Coogan Knows the Law

Jim updates the Gerald Reed case—the trial is complete. And explores other wrongful convictions in Chicago while comparing them to the complaints that a “two-tiered system of justice” is being applied to ex-President Trump.

Gerald Reed was arrested on suspicion of a double-homicide. While in Chicago Police custody, he was interrogated by two detectives that worked under the infamous John Burge. He alleged that he was kicked so hard while handcuffed that it broke the rod placed in his thigh bone. Xrays confirmed the fracture, but the jury convicted him anyway.

He kept fighting his legal case. After a tortured legal history, the Governor of Illinois examined whether his conviction was just. Now, he's facing another trial...but will he serve any more prison time even if convicted?

Listen in for the whole story...

Attorney Jim Coogan knows the law...can be funny. Did you know you can be pulled over for honking your car horn? What if you are honking to cheer on a group of sports fans? Or a political rally? Or protesting a political gathering?

What about your right to free speech?

Listen in as Jim discusses a surprising recent case involving all these questions and more...

Joseph is a specially-trained athletic trainer with who is also specialist in Functional Capacity Exams...and he even did an internship at NASA!

Take a listen as Jim and Joseph discuss the commitment and training required to help people recover from injuries and improve their strength. Joseph also discusses why helping patients live healthier lives is so important to him.

Jim discusses what you should expect from your lawyer in a Civil Case, what questions you should ask, and the nature of the relationship between lawyer and client.

Ben sat down and talked one on one with columnist and host of The Ben Joravsky Show, Ben Joravsky.

Trump, Mayor Daly, Mayor Johnson, the Chicago migrant crisis and so much more!!

Do you have good insurance? Are you sure?

Getting good home & auto insurance will not only protect you if you cause injury to someone else, but you can protect yourself if the person who injures you does not have insurance. Most people do not ask about "uninsured motorist coverage" when they get insurance, but you'll be glad you had it if something unfortunate happens.

In this special Guest Interview Episode, Jim welcomes Business Development and Lawyer Coach, Steve Fretzin! Steve is the host of the "Be That Lawyer" Podcast and works with attorneys who look to expand and grow their law practices. Steve shares why he is passionate about helping lawyers deliver for more clients that need their skills and advocacy.

In the 1990's, Americans who were unfamiliar with civil wrongful death cases were confronted with one of the most high-profile lawsuits in American History. Following the Los Angeles County jury's acquittal of OJ Simpson for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, the Goldman family sued OJ for wrongful death.

As a result, many learned the difference between the "beyond a reasonable doubt" burden in criminal cases and the "more likely than not" burden in civil cases and saw that a civil jury held OJ accountable where the Criminal Jury did not.

Jim also describes the types of "damages" available to a family that has lost a loved one due to wrongful conduct.

In 2023, Illinois made sweeping changes to the criminal justice system. Listen in as Jim Coogan explains how the Pre-Trial Fairness Act replaces the cash bail system and will impact everyone charged with a crime in Illinois going forward.