Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Fraud:
In criminal law, fraud is the crime or offense of deliberately deceiving another in order to damage them — usually, to obtain property or services from him or her unjustly.  Fraud can be accomplished through the aid of forged objects. In the criminal law of common law jurisdictions it may be called "theft by deception," "larceny by trick," "larceny by fraud and deception" or something similar. Fraud can be committed through many methods including mail, wire, phone and the internet.

Fraud is a serious charge that can result in serious consequences. Contact Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer Laurence Bolon as soon as possible.

Domestic Violence:
Domestic violence is any physical, emotional, sexual or other violence that takes place between people who may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating. Domestic violence can be criminal and include physical assault: hitting, pushing and shoving, etc., sexual abuse: unwanted or forced sexual activity, and stalking. Domestic violence charges can have a serious impact on your life.

Felony Crimes:
Felony Crimes involve drug and narcotics charges, arson, burglary, armed robbery, murder and/or attempted murder, rape and/or sexual assault, kidnapping and aggravated assault and battery and many other offenses for which the possible punishment is at least one year in prison. A felony conviction is a serious matter that can result in a substantial state prison sentence and the potential loss of certain privileges and Constitutional rights of U.S. citizenship, such as the right to possess a firearm or the right to vote.

Misdemeanors:
Misdemeanors are more serious than petty offenses, but much less serious than felonies. Misdemeanors typically result in imposition of such punishments as a fine or a jail sentence not exceeding a year. If a jail sentence is imposed, it is served at a local, city or county jail rather than a state or federal prison (penitentiary). In many jurisdictions and in certain types of cases defendants who can't afford an attorney are not entitled to a court-appointed attorney in a misdemeanor case. Unlike felonies, misdemeanors are usually handled by special courts with abbreviated procedures, such as a city court or municipal court.

Serious Violent Crimes and Murder:
By definition, a violent crime is a behavior by persons, against persons or property that intentionally threatens, attempts or actually inflicts physical harm. The seriousness of the injuries to the victim(s), whether or not guns or other weapons were used and/or whether or not the alleged perpetrator has a criminal record will determine the seriousness of the charge. Most violent crimes are considered felonies and are subject to be considered a "strike" in a state that has adopted three strikes laws. Violent criminal charges can include: aggravated assault, arson, assault and battery, domestic violence, hate crimes, homicide, larceny, rape, manslaughter, mayhem and murder.

One of the most serious areas of violent crime is homicide - killing a person, whether lawfully or unlawfully. Justifiable homicide and excusable homicide are lawful homicides, while criminal homicide, negligent homicide, reckless homicide and vehicular homicide are unlawful homicides. Unlawful homicide comprises the two crimes of murder and manslaughter.

DUI/Driving Under the Influence:
"DUI" stands for Driving under the Influence and occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension or revocation substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, incarceration and the installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, a DUI conviction stays on a DMV record and it typically results in higher insurance premiums.  Plus, a DUI could also jeopardize your employment opportunities.

However, if someone was injured as a result of the drunken driving accident, it is possible the defendant will be charged with a felony (and if the victim dies, the driver may be charged with vehicular manslaughter). Further, a DUI charge may be raised to a felony if  the driver  is a repeat offender.

White Collar Crimes:
High-tech professionals, corporate executives and clergy who are criminally charged for offenses such as corporate theft, counterfeiting, embezzlement, forgery, hacking, fraud, tax evasion or bad checks are often referred to as "white collar" offenders and are prosecuted for white collar crimes. In some cases, first-time offenders are convicted and sent to prison, even with no prior criminal history. An arrest and conviction for one of these crimes can have a serious impact on your life.

Appellate and Post Conviction:
In an appeal, an appellate court reviews the record of the pre-trial and trial proceedings for legal errors. The record includes the court file, the court reporter's transcript and the evidence and exhibits introduced in the trial court. In general, an appellate court does not consider information that is not contained in the record.

A post-conviction petition is the general name for what is called a "collateral attack" on a conviction. In federal court, they are called habeas corpus petitions. By using a post-conviction petition, a defendant generally can bring evidence before the reviewing court that was not part of the record on appeal, and in this way raise issues that would otherwise not be reviewed.

Sex Crimes:
Sex crimes can include such charges as: Child Abuse, Child Pornography, Date Rape, Failure to register (as a Sex Offender), Indecent Exposure, Internet Porn, Lewd Conduct, Marital Rape, Molestation, Obscenity, Pedophilia, Pornography, Prostitution, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Sodomy and Statutory Rape. Many sex crimes are considered felonies and require convicted defendants to continually register themselves as publicly recognized sex offenders with the local and state authorities where they live and work. Charges of sexual misconduct carry extremely serious penalties and these crimes are commonly punished more severely than any other crime except murder. Sexual misconduct is seldom witnessed by anyone other than the accuser and accused and the risk of conviction of an innocent person is drastically higher in these cases.

