Successful Case Victories
Whether dealing with misdemeanors, felonies, or intricate legal negotiations, the below results speak volumes about Attorney Richard Fenbert’s dedication and legal acumen.
RECENT JURY AND BENCH TRIAL WINS
People v. D.S.
Charged as a Repeat Gun Offender (Class X, 6–30 years @ 85%) and Possession with Intent to Deliver (Class 1, 4–15 years @ 50%), the stakes were enormous. The State offered 7 years IDOC –rejected.
At trial, the prosecution relied on an officer’s claim that he saw the defendant discard a firearm. But the body-worn camera told a different story – it captured no such act. Despite the recovery of 23 individually packaged bags of cocaine, the defense focused the jury on what mattered: the absence of reliable proof tying the defendant to the gun. JURY NOT GUILTY on all charges.
People v. A.C.
A postal worker facing a battery charge – and with it, certain job termination upon conviction. The State’s evidence seemed devastating: a secret recording in which the defendant allegedly said, “I am guilty, guilty as charged.” The jury heard it. But context matters. And credibility matters more. JURY NOT GUILTY.
People v. H.G.
A DUI case with difficult optics: alleged traffic violations, refusal to exit the vehicle, officers ultimately breaking windows to extract the defendant, and beer cans found inside. The State relied heavily on behavior and circumstances. The defense focused on proof beyond a reasonable doubt. BENCH TRIAL NOT GUILTY.
People v. D.H.
Charged with Attempted Murder with a Firearm (31–45 years), Aggravated Discharge (4–14 years), and UUW by a Felon (3–7 years). No plea offer. Trial was the only path.
The State presented:
- An eyewitness identification
- Shell casings recovered at the scene
- A forensic link between one casing and the defendant’s firearm
But the evidence didn’t tell a complete story. Multiple casings. Gaps in the timeline. And a witness whose credibility did not withstand cross-examination. The defense reframed the case: possibility is not proof. BENCH TRIAL NOT GUILTY of Attempted Murder and Aggravated Discharge. On the remaining UUW count, the Court imposed 4.5 years, with the defendant
People v. L.S.
Charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, the State alleged the defendant possessed an assault-style rifle and over 10,000 rounds of ammunition. Despite the serious allegations – and no reasonable offer from the prosecution – the defense took the case to trial and forced the State to meet its burden. JURY TRIAL NOT GUILTY.
People v. L.T.
Facing charges of Armed Habitual Criminal and Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, the defendant was exposed to significant prison time. Police claimed to recover a loaded firearm beneath the front passenger seat during a traffic stop. The defense challenged the connection between the defendant and the weapon – reminding the jury that presence is not possession. JURY TRIAL NOT GUILTY.
People v. A.F.
Charged with Attempted Kidnapping and other serious felonies, the case carried life-altering consequences. The defense presented compelling evidence regarding the defendant’s mental state at the time of the incident. NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY (NGRI).
People v. M.J.
Charged after a search warrant execution at her home, the defendant faced a felony drug case. The State offered Second Chance Probation – rejected. The defense held the State to its burden and exposed the weaknesses in the case. BENCH TRIAL NOT GUILTY.
People v. S.G.
A DUI case arising from a crash, complicated by a prior DUI – making the defendant ineligible for court supervision. Despite the circumstances, the defense focused the case where it belongs: proof beyond a reasonable doubt. BENCH TRIAL NOT GUILTY on all charges.
People v. I.B.
Charged with DUI (alcohol and drugs) after alleged traffic infractions – while on federal supervised release. The stakes were exceptionally high. The defense dismantled the State’s case at trial. BENCH TRIAL NOT GUILTY of all DUI charges.
People v. LS
Defendant was charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapon. Defendant allegedly possessed an Assault Rifle and over 10,000 rounds of ammunition. The prosecutor did not make a reasonable offer to resolve the case. Defendant found Not Guilty.
People v. LT
Defendant was charged with Armed Habitual Criminal and Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon. After a traffic stop police found a loaded firearm underneath LS’s front passenger seat. Defendant found Not Guilty.
People v. AF
Defendant was charged with Attempted Kidnapping and various other serious felonies. Defendant found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI).
