Complex Criminal Defense

Serious felony charges put a person's freedom, livelihood, and reputation on the line at the same time. The firm represents clients in the kinds of cases where preparation, trial experience, and a willingness to challenge the government make the difference.

Practice Focus

The firm handles serious felony matters in Illinois state court and in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, including:

• Murder and homicide defense, including first degree murder under 720 ILCS 5/9-1
• Criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse
• Federal fraud charges, including wire fraud, mail fraud, and healthcare fraud
• Embezzlement and theft of public or corporate funds
• Federal conspiracy charges
• Other serious felony matters involving complex evidence or constitutional issues

Trial-Ready From the First Meeting

Most criminal cases never go to trial. The reason is not that defendants are guilty. It is that prosecutors stop offering reasonable plea terms once they know the defense lawyer is not prepared to try the case. The firm prepares every case as if it will be tried, because that posture, more than anything else, is what produces fair outcomes. Investigators get hired. Experts get retained when the science requires it. Motions to suppress get filed and litigated. Discovery gets read line by line.

Constitutional Defenses

Many serious cases involve constitutional issues that can change the trajectory of the prosecution. The firm focuses on:

• Fourth Amendment motions to suppress evidence from unlawful searches and seizures
• Fifth Amendment challenges to statements obtained in violation of Miranda
• Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause issues at trial
• Brady challenges based on the prosecution's failure to disclose exculpatory evidence
• Due process challenges to identification procedures and other investigative tactics

Federal Criminal Defense

Federal cases operate on a different timeline and use different rules than state court. Discovery is narrower, sentencing is governed by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, and the United States Attorney's Office rarely files charges it cannot prove. Effective federal defense requires understanding the Guidelines from day one. Mitigation, cooperation analysis, and trial preparation all begin at the indictment, not after a verdict.

Sentencing Advocacy

Whether the case ends in a plea or a verdict, sentencing is its own phase that requires its own preparation. The firm builds sentencing presentations that include detailed background information, character evidence, expert evaluations when relevant, and legal arguments tailored to the specific guidelines and statutory framework. Judges respond to records, not just words.

Confidentiality

Every criminal matter begins with the assumption that the conversation is privileged the moment representation begins. The firm does not discuss client matters publicly. Inquiries through this website can be made in confidence, with the understanding that no attorney-client relationship exists until an engagement letter is signed.

If you or a family member is facing serious criminal charges, the firm welcomes a confidential conversation as early in the process as possible.