Judge Suggests Probation Possible in Teen Burglary Case

A Lake County Criminal Court judge told two Deerfield teenagers charged with invading a Highland Park home and other offenses he may consider probation during a pretrial hearing today in Waukegan.

Joshua Norris and Joseph Mahoney, both 18, of Deerfield were indicted September 10 on charges including home invasion with a weapon of a Highland Park home in August, residential burglary and use of a firearm in the commission of a crime.

Earlier: Grand Jury Indicts Deerfield Teens

“Sometimes in cases like this I consider probation and in other cases the person is going to go to prison,” Judge Daniel Shanes said to Norris.

Norris told Shanes he understood. Before letting Norris know jail and probation were potential options he asked him how things have been going since August. “I’m learning a lot,” Norris said.

Before Shanes had separate conversations with the two defendants, Mahoney attorney Chris Cronson told Shanes a resolution of the case was possible this month. “We’ve been in discussions and are close to a resolution,” Cronson said.

Assistant Lake County State’s Attorney Steve Scheller agreed. “We are contemplating a resolution,” he said.

After the lawyers briefed Shanes, the judge turned his attention to Mahoney, the first of the two defendants to appear before him.

“One of the things that’s important in cases like this is how you are doing on bond (and in) the program at Omni,” Shanes said. “If you have success there the better the possibility you succeed at probation.”

Shanes continued the pretrial to 9 a.m. Feb. 28 in Waukegan. The case is currently set for trial March 4.

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