Federal Habeas Corpus

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

After a criminal defendant has been convicted and sentenced and completed his or her direct appeal and state post-conviction relief proceedings, the defendant has one final means to challenge his or her conviction and sentence. This final proceeding is called a federal habeas corpus proceeding, which is found at 28 U.S.C. section 2254 (prisoners in state custody) and 28 U.S.C. section 2255 (prisoners in federal custody). Habeas corpus is defined as a writ requiring a person to produce a prisoner at a designated time and place so that the court can determine the legality of the prisoner’s detention and whether to order the prisoner’s release.

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Drug Court in Illinois

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

The Drug Court Treatment Act was authorized to reduce the incidence of drug use, drug addiction, and crimes committed as a result of drug use and drug addiction in the State of Illinois. Pursuant to the Act, each judicial circuit within the State of Illinois must establish a drug court program. A Defendant may attend drug court as an alternative to a term of imprisonment.

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Heroine Charges in Iowa

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

Iowa classifies heroin as a Schedule I Substance. Not all heroin offenses are treated the same, and the penalties vary depending on whether the individual was in mere possession of heroin, or whether the individual was manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with the intent to deliver or manufacture heroin. Other variables include the

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Deciding Where to File For Divorce

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

The question of where to file for divorce is one that can be complex, especially when a person has moved recently or has a spouse who lives in another state.  Selecting the right jurisdiction and venue for the divorce case is important, as incorrect choices can cause significant harm to a person’s case and interests.

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Criminal Housing Management and Aggravated Criminal Housing Management Charges in Illinois

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

Under Illinois law, a failure to maintain residential real estate can result in misdemeanor or even felony charges, under the crimes of Criminal Housing Management and Aggravated Criminal Housing Management, as set forth in 720 ILCS 5/12-5.1 and 720 ILCS 5/12-5.1a:

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Court Date Continuances

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

Continuance is the legal term for when a court date is rescheduled to some time in the future.  There are many reasons that a court date may be Continued, and continuances can have significant effects upon cases.

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Things to Discuss with a Lawyer During a Family Law Consultation

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

When a person consults with a lawyer about their family law case, there are many different things that should be discussed so that the client is as informed as possible about how the case would proceed and the terms of representation.  While each situation is different, there are some common things that are applicable in every case:

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Proffer Letters and Proffer Meetings in Federal Criminal Cases

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

Those who are suspected of involvement in a criminal act by Federal prosecutors will sometimes be offered a Proffer, which is a type of limited immunity from prosecution in exchange for cooperation.  Sometimes the Proffer is initiated by the prosecutors, and other times a person and their attorney will request a Proffer.  Handling a Proffer situation properly is of the highest importance, as it can greatly affect whether a person is prosecuted and the outcome of such a case.

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