Best Federal Lawyer Michael Leonard argued before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Political Corruption Case. On April 20, 2023, Michael Leonard of Leonard Trial Lawyers argued before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of United States v. Luis Arroyo. Mr. Arroyo was a respected and long-serving member of the Illinois House of Representatives who lead what the District Court acknowledged was an “extraordinary life.” Mr. Arroyo was appealing his sentence, which was issued by a Federal District Court Judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. On appeal before the Seventh Circuit, Mr. Leonard’s oral argument primarily focused on the trial Judge’s reliance upon the theory that politicians are purportedly “rational actors” and that a lower sentence for a politician directly results in more corruption and that a higher sentence for a politician results in less corruption. Before the Seventh Circuit, Mr. Leonard emphasized that there was no empirical or other support for those factual/legal conclusions relied upon by the trial court Judge in sentencing Mr. Arroyo. In addition, Mr. Leonard’s arguments included a challenged to the trial Judge’s monetary restitution Order, as well as the trial court Judge’s finding that Mr. Arroyo’s sentencing hearing allocution was an aggravating factor. The Seventh Circuit is expected to issue its written Opinion in coming weeks to months. Mr. Leonard represented Mr. Arroyo, along with Samil Azhari of Azhari Law LLC.
Written by Michael Leonard
Leonard Trial Lawyers
April 23, 2023