What Is Asset Forfeiture, and How Does It Apply to Businesses?

Asset forfeiture is the process by which the government takes property it claims is linked to criminal activity. It can apply to cash, vehicles, real estate, and business assets. That includes equipment, inventory, bank accounts, and, in some cases, the business itself.]]> Criminal Defense 2026-03-16 00:00:00 https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/what-is-reckless-homicide-in-illinois https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/what-is-reckless-homicide-in-illinois Reckless homicide is one of the most serious criminal charges that can come out of a car accident. It doesn't require intent. You don't have to have meant to hurt anyone. However, if someone dies because of the way you were driving, Illinois law can treat that as a felony.

If you or someone you love is facing a charge of reckless homicide in 2026, our Waukegan, IL reckless homicide lawyer can help you understand what you're up against and what options are available.

How Does Illinois Law Define Reckless Homicide?

Under 720 ILCS 5/9-3, reckless homicide occurs when a person unintentionally kills someone while driving a motor vehicle in a way that is likely to cause death or great bodily harm. The key term is unintentional. Unlike murder, the state doesn't have to prove you meant to kill anyone.]]> Violent Crimes 2026-02-28 00:00:00 https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/can-you-get-removed-from-the-illinois-sex-offender-registry https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/can-you-get-removed-from-the-illinois-sex-offender-registry Being on the sex offender registry in 2026 affects nearly every part of your life. It impacts where you can live, what jobs you can get, and how your neighbors see you. According to groups like groups tracking this data, there are over 30,000 registered sex offenders in Illinois. Many of the people on this list want to know if they can ever clear their names and move forward with their lives.

Illinois law allows some people to petition the court to have their names removed from the sex offender registry, but the process is complicated and not everyone qualifies. Whether you are eligible depends on a few things:

• The specific crime you were convicted of

• How long ago the conviction happened

• Whether you meet all the legal requirements under Illinois law]]> Sex Crimes 2026-01-31 00:00:00 https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/how-to-handle-the-media-during-a-high-profile-criminal-trial https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/how-to-handle-the-media-during-a-high-profile-criminal-trial Camera crews might be parked outside your house and reporters are calling your phone. Maybe your name is trending on Twitter. You’re seeing strangers posting opinions about you without knowing a single fact. 

  Can you believe you’re in this situation? Most people who find themselves here say they can’t, either. When you are facing serious criminal charges in a high-profile case, the media can destroy your defense before you ever step into a courtroom. 

  Our Cook County criminal defense attorneys are fearless in the face of media pressure. We handle high-profile and celebrity cases for people accused of extremely serious crimes, including murder and felony federal drug crimes. When you need to navigate both the legal system and the media storm surrounding your case, call Komie and Associates at 312-263-2800.]]> Criminal Defense 2025-12-20 00:00:00 https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-bring-your-child-back-in-a-hague-proceeding https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-bring-your-child-back-in-a-hague-proceeding If your ex takes your child to another country without your permission, you likely find yourself in a scenario from every parent’s worst nightmares. The good news is that if your child is in a country that is a member of the Hague Convention, the law is on your side. But how long does a Hague Convention custody proceeding take? When will you see your child again?

  The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is designed to resolve these cases quickly because the treaty recognizes that children wrongfully removed from their home country suffer harm the longer they stay away. But the actual timeline depends on several factors. Our Hague Convention child abduction attorney can discuss your case with you and get started as quickly as possible.]]> International Criminal Law 2025-11-20 00:00:00 https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/can-i-face-criminal-charges-for-protesting-ice-in-chicago https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/can-i-face-criminal-charges-for-protesting-ice-in-chicago In recent years, large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations have led to protests across the Chicago area. These events sometimes result in arrests when law enforcement claims that protesters interfered with ICE activities. Some protests have even led to physical altercations with agents or the use of tear gas to disperse crowds.
  
