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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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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Darryl A. Goldberg

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(773) 793-3196
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Chicago criminal defense attorney Darryl A. Goldberg is an aggressive advocate who is no stranger to high profile cases or the high stakes world of federal court. In his federal criminal defense practice, Mr. Goldberg... Read More »

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Maria G. Antoniolli

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(630) 668-6700
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Illinois Criminal Defense Attorney with 13 years of experience

DuPage Association of Women Lawyers and DuPage County Chapter of the Justinian Society of Lawyers

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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 Johnson

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 222-0660

The John Marshall Law SchoolUniversity of Illinois - Chicago

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Robert Callahan

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 322-9000

IllinoisIllinois State Bar

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Scott Kamin

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 307-8848

Drake University Law SchoolOccidental CollegeIllinoisIllinois State Bar

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Mark Christopher Lewis

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 631-3800

Valparaiso University School of Law

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J. Nicolas Albukerk

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(773) 847-2600

IllinoisIllinois State Bar

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William E Reynolds

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(773) 375-6161

The John Marshall Law SchoolChicago State UniversityMartin Luther King Jr. MovementInternational Academy Of Dispute Resolution and American Arbitration Association

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Alfredo Acosta

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(773) 521-3300

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Stephen Feldman

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 371-5522

Super Lawyers Magazine

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Nejla Kassandra Keyfli Lane

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(773) 888-7808

Michigan State University College of Law and Michigan State University College of LawMichigan, Illinois and TexasTexas State Bar

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Christina A Papavasiliou

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 379-9580

Illinois

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Brandon K. Davis

Criminal Lawyer Serving Chicago, IL

(312) 736-2052
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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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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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Michael J. Levinsohn

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 919-0200

Tulane University School of LawBoston UniversityIllinois and 7th Circuit

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Mr Michael D Gerstein

Des Plaines, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(847) 296-8818

Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology7th Circuit, Illinois, USDC ND IL, D.C. Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court

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Fabian John Rosati

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 278-3115

The John Marshall Law SchoolNiagara UniversityIllinois, U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Trial Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 7th Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court

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Dan Florey

Palos Heights, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(708) 385-9021

Illinois State Bar

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Adam Dayan

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(310) 929-7962

Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of TechnologyUniversity of Wisconsin - MadisonIllinoisState Bar of Illinois

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Caitlin Wilder

Skokie, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(847) 920-4540

IllinoisState Bar of Illinois

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Wayne Irvin Novak

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(773) 519-0187

Illinois

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Paul J. Lytle

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 690-4111

DePaul College of LawIllinois State Bar

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Andrea Elizabeth Gambino

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 322-0014

DePaul College of LawMichigan State University and Columbia UniversityState Bar of Illinois

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David Benjamin Owens

Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

(312) 243-5900

Stanford Law School, University of Washington School of Law and University of Washington School of LawStanford UniversityState Bar of Illinois

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