Just because you were convicted of a crime doesn’t mean that your conviction must forever haunt employment background checks, stop you from becoming a U.S. citizen or remain a deportation threat.
There is no reason to let a youthful mistake, misunderstanding, past criminal record—or especially a criminal identity theft—be a barrier to future opportunities. Many options of post-conviction relief are available to help you, even after you have served time, finished probation, or paid your fines. Relief is critical for clearing the records of victims of criminal identity theft.
Through post-conviction proceedings, the Law Offices of Jonathan Minkus can attempt to lessen the negative consequences of having been convicted of a crime. Your background may be used against you in rental matters, employment and education opportunities, by Immigration and Naturalization—and even socially.
While it is true that all murders are considered homicides, it is also true that not all homicides are considered murder. Murder is reserved for a certain class of offenses that requires malicious forethought and the intent to harm, while manslaughter is defined by either a sudden rage or a lack of intent. In this article, we will discuss the differences between them.
Involuntary manslaughter is defined by the unintentional taking of another person’s life. However, not all unintended acts that result in death rise to the standard of manslaughter. In order to be considered involuntary manslaughter, the person must behave recklessly and with a wanton disregard for the safety of others.
The most common reason that an individual is charged with involuntary manslaughter is that he or she killed someone while driving under the influence of alcohol. In this case, they knew that their actions could potentially harm another person, but did it anyway.
Depending on the circumstances, involuntary manslaughter can be charged as either a third or second-degree felony. Aggravating factors may include:
Unlike many other states, Illinois only kind of recognizes voluntary manslaughter as a charge. Usually considered a “crime of passion,” voluntary manslaughter in Illinois can only be applied to unborn children. In order to be convicted of voluntary manslaughter, the prosecution must show that the defendant either intentionally or negligently harmed a woman, causing her to lose her baby. Voluntary manslaughter is a class 1 felony.
Second-degree murder occurs when an individual intends to kill or cause bodily harm to another person or takes some action that creates a strong possibility that another person will be killed. The prosecutor must prove that the defendant intended to seriously harm the individual or knew that their actions would create a strong possibility of killing the individual. Since second-degree murder requires intent, a defendant may claim a lack of intent as a defense. Second-degree murder is a class 1 felony.
Most homicide defendants are charged with first-degree murder. The major difference between first and second-degree murder is mitigating circumstances that warrant a lesser charge. Premeditation does not define first-degree murder in Illinois. However, if a defendant was severely provoked by a victim, that may be cause to charge second as opposed to first-degree murder. While Illinois is no longer a death-penalty state, defendants can be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
The Law Office of Jonathan Minkus has experience defending criminal defendants from homicide charges. If you have been charged with homicide, you need an attorney to try your case. Give us a call or contact us online to discuss your options.
My wife and I have tried 3 times for her green card and was rejected three times because of some trouble she was accused of before she spoke English. I asked another Lawyer is there anything we can do and she referred us to Jonathan Minkus. We meet with Jonathan and said he might be able to help us but it would be difficult. Jonathan...
Jonathan helped me to vacate two of charges against me, and both of them are successfully vacated. I had a very good experience working with Jonathan and he is a very kind person and very considerate. I would like to highly recommend someone that has same situation as me to go get help form Jonathan.
For 6 years my wife and I tried to receive our Green Card. After being declined 3 times, I asked our immigration lawyer is there anyway to correct some legal issues my wife fell into before she learned to speak English. We were referred to Jonathan and he has done miracles in clearing her name so we finally have a chance at receiving our Green...
Jonathan is not only a brilliant attorney but he is a genuinely good human being. A petty misdemeanor mistake was holding back our immigration process. We came to him seeking options and hope. Upon meeting Jonathan during our initial consultation, his overwhelming knowledge, positivity and kindness were on full display and we immediately felt hope again. I know in my heart Jonathan deeply cares for...
I highly recommend his services.
Jonathan was the only one willing to help my husband and me during a tough time. My husband was facing deportation and had no chance to beat his case unless Jonathan was able to vacate a previous conviction. Jonathan was persistent and genuinely advocated for my husband and family. Jonathan was able to vacate the 12-year-old conviction with DuPage County, giving us a fighting chance...
I hired Mr. Jonathan Minkus for a criminal drug conviction which I needed removed off of my record that I had pled guilty to over 7 years ago. Without going into too much detail about the difficulty of my case, I would just like to emphasize how difficult it is to convince a Judge 7 years after pleading guilty to drop a charge. Well, Jonathan...
Mr. Minkus did extremely good work on my difficult criminal case for Resisting Arrest . Also he help me save my Commercial Driver License for Agrivated speeding. That means he save my job and my income. This is High Class Lawyer and I would recommended This Lawyer to anyone with deep trouble . Thank You again mr Minkus.
I was wrongfully advised by an immigration lawyer to expunge my criminal record that consisted of a drug related charge in order to apply for residency. My wife and I quickly found out this was not true and were referred by two different lawyers (who did not know one another) to contact Mr. Minkus. We were without hope and filled with stress.
I almost never write reviews and when Mr. Minkus just finished representing my brother and I looked for him online I felt like I had to write this. Yes, he is not the cheapest lawyer around but he did exactly what he said he would do. My brother was being deported and we were sent to Mr. Minkus to try and fix his criminal record.
I hired Mr. Minkus a month ago after a convoluted incident that left me with criminal trespass and criminal damage to property, possibly pending a burglary charge. The confessions I had written and the police notes that were taken while I was in custody painted a very bad portrait of me and the system likely would have given me a severe sentence if not for
My experience with mr. Minkus was outstanding. Mr.Minkus really help me with difficult criminal case for Resisting Arrest and extremely bad traffic ticket for agrivated speeding . I would recommend this lawyer to anyone who are in deep trouble. I would love to say again THANK YOU mr Minkus for Excellent work on my case.
I had a conviction in my record that affect my ability to get my citizenship. Mr Johnatan came highly recommend from my immigration attorney and he was right. Mr Minkus went out of his way to get my conviction changed to the level that won't affect me anymore. I highly recommend his services.
Senior Partner Jonathan Minkus has successfully defended individuals charged with every conceivable criminal offense, from traffic misdemeanors to death-penalty eligible homicides.
Wisconsin Office
P.O. Box 16
Twin Lakes, WI 53181
5225 Old Orchard Rd.
Ste. 23B
Skokie, IL 60077
200 W. Adams St.
Ste. 2211
Chicago, IL 60606
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