Check raise can be a strong play, but it can also be a weak play.

If it is checked to me in late position on the flop and there's not much in the pot I'll take a shot at it with a 3 or 4xBB bet. Then you get some smart guy who just flopped a set check raise about 40xBB into a 10xBB pot. This is a weak play. Why not wait for me to take another shot on 4th street? Instead the guy wins a shitty little pot with an awesome hand and I've lost the minimum with trash. Bad play.

Where is a check raise good? Example:

You have JJ and raise in middle position. You get two callers, both behind you. The flop comes AJ2 rainbow. One of the two probably has an ace. But don't check raise the flop. Bet the flop. Then when one or both of the players call, check on 4th. This is a very "weak" play. Unsophisticated players will read this as very weak and will usually bet hard at the pot, especially if they have an ace. Now you can check raise here and maximize your winnings. If you're feeling particularily frisky you can even hold off the check raise until the river, but the other guy(s) might start getting suspicious of your smooth call on the turn and check it down.