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

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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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James G. Dimeas

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-Over 26 years of experience handling criminal cases in Cook County, DuPage County and Kane County, as well as federal courts as far away as Las Vegas. -Rated “Superb”, the highest classification possible by AVVO,... Read More »

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Gbenga Longe

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(708) 803-5029
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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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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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Andrew Gable

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 502-7877

The George Washington University Law SchoolMiami University of OhioIllinois and New YorkandCabrini Green Legal and Chicago Bar Association

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Kevin Dreher

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 214-8308

University of Illinois College of LawLoyola University Chicago and University of MichiganIllinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and U.S. District Court for the Northern District of IllinoisIllinois Super Lawyersand

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Vincent A. Luisi Jr.

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(773) 276-5541

St. Thomas University School of LawRoosevelt UniversityIllinoisElite Lawyer

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Raul A Villalobos

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 666-9982

University of Illinois - Urbana-ChampaignU.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois and IllinoisConsumer Business Review, Consumer Business Review, Consumer Business Review, University of Illinois College of Law...Illinois State Bar Association and United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar

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Kimber Russell

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 344-3804

DePaul College of LawNew York University and Northwestern UniversityIllinoisState Bar of Illinois, Chicago Bar Association...

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Benjamin Martinez

Cicero, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(708) 683-6243

DePaul College of LawDePaul UniversityIllinoisAmerican Institute of DUI/DWI AttorneysState Bar of Illinois, National College for DUI Defense...

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Kevin P Bolger

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(888) 258-7842

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

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David M. Smith

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 931-5411

Michigan State University College of LawIllinoisState Bar of Illinois

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Sarah Toney

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 854-1933

Loyola University Chicago School of Law7th Circuit and U.S. Supreme CourtIllinois SuperLawyers, Illinois SuperLawyers, Women's Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association

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Jason R. Epstein

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 869-2603

The John Marshall Law SchoolUniversity of Texas - San Antonio and University of Texas - San AntonioIllinois, 7th Circuit, Southern District of Illinois, Northern District of Illinois, Southern District of Texas and 5th Circuit

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Christa M. Winthers

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(630) 668-6700
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Illinois Criminal Defense Attorney with 20 years of experience

DuPage County Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association, Superlawyers and ABA Conference held in Washington DC on Improving Parent Representation in the Child Welfare SystemDuPage County Bar Association and State Bar of Illinois

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Paul F. Serkland

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(312) 736-2052
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Free Consultation! Former Prosecutor! Exceptional Criminal Defense Attorney!

Illinois State Bar Association and Cook County Bar Association

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James Kassir

Hinsdale, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(630) 202-1932

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

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Steven E. Skinner

Bridgeview, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 852-9937

Loyola University ChicagoSouthern Illinois University - CarbondaleIllinoisWill County Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association

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Robert F. Stringini

Addison, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(630) 834-9595

The John Marshall Law SchoolDePaul UniversityIllinoisDuPage County Bar Associatioln and State Bar of Illinois

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Chantelle A. Porter

Arlington Heights, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(847) 749-4182

IllinoisSuper Lawyers, DuPage County Bar Association 2010-2011, Super Lawyers and AVVOState Bar of Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association...

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John O. Walsh

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(708) 951-5047

Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of TechnologyFederal Circuit and IllinoisIllinois State Bar Association and Northwest Suburban Bar Association

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