People v. MJ
Defendant charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance arising from a search warrant of her residence. The Defendant rejected an offer of Second Chance Probation. Defendant found Not Guilty.
People v. SG
Defendant was charged with DUI. Officers responded to crashed vehicle. Defendant has a prior DUI and was not eligible for Court Supervision. After trial, the Judge found the Defendant not guilty of all charges.
People v. IB
charged with DUI. Officers observed several traffic infractions. Defendant was charged with DUI (drugs) and DUI (alcohol). Defendant was on Federal Supervised Release at the time of the arrest. After trial, Defendant was found not guilty of all DUI charges.
RECENT PRELIMINARY HEARING WINS
People v. J.M.
Charged with Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (no FOID). At the preliminary hearing, the defense argued the State failed to establish knowledge or control over the weapon. NO PROBABLE CAUSE. Case dismissed.
People v. S.D.
Charged with Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (no CCL). The defense demonstrated the firearm was not immediately accessible, defeating probable cause. NO PROBABLE CAUSE. Case dismissed.
People v. C.C.
Charged with Possession of Cannabis following a traffic stop. The State could not connect the defendant to the recovered cannabis. NO PROBABLE CAUSE. Case dismissed.
People v. JM
Defendant was charged with Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Firearm without a FOID. During the preliminary hearing, Defendant’s counsel argued that the State had even met the burden of probable cause that the Defendant had either the knowledge or the control over the firearm. Judge agreed and made a finding of No Probable Cause. Case Dismissed.
People v. SD
Defendant was charged with Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Firearm without a CCL. During the preliminary hearing, Defendant’s counsel argued that the weapon was not immediately accessible. The Judge agreed and made a finding of no probable cause. Case Dismissed.
People v. CC
Defendant was charged with Possession of Cannabis. During the preliminary hearing, Defendant’s counsel argued that the officer could not link the Defendant to the cannabis recovered after a traffic stop. Judge agreed and made a finding of no probable cause. Case Dismissed.
RECENT MOTION WINS
People v. S.K.
Charged with Armed Habitual Criminal (6–30 years). The defense filed a Motion to Suppress, challenging the legality of the stop and seizure. MOTION GRANTED. Case dismissed.
People v. G.R.
Charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver (Cocaine). The State offered 4 years in prison. Police conducted a warrantless search of a residence following a domestic call. MOTION GRANTED. Case dismissed.
People v. R.N.
A CDL driver charged with DUI – risking his livelihood and ability to support his family. The defense demanded trial and enforced the defendant’s constitutional rights. Case dismissed on speedy trial grounds.
People v. D.D.
Charged with DUI, the defendant needed his license to work. The defense filed a Petition to Rescind –arguing the officer lacked reasonable suspicion for the stop. Petition granted. Case dismissed.
People v. M.B.
Charged with Armed Robbery (21–45 years) based on a show-up identification. The defense exposed the procedure as unduly suggestive. Identification suppressed. Case dismissed.
People v. M.T.
Charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. The State offered four years in prison. The defense filed a Motion to Dismiss the Indictment. Motion granted. Case dismissed.
People v. H.C.
Charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) after a traffic stop and search based on alleged odor of cannabis. Motion to Suppress granted. Case dismissed.
People v. SK
Defendant was charged with Armed Habitual Criminal. Defendant faced 6-30 years in prison. Defendant was standing outside of his friend’s home when officers suspected he had a firearm. Defendant’s counsel filed a Motion to Suppress. Judge granted the motion. Case dismissed.
People v. GR
Defendant was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (Cocaine). The State offered 4 years in prison. Officers responded to a 9-1-1 call about a domestic disturbance and executed a search of the residence without a warrant. Judge granted motion to suppress. Case dismissed.
People v. RN
Defendant is a commercial (CDL) truck driver and was charged with a DUI. Defendant drive a truck for a living and need to support himself and family. Defendant demanded trial and case dismissed for speedy trial violation.
People v. DD
Defendant was charged with DUI. Defendant worked and needed his driver’s license to support his family. Judge granted Defendant’s Petition to Rescind the Statutory Summary Suspension citing that the officer did not have reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle. Case dismissed.
