Individuals pleading guilty due to sentence-related coercion

On behalf of Law Office of Steven Haney posted in Drug Crimes on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 A report recently released by Human Rights Watch indicates that the Justice System regularly engages in coercion of federal drug defendants. Specifically, the report alleges that individuals arrested on charges of federal drug crimes are coerced into entering guilty pleas by various methods. Among the methods of coercion used by the Justice Department are threats of stacking charges against the defendants in order to increase potential incarcerationContinue reading

The Death of Brian Nelson

By Steve Haney posted in Sentence and Punishment on Monday, January 27, 2014 The death of Brian Nelson is a paradox that defines the word.  Brian Nelson is a former client of mine who was sentenced to death after being convicted by a Will County, Illinois jury of the brutal multiple murder of his former girlfriend, her brother, father and father’s girlfriend. Brian was convicted of entering the home of his former girlfriend and brutally murdering her in a jealous rage. Also atContinue reading

Court Mandated Drug Testing

By Steve Haney on Sunday, January 26, 2014 Court mandated drug testing for drug crimes is the norm in the jurisdiction where I practice, which is Joliet, Will County, Illinois.  A handful of years ago, it did not exist.  It has evolved to the point where ANYONE charged with a drug related offense will be required to mandatory drug test.  A positive test results in immediate incarceration.  An incarceration that, typically, lasts until a clean test occurs. Science dicates who statisically fallsContinue reading

In Squad Video – Advantage Defendant?

By Steve Haney posted in DUI on Saturday, January 25, 2014 Video equipped squad cars have become the norm.  More often than not, a dui arrest will be captured on a squad’s video camera.  Usually, the camera captures audio as well. Rarely, does the narrative of the police report match the actual event as witnessed through a camera lens and microphone.  A police officer’s narrative police report is his/her version of the encounter and, of course, written from a subjective point ofContinue reading