A Chicago criminal defense attorney focuses on defending the rights of individuals and businesses who have been charged with a crime. Criminal defense lawyers encounter problems surrounding the arrest, unwarranted searches of their clients' property such as their residence, auto and person along with more actions. In the United States, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven guilty from a prosecutor beyond a reasonable doubt.
Cook County criminal defense lawyers have successfully defended both juvenile and adult defendants in state court and federal court. The importance of having an experienced criminal lawyer will give you the best chance to avoid:
Criminal defense lawyers may also be city or county public defenders who are generally new law school grads mixed in with a few experienced attorneys. Persons charged with criminal conduct can also retain a private defense lawyer if they desire.
Criminal defense includes the following law practice areas:
River North - Downtown Chicago (The Loop) - Lincoln Square - South
The Sentencing Project
A national leader in the development of alternative sentencing programs and in research and advocacy about criminal-justice policy.
Prison Policy Initiative
The Prison Policy Initiative conducts research and advocacy about incarceration and criminal-justice policy.
Equal Justice, USA
"Capital Defense Handbook For Defendants and Their Families" provides information and advice about death-penalty cases from the defense point of view.
ACLU: Prisoners' Rights
Resource provided by the American Civil Liberties Union with information on national and state efforts to recognize and protect prisoner's rights.