People v. MB
Defendant was charged with Armed Robbery based on a Show Up Line Up. Defendant was facing 21-45 years in prison and had a prior Armed Robbery in his background. Defendant filed a Motion to Suppress the Show Up Line Up as unduly suggestive. Judge granted Motion to Suppress Line Up. Case Dismissed.
People v. MT
Defendant was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. Defendant’s counsel filed a Motion to Dismiss the Indictment. The State offered 4 years in prison to resolve the case. Judge granted the Defendant’s Motion. Case Dismissed.
People v. HC
Defendant was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (cocaine). Defendant’s vehicle was stopped for a minor traffic stop and searched due to the odor of burnt cannabis. Defendant filed a Motion to Suppress. Judge granted the Defendant’s motion. Case Dismissed.
RECENT PLEA DEALS
People v. D.C.
Facing Felony Criminal Sexual Assault – with potential prison and lifetime sex offender registration. Reduced to misdemeanor Battery. Probation. No registration.
People v. C.C.
Charged with Possession of a Machine Gun (6–30 years). First Offender Weapons Probation. No criminal record upon completion.
People v. G.M.
Charged with Home Invasion with a firearm. Reduced to Residential Burglary. TASC Probation. No record upon completion.
People v. T.N.
Charged with DUI after a crash, with a prior conviction making him ineligible for supervision. Reduced to Reckless Driving – preserving his license and ability to work.
People v. J.S.
Facing Murder, UUW by a Felon, and Drug Charges. Negotiated plea to Conspiracy to Commit Murder. 13-year sentence at 50%, with substantial credit – resulting in significantly reduced actual time served.
People v. DC
Defendant was charged with two counts of felony Criminal Sexual Assault. A conviction would carry a sentence of lifetime sex offender registration and prison. After negotiations, the prosecutor agreed to reduce the charge to misdemeanor Battery with probation and no sex offender registration.
People v. CC
Defendant was charged with possession of Machine Gun which carries 6-30 years in prison. After negotiations, the prosecutor agreed to First Offender Weapons Probation. If the Defendant completes the program successfully, he will not have a criminal record.
People v. GM
Defendant was charged with Home Invasion with a firearm. After negotiations, Defendant pled guilty to Residential Burglary and received TASC Probation. If Defendant completes the TASC Probation successfully, he will not a have a criminal record.
People v. TN
Defendant was charged with a DUI and crashed his vehicle. Defendant had a prior DUI making him ineligible for Court Supervision. After negotiations, the prosecutor agreed to amend the DUI to Reckless Driving ensuring that he could continue work, avoid a revoked license, and provide for his family.
People v. JS
Defendant was charged with three separate cases: Murder, Unlawful Possession of Firearm by a Felon, and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver. After negotiations, Defendant pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Murder and sentenced to 13 years at 50 percent. Defendant will likely serve less than 3 years given his time in custody and credit for substance abuse programs.
RECENT DEFERRED PROSECUTION AGREEMENTS
People v. V.G.
Charged after bringing a firearm into O’Hare Airport. Case dismissed after completion of community service.
People v. Z.M.
Charged with Manufacture/Delivery and Possession of Psilocybin. Case dismissed after substance abuse evaluation.
People v. J.I.
Charged with Theft involving $5,000 from an airline passenger. Case dismissed after completion of a behavioral program. No restitution required.
U.S. v. F.M.
An enlisted U.S. Navy serviceman charged with DUI on federal property. Deferred prosecution agreement. Case dismissed.
People v. VG
Defendant was charged with Violating her Concealed Carry License. Defendant forgot her loaded firearm inside of her bag when entering O’Hare Airport. After negotiations, the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the charge upon completion of community service.
People v. ZM
Defendant was charged with Manufacture/Delivery and Possession of a Controlled Substance (Psilocybin aka Mushrooms). After negotiations, the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the charges upon completion of a Substance Abuse/Dependency Evaluation.
People v. JI
Defendant was charged with Theft. Defendant allegedly stole an airplane passenger’s bag containing $5,000 in cash. After negotiations, Defendant entered into a behavioral modification course, did not have to pay restitution, and the case was dismissed.
U.S. v. FM
Defendant – an enlisted US Navy serviceman – was charged with a DUI and the case was transferred to the Northern District of Illinois since it occurred on federal land. After negotiations, the defendant entered into a deferred prosecution agreement resulting in a dismissal.