When facing criminal charges it is important to have an experienced Lake County Defense Attorney. A criminal case can ruin your life and your record, and you do not want to face it alone.
Steve is a former prosecutor who now defends clients in serious criminal felony cases, misdemeanor offenses, DUI, Traffic and Village ordinance/traffic-related matters. He also handles appeals of indicated findings in child abuse/neglect cases.
Public Defender
You may have made a mistake or been in the wrong place at the wrong time, but that doesn’t make you guilty. With capable legal representation, you may be able to avoid criminal charges entirely or to have the charges reduced.
Lake County has its own Public Defender Office which provides free legal representation for those who cannot afford private counsel. Greg Nikitas is a highly respected attorney who was a felony prosecutor in the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and has tried many First Degree Murder Trials.
Each of the towns in Lake County hire village attorneys to prosecute ordinance, traffic and DUI cases that occur within their borders. These are typically former prosecutors who work as village attorneys one or two days a month and have their own private practices the rest of the time. The experienced attorneys in those firms understand the methods that the prosecutors in Lake County use to try to get convictions.
DUI/DWI
A DUI is a serious offense with potential jail time, fines, license suspension and other consequences. If you have been arrested for DUI in Waukegan, Gurnee or elsewhere in Lake County, it is important to retain a seasoned Lake County Criminal Defense attorney immediately.
A police officer may suspect that a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs based on the officer’s observation of a variety of behaviors, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of alcohol. The driver will then be asked to take a breath or chemical test. If you refuse or fail the test, your driving privileges will be suspended immediately upon arrest.
The Lake County DUI attorneys at Quinn Legal Associates can challenge the validity of the testing procedure and other evidence used to support your case. They will also fight to prevent your license suspension and request a restricted driving permit if necessary. Their experience has helped many clients avoid a conviction and keep their record clean.
Protective Injunctions
An injunction can be filed against someone who does not meet the definition of Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence or Dating Violence and instead is based on the threat of repeated acts of physical violence or stalking. An Injunction for Protection Against Repeat Violence can be filed against any person and prohibits contact, trespassing, harassment, intimidation, and other forms of unwanted behavior. This type of injunction can also award the petitioner exclusive possession and custody of a pet.
Tom has defended clients in injunction proceedings and will defend you whether you are the Petitioner or the Respondent. It is important to follow the injunction letter and spirit. Any violation can result in you being charged with violating the order or aggravated stalking and could be reported to law enforcement.
Even if the allegations in an injunction are later proven false, they remain a part of your public record and can show up on background checks for jobs and even housing. We can protect your reputation and provide a strong defense.
Criminal Defense
A criminal conviction can have a devastating impact on your life. A felony record can impact your employment, housing, education and other life-altering aspects of your existence. It is important to protect your rights and work with a Lake County criminal attorney who is able to navigate this unfamiliar territory on your behalf.
A good criminal defense lawyer can help you avoid harsh penalties such as lengthy prison sentences, stiff fines and mandatory registration as a sex offender for the rest of your natural life. A strong defense can also help you avoid a conviction even if the police and prosecutors believe that they have sufficient evidence to convict you of a crime.
The HoffmanLaw Office brings extensive experience defending clients charged with crimes in the Lake County courtrooms. Attorney Matt Hoffman accumulated his prosecutorial experience during more than six years of daily work in the State’s Attorney’s Office before starting his own law firm, dedicated to criminal defense in 2005.