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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Joel Gould

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(773) 281-8744
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Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

Illinois State Bar

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John S. Fotopoulos

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(708) 942-8400

Get help now! Aggressive representation in criminal cases.

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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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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Tom Hallock

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 487-2441

Loyola University Chicago School of LawIllinois and U.S. District Court, Northern District of IllinoisFederal Defender Program: Northern District of Illinois and Cabrini Green Legal Aid | Public Interest Law InitiativeIllinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, American Bar Association...

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Michael J. Gilmartin

LaGrange, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(708) 469-7940

DePaul College of LawSt. Xavier University and Queen's University BelfastIllinoisState Bar of Illinois

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Rosemary Messineo Kostopoulos

Oakbrook Terrace, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(630) 279-0542

IllinoisIllinois State Bar

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Louis Meyer

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 765-0100

DePaul College of Law7th Circuit, Federal Circuit and Illinois

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Steven Fine

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 436-0638

IllinoisIllinois State Bar

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Benjamin Elson

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(773) 235-0070

University of Wisconsin - MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin - MadisonIllinois and WisconsinSuper LawyersWisconsin State Bar and National Lawyers Guild

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Alexander Ktenas

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 756-8652

State Bar of Illinois

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Frank Cece Jr.

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 922-0400

The John Marshall Law SchoolLoyola University ChicagoIllinois and 7th CircuitNACDL and CBA

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Eryk J. Wachnik

Des Plaines, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(847) 892-5060

Loyola University Chicago School of LawLoyola University ChicagoIllinoisIllinois State Bar Association and Chicago Bar Association

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James A. Payonk Jr.

Orland Park, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(708) 633-6005

The John Marshall Law SchoolIllinoisAmerican Association for Justice and Illinois State Bar Association

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Andrew Weisberg

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(773) 219-6385
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A+ Rated with the BBB and with well over 100 5-Star reviews online, Andrew M. Weisberg is a highly successful criminal defense attorney. Call Now for a Free and Immediate Consultation at (773) 219-6385. Mr. Weisberg... Read More »

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Michael I. Leonard

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(312) 363-7895
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Dedicated to protecting your liberty. Call today for criminal law help!

Michael Leonard has a well-earned reputation as one of Chicago's best criminal defense and trial lawyers. Michael is known for obtaining not guilty jury verdicts for his clients in State and Federal criminal... Read More »

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