Drugs and Narcotics Charges:
Drugs and Narcotics laws have tried to keep up with the changing perceptions and real dangers of substance abuse. By 1970, over 55 federal drug laws and countless state laws specified a variety of punitive measures, including life imprisonment and even the death penalty. To clarify the situation, the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 repealed, replaced, or updated all previous federal laws concerned with narcotics and all other dangerous drugs.

Most states have laws that give different treatment to possession of different categories of drugs (i.e. prescription drugs, marijuana, crystal methamphetamine), and also make a distinction in the offense charged as to whether a small amount of the drug was found with the defendant (personal use) or a larger amount (intent to sell or distribute, trafficking). A conviction on a drug charge of any magnitude, even a small amount of marijuana, can seriously affect your present and future employment chances, your education, your reputation and your freedom.

If you or someone you know needs the skilled legal representation of an experienced Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer, call Laurence Bolon today at 866-435-2771, or complete the contact form provided on this site to arrange for a free consultation.

Professional Profile

Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer Laurence J. Bolon has extensive experience representing individuals in Federal and State felony, misdemeanor, drug, DUI and appeals cases.  After graduating from law school, Attorney Bolon served as Cook County Assistant State's Attorney from 1969 to 1977.  Mr. Bolon served as Chief of Criminal Appeals for almost 3 years and more than 4 years in the felony trial division, including service as the supervisor of the felony trial division at the Daley Center.

Attorney Bolon was a former instructor in Appellate Advocacy at Loyola University School of Law and has participated as an author and speaker at continuing legal education programs for lawyers.  He has lectured on various aspects of criminal law, such as “Case Preparation and Courtroom Procedures”, “Criminal Defense Skills Course”, “Arson and Problems Involved in the Prosecution of Arson Cases”, “Taking Pleas of Guilty”,  “How to Interview A Witness”, “Lineup Identification”,  “Direct Examination and The Case in Chief”, “Search and Seizure,” “Motion Practice in the Illinois Appellate and Supreme Courts” and the “Rules of Discovery."

Mr. Bolon was a member of the Cook County Juvenile Court Delinquency Rules Committee to draft uniform orders and was the originator and co-drafter of changes to § 2-1001 of the Code of Civil Procedure-Substitution of Judge Statute.  He has been actively involved in civic affairs and was Chairman of the Salvation Army Corrrectional Sevices Advisory Council (of Chicago) for over twenty years.

Throughout Chicago, Attorney Laurence Bolon is known for creating and maintaining close personal relationships with his clients and prides himself on always being accessible and working around his clients' schedules. He appreciates the importance of each of his clients and provides the personal care and attention they deserve. Clients are kept apprised of the progress being made on their cases and phone calls are returned in a timely manner.

If you or someone you know needs the assistance of an experienced Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer, please call Laurence J. Bolon today at 866-435-2771, or complete the contact form provided on this site to arrange for a free consultation.

FIRM ADDRESS:
The Law Offices of Laurence J. Bolon
19 South La Salle Street, Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 866-435-2771
Hours: M-F, 8:00AM-5:00PM

MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:

• Laurence J. Bolon

EDUCATION:

• Law School: John Marshall Law School, J.D., 1969
• College: University of Illinois, B.S., Psychology, 1965

COURTS ADMITTED:

• 1969, Illinois and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
• 1970, U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit
• 1977, U.S. Supreme Court
• 2000, U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

• Illinois State Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• Northwest Suburban Bar Association
• Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association
• Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Past Chair of Continuing Legal Education Committee and the Civil Practice Committee of the Chicago Bar Association.

PUBLICATIONS:

• Illinois and Federal Appellate Procedure, Ill. App. Lawyers Assn., October, 1975

PRACTICE AREAS:

• Criminal Defense
• Felony & Misdemeanor Crime, including:
  • Armed Robbery
  • Arson
  • Assault
  • Burglary
  • Domestic Violence
  • Kidnapping
  • Theft (including by fraud or by contractor)
• White Collar Crime
• Drug Offenses, including:
  • Trafficking
  • Manufacturing
  • Possession
• Guns & Weapons Violations
• Homicide
• Sex Crimes, including:
  • Sexual Assault
  • Date Rape
  • Indecent Exposure
• Driving under the Influence (DUI)  
• Domestic Violence