberies, arson and aggravated batteries dropped anywhere from 5 to 20 percent.  

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.thelegaldefenders.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.

Chicago Police Offering Money For Guns

Today, the Chicago Police are offering up to $100 for each gun turned in at 22 locations throughout the city.  For a list of locations click here. Police will be giving people a prepaid credit card for each gun turned in.  All guns turned in will be destroyed and the police have promised not to ask any questions about the guns or the people who are turning in the guns.  The police will pay $100 for each assault weapon, $75 for each handgun, $10 for BB guns, air guns and replica guns.  Guns can always be turned in to any police station but the money will only paid today.

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.thelegaldefenders.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.

District of Columbia Approves Medical Marijuana

The District of Columbia Council approved medical marijuana for Washington, D.C.  The vote was 13 to 0.  The measure permits the mayor to set up eight dispensaries where patients can receive up to two ounces of marijuana per month.  Washington, D.C., has been at the forefront of pushing for the legalization of medical marijuana even though it is not available in the district.  In 1998, sixty-nine percent of voters approved a ballot to legalize medical marijuana.  However, Congress barred them from implementing the program.  Public approval of legalizing medical marijuana is very high.  In a recent Associated Press-CNBC poll, roughly two-thirds of those polled supported the legalization of medical marijuana.  

The bill now goes to the mayor for his expected approval.  The measure is then sent to Congress and the White House which have 30 days to approve or block the measure.  The block the measure, both the House and Senate must pass a joint resolution and the President must sign it.

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.thelegaldefenders.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.

Cook County Board To Consider Installing Red Light Cameras

Today, the Cook County Board will consider a contract that would lead to the installation of up to 30 red light cameras at 20 "accident-prone intersections."  American Traffic Solutions and RedSpeed Illinois would be given the contract to install the cameras.  The County is expecting to make a lot of revenue off of the cameras.  Each ticket issue will carry a $100 fine.  In an interesting note, American Traffic Solutions is based out of Scottsdale Arizona.  Commissioners Edwin Reyes and Joseph Mario Moreno are pushing for a measure that would bar Cook County from doing business with any Arizona based companies.  

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.thelegaldefenders.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.

Feds Arrest 600 Illegals With Criminal Convictions

The Department of Homeland Security has announced that they just concluded a 3 day sweep in which about 600 illegal aliens with criminal convictions were arrested.  Most of the illegal aliens arrested will be deported but 22 of them may be prosecuted for illegally entering the United States after they were deported.  Most of the arrests were made in Atlanta, Florida and Puerto Rico.  Those arrested came from over 60 different countries.  All, except for 24 of those arrested, had not been turned over to immigration officials when they were released from prison.  Immigration and Customs Enforcement estimates that at least 1 million illegal aliens with criminal convictions are currently in the United States.

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.thelegaldefenders.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.