Criminal Defense Attorney Des Plaines, IL

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Des Plaines, your future is at stake. Whether it’s a DUI, traffic violation, or other criminal charges, our Des Plaines criminal defense attorneys are here to protect your rights and provide a strong defense.

Comprehensive Criminal Defense Services in Des Plaines, IL

Being charged with a crime can be one of the most overwhelming experiences of your life. A criminal conviction can lead to harsh penalties, including jail time, steep fines, and a permanent record that can affect your future opportunities. In Des Plaines, whether you’re facing charges for DUI, traffic violations, or other criminal offenses, it’s crucial to have a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer by your side to navigate the legal system and advocate for your best interests.

Our criminal defense attorneys in Des Plaines provide clients with comprehensive representation in various areas of criminal law, ensuring that your rights are protected at every stage of the legal process. A criminal record can have significant implications, affecting employment and housing opportunities, which underscores the importance of legal representation in mitigating these consequences. We handle a wide range of criminal cases, from DUI charges to traffic ticket defense and more serious offenses. Our goal is to help you understand the charges you’re facing and build a strong defense that minimizes the impact on your life.

DUI Defense in Des Plaines

Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most common criminal charges in Illinois, and the penalties for a DUI conviction can be severe. As a specific type of criminal case, a first-time DUI offense can lead to hefty fines, loss of your driver’s license, and even jail time. Subsequent DUI convictions carry even harsher penalties, including extended license suspensions, longer jail sentences, and higher fines.

Our DUI attorneys in Des Plaines understand the gravity of these charges and work diligently to protect your driving privileges and minimize the consequences. From challenging the validity of breathalyzer tests to questioning the circumstances of your arrest, we leave no stone unturned in building your defense.

Key aspects of DUI defense include:

• Breathalyzer and Field Sobriety Tests: One of the first steps in defending a DUI charge is to scrutinize the methods used by law enforcement to determine intoxication. We challenge the accuracy of breathalyzer results and question whether field sobriety tests were properly administered.
• Challenging the Arrest: We review the circumstances surrounding your DUI arrest to ensure that your rights were not violated. If the police did not have probable cause to stop you, or if they failed to follow proper procedures, we may be able to have the charges reduced or dismissed.
• Negotiating Reduced Charges: In some cases, we can negotiate with the prosecution to have DUI charges reduced to a lesser offense, such as reckless driving, which carries lighter penalties.

Traffic Ticket Defense

Traffic violations may seem minor, but they can lead to significant consequences if not handled properly. Accumulating too many points on your driving record can result in license suspension, increased insurance premiums, and costly fines. For commercial drivers, traffic violations can threaten your livelihood by putting your commercial driver’s license (CDL) at risk.

Hiring a private criminal defense attorney for traffic violations can provide a more personalized and comprehensive defense. Private attorneys typically have more time to dedicate to each case, allowing for deeper case analysis and the ability to gather resources such as expert witnesses.

Our traffic ticket defense lawyers in Des Plaines represent clients facing a variety of traffic violations, including speeding tickets, reckless driving charges, and CDL violations. We work to get tickets dismissed or reduced, protecting your driving record and helping you avoid costly penalties.

• Speeding Tickets: Speeding tickets can result in fines, points on your license, and higher insurance rates. We defend against these charges by questioning the accuracy of radar equipment and speed measurements.
• Reckless Driving: Reckless driving is a more serious offense that can result in criminal penalties, including jail time. We work to have reckless driving charges reduced or dismissed by negotiating with the prosecution.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Violations: Commercial drivers face stricter penalties for traffic violations. Our traffic defense lawyers work to protect your CDL and help you maintain your livelihood.

Criminal Defense for Alcohol-Related Offenses

In addition to DUI charges, there are other alcohol-related offenses that are common in Des Plaines, such as public intoxication, open container violations, and underage possession of alcohol. These charges can result in fines, community service, or even jail time, depending on the severity of the offense.

Offenses like criminal sexual abuse are extremely serious and carry severe legal implications. It is crucial to have a skilled defense attorney to address charges related to such sexual offenses.

Our criminal defense lawyers in Des Plaines defend clients against a wide range of alcohol-related offenses, ensuring that your rights are protected and working to minimize the penalties you face.

• Public Intoxication: Public intoxication charges can tarnish your record and lead to fines or community service. We fight to have these charges reduced or dismissed, protecting your reputation and avoiding harsh penalties.
• Open Container Violations: Open container laws prohibit the possession of open alcoholic beverages in certain public areas. We help clients defend against these charges and seek alternative resolutions, such as reduced fines or community service.
• Underage Possession of Alcohol: Illinois has strict laws regarding underage drinking, and a conviction for underage possession of alcohol can result in fines, community service, and a mark on your record. Our attorneys work to protect the futures of young clients by negotiating for alternative resolutions or dismissals.

Anecdotal Story: Fighting a DUI Charge in Des Plaines

One of our clients, a Des Plaines resident, was pulled over late one evening after attending a family gathering. The police officer suspected he had been drinking and administered a field sobriety test, which our client struggled with due to anxiety and the cold weather. Based on this test, the officer arrested him for DUI and administered a breathalyzer test at the station. The results indicated a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) just above the legal limit.

Our DUI attorney reviewed the case and identified several issues with the arrest. First, the field sobriety test was administered in poor conditions, and our client’s anxiety likely affected his performance. Additionally, the breathalyzer test was conducted over an hour after the arrest, during which time his BAC may have increased. We presented these arguments to the prosecution and negotiated a reduction of the DUI charge to reckless driving, which carried significantly lighter penalties.

This case illustrates the importance of a thorough and thoughtful defense. By challenging the validity of the evidence and advocating for a fair resolution, our client avoided a DUI conviction and its long-term consequences.

Common Criminal Charges We Defend Against

Our criminal defense attorneys in Des Plaines handle a wide range of criminal cases, including:

• DUI Charges
• Traffic Violations
• Drug Offenses
• Drug Crimes
• Drug Trafficking
• Assault and Battery
• Domestic Violence
• Theft and Burglary
• Weapons Charges
• Gun Crimes
• Violent Crimes

Each of these charges comes with its own set of legal challenges and potential consequences. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or a felony, our team is here to provide the defense you need to protect your rights and minimize the impact of the charges on your life.

Why Work with Our Des Plaines Criminal Defense Lawyers?

• Protecting Your Rights: We ensure that your constitutional rights are upheld throughout the legal process, from arrest to trial.
• Comprehensive Defense Strategies: We build tailored defense strategies designed to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
• Strong Negotiation: We negotiate with prosecutors to seek reduced charges or alternative sentencing options when appropriate.

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Des Plaines, don’t wait to seek legal help. Our Des Plaines criminal defense lawyers are here to protect your rights and provide a strong defense against DUI charges, traffic violations, and other criminal offenses. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step in fighting for your future.

Directions to our Des Plaines, IL office:

From Arlington Heights (via IL-12 E):

• Take IL-12 E (Rand Rd) southeast.
• Continue on Rand Rd for about 6 miles.
• The destination will be on the right.

From Mount Prospect (via US-14 W):

• Take US-14 W (Northwest Hwy) towards Des Plaines.
• Turn right onto Rand Rd.
• Continue for 1.5 miles, and the destination will be on the right.

From I-294 S (Tri-State Tollway):

• Take the exit for US-12 W/IL-58 W (Golf Rd) and head west.
• Turn right onto Rand Rd (IL-12).
• Continue for 2 miles, and the destination will be on the left.