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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Voss Skoullos

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(773) 636-1094
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Justice made personal. Call me today for a free criminal law consultation!

I treat every client as if they were a member of my family, dedicating personal attention and maintaining open communication throughout every stage of their case. I respect my clients and invest time to ensure they fully... Read More »

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Brandon K. Davis

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(312) 736-2052
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Professional and knowledgeable Criminal Defense attorney. Free consultation.

Brandon K. Davis is a defense attorney at The Davis Law Group, P.C. where he primarily represents clients charged with DUI, criminal and traffic-related offenses. He has been recognized for his accomplishments by a... Read More »

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Larry Davis

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(312) 736-2052
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Free Consultation! Effective Representation in Criminal Defense! Call Now!

Larry A. Davis graduated from Northwestern University (B.A. cum laude, 1973) and DePaul University (J.D. 1976). He is currently the principal of The Davis Law Group, P.C. in Northfield, IL . His practice is now... Read More »

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David L. Freidberg

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(312) 560-7100
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Determined Criminal Defense Attorney! Knowledgeable and Successful!

Welcome to the Chicago, Illinois, Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C., a premier Chicago criminal law attorney who knows how the system works and when to negotiate or simply take the gloves off and fight it out in... Read More »

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John Plascak

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 940-8225

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of LawIndiana State UniversityState Bar of Illinois

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Shahina Khan

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 940-8225

Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of TechnologyIllinoisState Bar of Illinois

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Haytham Faraj

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 635-0800

Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College and American University Washington College of LawThe CitadelIllinois, District of Columbia, Michigan and CaliforniaU.S. Marine Corps

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Katherine Levine

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 372-8888

The John Marshall Law SchoolIllinois and Federal CircuitAmerican Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys and The National Trial LawyersState Bar of Illinois and American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys

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Benjamin Lawson

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(773) 800-9268

Indiana University - Indiana University-BloomingtonUniversity of FloridaIllinoisChicago Bar Association and American Bar Association

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Michael Schmiege

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 626-2400

The John Marshall Law SchoolVillanova UniversitySuperlawyersNational Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

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Kelly Moore

Stone Park, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 940-8330

IllinoisState Bar of Illinois

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Richard F. Doerr

Lombard, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(630) 932-9100

Washington University School of LawSt. Ambrose UniversityMissouri and IllinoisState Bar of Illinois

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Sami Ziad Azhari

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 626-2871

Michigan State UniversityPurdue University - Purdue UniversityIllinois and CaliforniaNational Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers and National Trial Lawyers

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Michael D. Baker

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 714-2800

Washington University School of LawUniversity of Illinois - Urbana-ChampaignIllinoisIllinois State Bar

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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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Harold Lewis Wallin

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 346-7730

Washington University School of LawUniversity of ChicagoIllinois and IllinoisIllinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Illinois State Bar

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John Ioakimidis

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 229-5500

Western Michigan University Cooley Law SchoolNortheastern Illinois University and Northeastern Illinois University7th Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court and IllinoisIllinois State Bar

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Bayarjargal Bayar Sereenen

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(773) 387-7901

Southern Illinois University - CarbondaleIllinois, U.S.Patent & Trademark Office, Patent Bar and Federal Northern District Court of IllinoisAmerican Bar Association and American Immigration Lawyers' Association“Immigration and Refugee Law Issues Tibetan Asylees have faced in the United States”

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Michael Forkan

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 532-2230

John Marshall Law School, Chicago, IllinoisMonmouth CollegeIllinois and 7th Circuit

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Douglas B. Harper

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 214-2454

New York University School of LawYale University7th Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court, New York and IllinoisThe US District Court for the Northern District of IllinoisState Bar of Illinois

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Matthew A. Chivari

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 975-5732

DePaul College of LawIllinoisNorthwest Suburban Bar Association, The Chicago Bar Association...The Seventh Circuit and the Saving Clause (co-authored with Adam Bolotin) and Juvenile Sentencing: De Facto Life Sentences and the Eighth Amendment (co-authored with Adam Bolotin)

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Paul F. Serkland

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 736-2052

The John Marshall Law SchoolLoyola University ChicagoIllinoisIllinois State Bar Association, Cook County Bar Association...

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Dragan Ivetic

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 216-5167

University of Illinois College of LawNorthwestern UniversityIllinois, United Nations (International Criminal Tribunal for the Fmr. Yugoslavia), State Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina (Sud Bosne i Hercegovine), United Nations (International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals), United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and International Criminal Court (ICC)ADC-ICT (Association of Defence Counsel Practicing before International Courts and Tribunals), ICCBA (International Criminal Court Bar Association)...

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Michael John Petro

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 913-1111

Indiana University - Indiana University-BloomingtonIndiana University - Indiana University-BloomingtonIllinois, 7th Circuit, 5th Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court and FloridaIllinois State Bar and State Bar of Illinois

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Joel Gould

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(773) 281-8744

The John Marshall Law School and Rutgers School of Law-CamdenIllinoisIllinois State Bar

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