Anti-ICE protestor's case dismissed before it was even brought to court

AK is one of hundreds, or really thousands, of protestors who have done what they can to protect other members of the community, regardless of their legal status.

While demonstrating peacefully and legally at Broadview, AK was falsely seized, arrested and charged by a border patrol agent.

AK was given a ticket and a court date for federal court. When his attorney Melinda tried to file her appearance, she discovered there was no court number. Investigation revealed that not only was there no court number, but no court date and no court file. Although the U.S. attorney claimed a case may still be filed, he did not disagree when I said “and it’s even more likely that noting will even happen.”

Why was AK arrested? To intimidate AK and others from protesting the illegal and unjust actions of the border patrol and ICE. It didn’t work. And it won’t work. Chicagoans will protect their community.

Summary Judgment won against Aurora for false arrest and malicious prosecution

Way back in 6/20, I. Cuevas was falsely arrested by a former Aurora police officer. In a clearly bogus arrest, the officer charged Mr. C. with resisting arrest. After legal delays, the case went to a jury trial in January 2024. The Judge, perhaps understanding that the officer lacked probable cause to arrest Mr. C., threw the case out at the conclusion of the evidence.

A civil suit was filed. Instead of settling, Aurora decided to fight the case. After lots of discovery, 7 depositions, still no settlement. Instead Aurora file a motion for summary judgment, arguing that the case should be dismissed. Instead, the federal judge in charge of the case denied Aurora’s motion in its entirety.

Will the case be resolved? We should know soon because trial is set for March 2026.

Dolton whistle blower settles case 8/25

Ms. W. who worked for the infamous former mayor Tiffany Henyard, was falsely arrested for removing Ms. Henyard’s campaign literature for her car and the car of Ms. W’s friends. As Henyard’s orders, Ms. W. was charged with theft. The criminal case went on for months, until the prosecution was forced to dismiss it.

We then filed a civil suit on behalf of Ms. W. for false arrest and malicious prosecution. After exchange of discovery, which included quite a few police reports filed against Ms. W. because she attended open Village of Dolton and Township meetings, the case settled.

Henyard is now the former mayor, reportedly living in Georgia. Ms. W. has continued to support the people of Dolton and Thornton Township through her political activities.

Settlement for a young woman who injured her leg as she walked on a walkway outside her apartment

In 2022, as Ashley walked on the wooden walkway outside her 3rd floor apartment, the wood collapsed. Ashley’s leg was pierced by a nail and she couldn’t move. EMT had to come and physically extricate her from the floor. Now, almost three years later, Ashley walks with a limp, is in pain and still needs PT. She can’t return to her former job, since it required standing and walking. Happily, after filing a lawsuit, exchanging discovery with attorneys from the building, and depositions, the case settled as a result of a successful settlement conference today, July 24, 2025.

Successful settlement of a false arrest engineered by former Dalton Mayor Tiffany Henyard

Stephanie W., a long time Thornton Township resident, began attending public meetings to raise her concerns about corruption and mismanagement done by then Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard. One day, at a public meeting, she and her friends saw a Dolton employee putting campaign literature for Henyard on her car and the cars of her friends. Stephanie went to remove the literature from her car and the cars of her friends. Henyard learned of this and ordered Stephanie arrested…for theft. After successfully winning her criminal case, she sued in federal court. As a result of a settlement conference, Stephanie successfully settled her civil suit. Bravo to Stephanie for standing up and voicing her opinion.

Class X -the most serious class of felony- charge dismissed against Peoria client

Finally, on June 3, 2025, all criminal charges, including the Class X charge of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm was dismissed against my client, Diondre K.

Diondre, a Peoria native, was arrested and charged with the Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm and a UUW (Unlawful possession of a gun) in March 2023.

After a lot of twists and turns, Diondre demanded trial and the day before the jury trail was set to begin, the states attorney offered to dismiss the more serious charge if Diondre would plead guilty to the felony of possession of a gun.

Diondre said no and the states attorney was forced to dismiss all charges. The Judge ordered his release.

Lessons learned: be prepared for trial and be firm. Don’t take the offer if you think it’s not fair.

Victory for a Falsely Arrested man

As Antonio was returning to work after his lunch break, he may have speeded a bit and he may have not stopped at a stop sign. But, did that give the police the right to not only arrest and take him into custody but to also search the car he was driving? Antonio had parked his car, gotten out and was heading to work when an officer stopped and questioned him. Not content with giving Antonio tickets for speeding and failure to stop at a stop sign, the officer claimed he smelled marijuana in the car. Sound familiar? The little twist, the officer claimed he couldn’t tell if it was fresh or burned. In the glove compartment, the officer found a gun. Antonio, who was talking to his girlfriend during the encounter, told the police it was his girlfriend’s car and he knew nothing about the gun. The girlfriend confirmed to the police that the gun was hers and that she had a license for the gun and a license to keep it in the car. She admitted she forgot it was in the car, and affirmed that Antonio knew nothing about it. Nonetheless, the police arrested Antonio. On the eve of trial, a new prosecutor finally reviewed the evidence and dismissed the case.