  While ICE operations focus on identifying and detaining people suspected of violating immigration law, many others may be caught up in related protests. When people are accused of interfering with ICE agents, they could face criminal charges. Those who are arrested can address these charges with the help of an attorney who has experience defending clients in federal criminal cases.]]> Criminal Defense 2025-10-19 00:00:00 https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/not-registering-as-a-sex-offender-can-lead-to-more-felony-charges https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/not-registering-as-a-sex-offender-can-lead-to-more-felony-charges In Illinois, certain sex crime convictions mean you need to register as a sex offender. However, many people are surprised to learn that missing a registration deadline or not updating information can lead to additional felony charges. This is true even if it was a simple mistake.

  If you are accused of not following sex offender registration rules, the consequences can be serious. You need legal representation now. Speaking with a DuPage County, IL sex crimes defense lawyer is the first step to protecting your rights.

  As of September 2025, the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act (730 ILCS 150/) requires people convicted of certain sex crimes to register with local law enforcement within a set timeframe and to update their registration regularly. The rules are strict, and prosecutors treat violations as separate criminal offenses.]]> Sex Crimes 2025-09-19 00:00:00 https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/can-you-be-federally-prosecuted-for-a-ponzi-scheme https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/can-you-be-federally-prosecuted-for-a-ponzi-scheme Ponzi schemes are one of the most infamous financial frauds in the world of white-collar crime. Named after Charles Ponzi, who orchestrated the most infamous version of this scam in the 1920s, Ponzi schemes remain a highly effective but illegal method of defrauding investors. If you or someone you know is under investigation or facing charges related to a Ponzi scheme, you might be wondering: Can you face federal prosecution?

  The answer is, unfortunately, yes. Ponzi schemes often involve large-scale fraud that crosses state lines or affects interstate commerce, making it a target for federal prosecutors. In this blog post, we will explore how federal charges related to Ponzi schemes work, what kind of penalties you might face, and how a skilled Illinois federal criminal defense lawyer can help you navigate these serious charges.]]> White Collar Crimes 2025-08-22 00:00:00 https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/can-you-be-prosecuted-in-illinois-for-failing-to-report-foreign-income https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/can-you-be-prosecuted-in-illinois-for-failing-to-report-foreign-income U.S. citizens and permanent residents are obligated to report their income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), including any income earned in foreign countries. If you live in Illinois and fail to report foreign income, you could face serious legal consequences, including criminal prosecution on both a state and federal level.

  As of July 2025, aggressive enforcement of tax evasion and fraud laws is on the rise in Illinois. If you are under investigation for failing to disclose foreign income or you suspect a tax issue might become a criminal matter, speak with an experienced Will County, IL criminal defense attorney who has experience handling white collar offenses.

  What Does the Law Say About Reporting Foreign Income?

  Under federal law, all U.S. taxpayers must report foreign income on their annual tax return. This requirement includes wages, interest, dividends, rental income, and income from foreign investments. Depending on your circumstances and assets, you may also need to file additional forms. Some examples include the FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report), which is required under the Bank Secrecy Act if you have over $10,000 in foreign accounts, or the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Form 8938.]]> Financial Crimes 2025-07-22 00:00:00 https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/preliminary-hearing-vs-grand-jury-in-illinois https://mail.komieandassociates.com/blog/preliminary-hearing-vs-grand-jury-in-illinois The grand jury plays a role in our criminal justice system. Grand juries are used in federal crimes, and all but two states and Washington, D.C. also use grand juries, usually for more serious crimes. While having a grand jury determine whether you will face criminal charges can be scary, it is essentially the same thing as a preliminary hearing. The primary difference is that a judge decides whether there is sufficient evidence against you for a trial in a preliminary hearing, while the 16 people that make up an Illinois grand jury decide whether you will be indicted and face trial.

  Under the Illinois Constitution, you cannot face trial for a criminal offense that carries a prison sentence without having first been indicted by a grand jury or having a judge in a preliminary hearing find there is probable cause for a trial. There are similarities and differences between a preliminary hearing and a grand jury, detailed below. In either case, you will benefit from having a highly experienced Skokie, IL criminal defense lawyer by your side who will build a strong defense on your behalf.  ]]> Criminal Defense 2025-06-12 00:00:00