What are my rights if I've been arrested in Chicago?

First of all, police should advise you immediately upon arrest of your constitutional rights: you have the right not to speak to the police, you have the right to have an attorney, and if you cannot afford an attorney you have the right to a public defender. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Chicago, a Chicago criminal defense lawyer can help you through the criminal process, from the time of arrest until sentencing. Hiring a lawyer sooner in the process rather than later may help you mount a stronger defense and avoid saying or doing things against your self-interest. Note that you must unequivocally assert your right to an attorney (“I will not speak until I have an attorney present”) in order for police to stop questioning you. Once you do that, they must stop all questioning until you have an attorney present. In contrast, it is easier to accidentally waive your right to silence. You invoke your right to silence by not speaking, but if you do say something, the police may use that as evidence against you in court.

What options do I have if I did commit the crime of which I'm accused?

A criminal prosecution requires that the government prove every element of its case beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a very exacting standard, and a skilled criminal defense lawyer can seize upon the many opportunities to weaken the prosecution's arguments. For example, there may be a problem with the chain of custody of a key piece of evidence, or the defendant might not have been properly instructed of his Fifth Amendment rights. Even if you committed the crime for which you are charged, the government is responsible for proving it and following the strict procedures in place to assure a fair trial. The office of the Cook County State's Attorney, which prosecutes crimes in Chicago, has stated that it will invest substantial resources in increasing enforcement and incarceration, which makes it even more crucial that criminal defendants retain skilled counsel to represent them. Defending against criminal charges in Cook County can be challenging, which is why it is important find a Chicago criminal defense lawyer to zealously argue for your rights. A criminal record can affect your employment prospects, housing applications, and more, particularly if you are convicted of a felony. Don't hesitate to contact a Chicago lawyer; your freedom may depend on it!

Chicago Criminal Lawyers

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Jonathan Bedi

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(312) 525-2017

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Jonathan S. Bedi 53 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 1505 Chicago, IL 60604 jbedi@bedisinger.com 312.525.2017 Jonathan S. Bedi is an experienced trial lawyer and litigator with over a decade of trial experience. He has... Read More »

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Gbenga Longe

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(708) 803-5029
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Determined Illinois Criminal Defense Lawyer! Aggressive Legal Representation!

Gbenga Longe is an experienced Criminal Defense Attorney. A former Prosecutor, Gbenga brings inside knowledge and unique insight to her practice. She has a record of both aggressive and effective representation. Gbenga... Read More »

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Merrill K Davis

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(312) 736-2052
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Merrill K. Davis is an Attorney at The Davis Law Group, P.C. Ms. Davis received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a major in Legal Studies. Ms. Davis received her J.D. from Loyola... Read More »

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David S. Olshansky

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(312) 203-5500
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Free Consultation! Aggressive Legal Representation! Strong Track Record!

Mr. Olshansky's practice is limited to only issues which arise out of domestic criminal and quasi-criminal cases including charges of domestic battery, criminal violations of orders of protection, defending the... Read More »

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Joel Gould

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(773) 281-8744
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Kathryn L Harry

Oak Brook, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(630) 472-9700

DePaul UniversityMillikin UniversityIllinois, U.S. Supreme Court and Georgia2022 Super Lawyers, 2021 Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers...DuPage County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Illinois State Bar Association...

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Omar Khan

Oakbrook Terrace, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(630) 529-9377

The Ohio State University Moritz College of LawUniversity of DaytonIllinoisSuper Lawyers, Super Lawyers, American Institute of Legal Counsel, American Institute of Legal Counsel...Winnebago County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association...Long-Term Outcome of Pancreatic Duct Stone Removal in Patients with Chronic Pancreatitis

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Mr. Matthew D. Keenan

Skokie, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(847) 568-0160

Loyola University Chicago School of LawBeloit CollegeIllinoisMartindale Hubbell, American Institute of Legal Counsel, The American Society of Legal Advocates and The National Trial LawyersIllinois State Bar AssociationIllinois Jurisprudence Criminal Law and Procedure 2014, Chapters 3, 5, 8, 16, 17 and Representing Students and Parents in School Residency Challenges

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Adam Maksimovich

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(708) 447-1040

Loyola University Chicago School of LawUniversity of Illinois - Urbana-ChampaignIllinoisAttorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of IllinoisState Bar of Illinois and DuPage County Bar Association

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Purav Bhatt

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(773) 791-9682

Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of TechnologyDePaul University and Loyola University ChicagoIllinoisNational Trial Lawyers Association, National Trial Lawyers Associations and SuperlawyersSuperLawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association...