Antonio sued and after months of discovery and depositions, we settled the case and at least Antonio got some compensation for the false arrest and time he was in custody.

Settlement on Behalf of Transgender Prisoner Raped by a Male Inmate

A victory was finally achieved on behalf of a transgender inmate! Attorney Elizabeth Mazur and I represented a transgender woman who was not only placed in a male prison but, due to the prison’s staff’s deliberate indifference, placed in a cell with a sexual predator.

The inevitable happened, causing incredible emotional pain for out client. She contacted Liz Mazur and I and we said: yes! We will take your case and try to get justice for you. After years of litigation and on the eve of trial, we settled for a substantial amount of money. Our client has been moved to a women’s prison, where her life has improved remarkably, even though she is still in prison. She doesn’t have to fear being raped or sexually assaulted.

Victory for Transgender Inmate Raped in Prison

Hughes Socol Pier Resnick & Dym along with co-counsel Melinda Power from West Town Law Office, is proud to represent Hannah Finnegan, a 35-year-old transgender woman from Central Illinois. Hannah’s harrowing experience sheds light on the critical issue of safety and protection for transgender individuals within the prison system.

In 2018, Hannah found herself in a men’s prison under the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). Despite being officially designated as “vulnerable” by IDOC officials, indicating the need for single-cell housing for her safety, she was placed in a cell with a male prisoner convicted of predatory criminal sexual assault. Tragically, as predicted, Hannah was raped.

Rather than taking responsibility for this clear violation of Hannah’s rights, attorneys for IDOC officials sought to have the case dismissed. However, last week, a federal judge in East St. Louis denied their efforts, allowing Hannah’s claims against the prison staff to proceed to trial.

Hannah’s case underscores the urgent need for IDOC to take seriously it’s obligation to protect vulnerable populations, especially transgender women like Hannah Finnegan. Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym remains committed to seeking justice for Hannah and others who have suffered similar injustices.

As we continue to fight for Hannah’s rights in court, we call attention to the systemic issues that contribute to such incidents and advocate for meaningful change to prevent future tragedies.

To read the Court’s opinion click HERE.

A Juror Asked: Can the police officer who testified against Ivan C. be charged?

In 7/2020, Ivan was at his home above his business in Aurora. His girlfriend thought she heard a noice so, Ivan went downstairs with his dog to check. Meanwhile, an Aurora police officer, suspended three times for his bad behavior, got a call of a man with a gun almost at the same address.

Just as Ivan came downstairs, the cop pulled up. Although the descriptions of the man with the gun (5’6”, 120 lbs.) and Ivan (5’9’, 175 lbs) were very different, the cop went to the store that Ivan had entered and started bamming on the window for Ivan to come out and talk to him. As Ivan approached the officer and told him they could speak through the window and asked him what he wanted, the officer pulled a gun and pointed it at Ivan. Of course Ivan was very scared! When Ivan didn’t immediately exit the store, the officer, with the still pointed gun, threatened to knock the door in.

As Ivan exited the store, two officers grabbed him and they all fell to the ground. But only Ivan was scratched and bruised. On top of it all, the officer arrested Ivan and charged him with resisting arrest. Arrest for what? Ivan hadn’t done anything.

At the conclusion of the officers’ testimony and after Ivan gave a heartfelt recounting of what happened to the jury, the court granted Ivan’s motion for a directed verdict and dismissed the case on 1/16/24.

The Judge spoke to the jury. A sign of the credibility of the cop was clearly shown when one juror asked if the officer could be charged.

Third Stage Post Conviction Victory: Emerging Adulthood Issue

After hearing from an expert, and 5 family members who talked about Melvin’s rough growing up, abuse, immersion in a gang as his surrogate family and the lack of mitigation produced at his sentencing in 2003, Judge Gamboney granted Melvin’s 3rd state post conviction petition for relief.

At a later date, the Judge reduced Melvin’s sentence by 20 years, making him eligible for immediate parole. A victory, but not a total victory until Melvin is out and reunited with his family.

Motion to Suppress statement made by a mentally challenged arrestee granted in the Central District of Illinois

David W. is a young man who has an IQ of 49. He hasn’t finished high school, he reads at a 4th grade level. He doesn’t drive. He’s never gone grocery shopping. He’s never taken public transportation. He doesn’t go to movies. He lives at home with his family who takes care of him.

