Updates Pending ...
NOVEMBER 2013.
Delivery of a Controlled Substance and Possession with Intent to Sell. Police officers testified that they watched the defendant sell drugs to a woman out of the driver’s window of his car. Officers arrested both, searched the car, and found more drugs on the car seat. Finding of Not-Guilty on a bench trial.
OCTOBER 2013.
Domestic Battery. A young lady accused her live-in boyfriend of throwing the entry-door to their apartment open at her during a physical argument thereby striking her with the door and breaking her toe. Finding of Not-Guilty on trial.
JULY 2013.
Possession of a Controlled Substance (drugs). An officer sees several young men near a parked car. The defendant leaves them and walks into the house. His father exits the house. Officers question him. The defendant exits the house and is detained. Officers open the rear door and walk in the residence. The officers obtain a written Consent to Search from the father, who had followed them into his house. Officers search the residence and find narcotics in the defendant’s room in the attic. Motion to Quash the Search sustained on full court hearing on the basis of the warrantless, non-consensual entry of the home thereby violating the defendant’s Sixth Amendment Rights. The drugs were excluded from evidence. Case dismissed.
JULY 2013.
Woman accused of Domestic Battery, Theft, and Assault against her boyfriend and his new girlfriend. They both testified against the defendant. Finding of Not-Guilty on trial.
JUNE 2013.
Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault. Young lady accused her downstairs neighbor of sexual assault in her apartment. Evidence showed that he had visited her on previous occasions through her unlocked rear door. Found guilty of reduced charge of Simple (misdemeanor) Battery on.
MAY 2013.
Aggravated Unlawful Use (possession) of a Weapon (gun). Officers answer a call of “shots fired” outside the residence. Upon arrival officers observe shadowy figures quickly enter the residence from the backyard. Officers open the rear door and walk in the residence. They walk past the defendant’s wife who was standing at the door. The officers later obtain a written Consent to Search from her, search the residence, and find a gun in a first floor closet. The defendant is found in the basement. Motion to Quash the Search sustained on full court hearing on the basis of the warrantless, non-consensual entry of the home thereby violating the defendant’s Sixth Amendment Rights. The gun was excluded from evidence. Case dismissed.
MARCH 2013.
Possession of a Controlled Substance (drugs). Officers stop a vehicle. The defendant is driving. The vehicle contains a front and a rear seat passenger. Drugs are found between the driver’s seat and the center console. Finding of Not-Guilty on trial.
DECEMBER 2012.
Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Finding of Not-Guilty on a bench trial. The pistol was allegedly found in a vehicle occupied by the defendant and two others.
DECEMBER 2012.
Possession of a Controlled Substance (drugs) and Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Officers are searching the occupants of a parked SUV when they see a man in the gangway of the residence. The man disappears into the rear yard. Officers kick-in the back door and search the residence. At some point the officers obtain a written consent to search the residence from the defendant’s girlfriend. A pistol and drugs are found. Motion to Quash the Search sustained on full court hearing on the basis of the warrantless, non-consensual entry of the home thereby violating the defendant’s Sixth Amendment Rights. The pistol and drugs are excluded from evidence. Case dismissed.
JULY 2012.
Battery during a drunken fight. Finding of Not Guilty.
JUNE 2012.
Driving with a Revoked Driver’s License. Finding of Not Guilty.
APRIL 2012.
Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The defendant allegedly threw a pistol as he walked into an alley. Two witnesses testified for the defendant. Motion to Quash Arrest sustained on full court hearing. The pistol was excluded from evidence. Case dismissed.
MARCH 2012.
Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Finding of Not Guilty.
MARCH 2012.
Attempted Murder With a Firearm. Two men testified that the defendant shot one and shot at the other from a van. The defendant was stopped a few minutes later a few blocks away in a speeding van with the gun and a few friends. Finding of Not-Guilty.
JANUARY 2013.
Aggravated Domestic Battery. The defendant was accused of stabbing her husband in the chest collapsing his lung. Evidence at trial showed that the drunken husband tried to force sexual intercourse upon the pregnant defendant.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Ray Bendig covers an array of criminal cases ranging from DUI up to Murder and everything in between. He has appeared in several federal jurisdictions as well as all the local state, county, and branch courts. Ray will listen, prepare your case, and be there for you every step of the way in the legal process. He can often discuss your case at a location near you thus saving you the inconvenience of travelling to an out-of-the way office. As an aggressive defense attorney Ray will fight for your rights and help craft the best solution given your case situation.
What is the difference between being arrested and charged?
When a person is arrested they are handcuffed and physically driven to a police station. Prosecutors will charge the person for a crime in a court of law. Not everybody who is arrested is charged. However, you can be charged for a crime without being arrested.
What should I do if I get arrested?
First of all don’t talk to anyone until you have a lawyer present. Anything you say to law enforcement officers and detectives can be used against you in a court of law.
What should I do if the police want question me?
Just because the police want to question you does not necessarily mean you are a suspect in a crime. However, you do have the right to refuse to answer the questions and request a lawyer to serve on your behalf.
What is an arrest warrant?
A warrant is a legal document issued by a judge for the arrest of a person. The arresting officer must tell state that you have the right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present during police questioning. You will also be booked this is where your fingerprints and mug shot are taken. You will then be taken to a holding cell.
What is bail?
Bail is money or property the arrested person gives the court to ensure they will not flee and therefore show up on their court date.
What is an arraignment hearing?
An arrangement hearing is where you are formally charged of a crime in front of a judge. The defendant will then enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. It’s strongly recommended to have a lawyer represent you at your arraignment.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony charge?
A misdemeanor crime is a less severe crime such as traffic violation, vandalism, or petty theft. Felony charges are more serious and if found guilty, can result in a long prison sentence. Felony charges include but not limited to murder, rape, arson and certain assault and gun charges.
What is a bail bond card?
If you’ve been involved in a traffic violation like a speeding ticket, you may have to post bond. The bond could be cash or your drivers license. You never want to be without drivers license today especially if you travel. A bail bond card can be used instead of cash (which you may not have on you) or your drivers license.
What happens if I can’t pay my bail?
You or you criminal defense lawyer can ask the judge to lower it. If this is not possible, you may have to serve your time in jail until your trial is completed.
What is probation?
Probation is the release of a convicted offender from a jail or prison. If the person follows the terms of their probation release, they will not have to return to jail for the crime they were accused of. However, if even the slightest term of their probation was was broken, they risk the chance of returning to jail.
What is the difference between a public defender and criminal defense lawyer?
A public defender is a lawyer who is appointed by the courts to defend a person who cannot afford to hire their own attorney. A criminal defense lawyer will cost money but will provide better legal representation.
What is a plea bargain deal?
A plea bargain deal is an agreement between the prosecutor and defense attorney. It typically includes the defendant pleading guilty to lesser charges thus avoiding a trial and the chance of being found guilty of more serious charges.
Why should I hire Ray Bendig as my criminal defense lawyer?
Ray Bendig is a highly experienced attorney who has been practicing criminal law in the Chicago area since 1988. He will listen, prepare your case and be there for you during the legal process. During his time as a criminal defense attorney, he has successfully defended hundreds of cases and has a thorough understanding of the Illinois criminal law legal system.
What are your rates?
Bendig Criminal law charges by the hour or by the outcome of the case . We accept cash, credit cards and have payment plans available.
Bendig Law
RAYMOND G. BENDIG ATTORNEY AT LAW