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Vadim Glozman

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 726-9015

University of Illinois College of LawUniversity of Illinois - Urbana-ChampaignIllinoisIllinois Super Lawyers, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, The National Trial Lawyers and Leading Lawyers NetworkAmerican Bar Association and Chicago Bar AssociationThe U.S. Sentencing Commission’s War on Drugs

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Diane M Ainsworth

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 984-0398

Northwestern University School of LawState University of New York - College at PurchaseIllinoisAvvo and Chicago Volunteer Legal Services FoundationLeaving Money to Minors and Avoiding Guardianship in Illinois

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Patrick J Weiland

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 238-9007

Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of TechnologyUniversity of Wisconsin - Stevens PointIllinoisThe National Trial Lawyers AssociationIllinois State Bar and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Criminal Trial LawyersLegal Assistance for DUI

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Mr. Gal Pissetzky

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 883-9466

The John Marshall Law School and University of Illinois - Chicago6th Circuit, 7th Circuit, Federal Circuit, Illinois and U.S. Supreme CourtSuperLawyers, SuperLawyers, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys and Super LawyersIllinois State Bar and National Association of Defence Lawyers

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Warren J. Breslin

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 321-9070

Loyola University Chicago School of LawDePaul University and DePaul UniversityIllinois, 7th Circuit, Federal Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court, Colorado, District of Columbia, Wisconsin and FloridaMartindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers & Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area and DePaul UniversityWisconsin State Bar, American Association for Justice...ALL IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE and Chicago Police Department Directives

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John S. Fotopoulos

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(708) 942-8400

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John S. Fotopoulos, former Cook County judge serving at the Daley Center in Chicago, established his law firm on two simple firm principals: to have competitive rates allowing everyone to afford the advice they need, and... Read More »

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Bridgette Brown

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(708) 803-5029
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Fighting for your rights, freedom, and peace of mind after a criminal charge.

Attorney Bridget Brown is poised to bring an exemplary command of Criminal and Family Law to any case. Her skills, confidence and experience have made her a verifiable force for each client she defends. Ms. Brown... Read More »

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James F. Diquattro

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 627-9482

The John Marshall Law SchoolPurdue University - Purdue UniversityIllinoisNational Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, Nation's Premiere and American Institute of Criminal Law AttorneysNorthern District of Illinois Trial Bar, Central District of Illinois General Bar...Scholarship

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Evan Winer

Skokie, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(847) 336-9111

Loyola University Chicago School of LawUniversity of Iowa7th Circuit and IllinoisUniversity of Iowa and Phit Beta KappaLake County Bar Assoication and Chicago Bar AssociateSecond Chance Probation and the Offender Initiative Program and Law Abroad: South American Odyssey

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Gbenga Longe

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(708) 803-5029

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of LawBethune-Cookman CollegeIllinoisSuper LawyersState Bar of Illinois and Women's Criminal Defense Bar Association

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David John Shestokas

BERWYN, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 451-5550

The John Marshall Law SchoolBradley UniversityIllinois and FloridaFlorida State BarDave Shestokas on the Bill of Rights and Get Your Suspended Illinois Driver's License Back

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Bridgette Brown

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(708) 803-5029

University of Illinois - Chicago John Marshall Law SchoolIllinoisExpertise.com, Expertise.com and Expertise.comIllinois State Bar

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Martin S. LaScola

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(773) 655-5544

The John Marshall Law SchoolMarquette UniversityIllinois and Federal CircuitSuperLawyers, The National Trial Lawyers and Bradley UniversityIllinois State Bar Association

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Michael John Young

Westchester, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(708) 410-0090

The John Marshall Law SchoolNortheastern Illinois UniversityIllinoisAvvo

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Faraz Nayyar

Oakbrook Terrace, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(630) 529-9377

Case Western Reserve University School of LawUniversity of Wisconsin - MadisonIllinois and MissouriSuper Lawyers, Super Lawyers, American Institute of Legal Counsel and American Institute of Legal CounselNational Employment Lawyers Association (Illinois Chapter) and Chicago Bar Association

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Naveed S. Husain

Oakbrook Terrace, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(630) 909-9114

Marquette University Law SchoolBenedictine UniversityIllinois and WisconsinAvvoMuslim Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association...Video Gallery

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Angel M. Traub

Arlington Heights, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(847) 749-4182

John Marshall Law School, Chicago, ILNorthern Illinois UniversityIllinois and Northern DistrictElite Lawyer and Northern llinois UniversityState Bar of Illinois, Membership Committee, Diversity Committee, & Entertainent Committee..."The Wall is Down, Now We Build More: The Exclusionary Effects of Gated Communities Demand Stricter Burdens Under the FHA", Lombard Family Law Attorneys at A. Traub & Associates Receive Super Lawyers Distinction for 2024...

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