Last September, the police came to his home and hauled him out of his house and put him in a police car. One officer rapidly told him his Miranda Rights. David, who doesn’t want to reveal he doesn’t understand what people say and thinks that by being agreeable he won’t cause problems, agreed to talk to the police. His recorded statement clearly indicates he didn’t understand what was going on.

After an in court hearing, the court agreed that David could not have knowingly and voluntarily waived his Miranda Rights since he was not able to understand what the police said to him.

Settled: Prisoner beat up by a guard while other guards stood by and watched A

In 2019, a prisoner who hadn’t received his medication was freaking out and asking for crisis help. Instead of getting him the help he so clearly needed, guards handcuffed him and dragged him first to the shower then down a long hall. As the prisoner asserted his rights, the lieutenant got mad at him and shoved his face into a wall, severely injuring his eye and causing additional bruising.

After deposing the various defendant officers, who all had differing stories, and several long settlement conferences, Plaintiff settled his case with the Illinois Department of Corrections. No guard admitted he’d done anything wrong. No guard suffered any consequences for what he did. But, my client at least got compensation for his damages and can use the money now that he is out of prison to help him arrange a new life.

Man arrested, mistreated and charged with aggravated battery on police: Case Dismissed

Once again, Chicago police officers falsely stopped, seized, detained, mistreated and arrested a Black man in Chicago, E. Robinson. The police had followed his wife. When she pulled into their residence parking space, Mr. Robinson came out to see what was going on. When he questioned the police, the officers attacked, beat and arrested Mr. Robinson. The police did not show up for their court hearing and the case was dismissed January 26, 2023.

Home at Last: J. Mitchell free after 23 years in prison

J. Mitchell was convicted of murder in 2000. After years of documenting the torture he received from notorious Chicago police officers, the Torture Inquiry Relief Commission (TIRC) finally agreed with Mr. Mitchell. TIRC found that his confession was a product of torture.

Attorney Melinda Power then came in to represent Mr. Mitchell to get him out of prison. After years of preparation and litigation, the state finally agreed to give Mr. Mitchell credit for time served.

To the joy of his family, he was finally released and home with his family on January 23, 2023.

Puerto Rican man arrested and charged with a DUI for sitting in his car: Case dismissed!

Hector was sitting in his parked car, looking at his phone, with the motor running when two police officers saw him and stopped their car and approached him. Racily profiling this young Puerto Rican, they demanded that he get out of the car. They then searched him and claimed he was drunk and arrested him. After fighting this case for nearly two years, the prosecution admitted they couldn’t proceed with the case and in January 2023 the case was dismissed.

Floyd Protest Case: Settled for Wrongfully arrested protestor

Floyd anti-racist protestor Rose was arrested while voicing her opposition to the police murder of George Floyd and the actions of racist and brutal police in Chicago. After being held for almost 14 hours, she was released without being charged, further proof of the baseless nature of her arrest. She filed a lawsuit, and was represented by attorneys Melinda Power and Amanda Yarusso. Discovery confirmed that she was falsely arrested and the City agreed to settle her case for a reasonable amount of money.

Not Guilty Declares the Judge at the end of the Trial for a DUI June 24, 2022

A Chicago police officer arrested Dennis L. in 2/19 for a DUI despite the fact the officer never saw Dennis driving or in a car! Yes, the officer determined that since Dennis was near a parked car in an alley and had a moderate odor of alcohol, he had been driving while impaired. Luckily, the officer’s Body Worn Camera (BWC) showed Dennis without blood shot eyes and no slurred speech (as the officer had testified Dennis had). It showed a compliant Dennis doing the field sobriety tests with very little problems. Even the officer asked another officer if he could arrest Dennis since he hadn’t seen him driving. After over a three year wait, the Judge quickly found Dennis not guilty after hearing the officer testify and watching the BWC.

Floyd Protestor Attacked by Chicago police Successfully Sues the police 4/22

On August 15, 2020, M. Martin joined thousands of Chicagoans and people across the U.S. in protesting the murder of George Floyd and the ongoing use of police violence and murder against Black, Latino and Native people in this country.

While peacefully protesting in downtown Chicago, Chicago police attacked her, knocked her to the ground and beat her. In the process, they took her bike and many of her personal belongings. Friends took her to the hospital where she received emergency case. Upon her release, she was unable to move without great pain for over a week and suffered ongoing pain and bruising, both physical and mental, for months.

Amanda Yarusso and Melinda Power filed a civil action on her behalf, due to the police use of excessive force. The City agreed to settle the case shortly after it was filed.