Get Help From a Top Criminal Defense Attorney Today
Criminal Defense Lawyer in Chicago
Michael Stefanos represents individuals facing criminal charges throughout Chicago and Cook County, where court procedures, prosecutorial practices, and law enforcement tactics vary by district and courthouse.
Criminal charges in Chicago move quickly and carry lasting consequences. An arrest often begins with police contact that escalates before a person fully understands what is happening. Illinois law gives prosecutors broad authority, but it also imposes strict legal and constitutional limits. A strong Chicago criminal defense strategy focuses on those limits from the very beginning.
Criminal offenses in Illinois are primarily governed by 720 ILCS 5, with sentencing provisions outlined in 730 ILCS 5. These statutes define crimes, but they also define what the State must prove and how evidence must be obtained. Many Chicago criminal cases weaken once those requirements are tested.
How Criminal Cases Begin in Chicago
Most criminal cases begin with a police encounter. This may involve a traffic stop, street investigation, domestic call, or execution of a search warrant. Police must have legal justification at each stage. Stops require reasonable suspicion. Arrests require probable cause. Searches require consent, a warrant, or a recognized exception.
When police overstep, constitutional protections apply. Evidence obtained through unlawful searches or interrogations may be suppressed under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments and corresponding provisions of the Illinois Constitution.
Common Criminal Charges in Chicago
Chicago criminal defense cases often involve:
- DUI and traffic-related offenses
- Domestic violence allegations
- Drug possession or delivery charges
- Firearm and weapons offenses
- Theft and financial crimes
Each category carries different penalties and defenses. Felony convictions can result in prison exposure, while misdemeanors still carry long-term collateral consequences affecting employment and housing.
What Must Prosecutors Prove?
Question: Does an arrest mean the State has enough evidence?
No. An arrest only requires probable cause. A conviction requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutors must establish every element of the charged offense using admissible evidence.
Witness credibility, police reports, forensic testing, and body camera footage are all subject to challenge. Inconsistencies and procedural errors often emerge once discovery is reviewed.
Defense Strategy Under Illinois Law
Illinois law provides defenses based on lack of intent, self-defense, unlawful police conduct, mistaken identity, and evidentiary insufficiency. Pretrial motions play a central role in criminal defense, particularly motions to suppress evidence or dismiss defective charges.
Michael Stefanos approaches Chicago criminal defense by challenging the foundation of the case early, rather than reacting late.
Sentencing and Mitigation
Question: Can criminal penalties be reduced even if charges proceed?
Yes. Illinois courts must consider mitigating factors, including criminal history, employment, family obligations, and rehabilitation potential. Alternatives such as probation, supervision, or reduced charges are often available depending on the circumstances.
Why Local Chicago Defense Matters
Chicago courts operate at a fast pace. Knowing how local prosecutors charge cases and how judges evaluate motions matters. Criminal defense is not only about the law, but about how the law is applied in Cook County courtrooms.
Contact Our Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
At the Law Office of Michael Stefanos, our Chicago criminal defense attorney is standing by, ready to help you protect yourself. No matter the criminal charge that you are facing, we can help. Contact us right away for a completely confidential, no obligation initial consultation. With an office in Addison, we provide criminal defense representation in Chicago, Naperville, Aurora, Elgin, Schaumburg, and throughout the region.
a fearless dupage county attorney
Michael Stefanos
Answers to Some
Common Questions
Missing your court date is certainly problematic, and the outcome will depend on the nature and status of your case. However, the worst thing you can do is nothing. If you have missed your court date, contact a criminal defense attorney immediately, and they can help you minimize the damage and avoid conviction.
A first-time DUI is a Class A misdemeanor under Illinois law. This means you could face up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. While first-time offenders rarely face the maximum fine or jail sentence, many factors can impact the outcome of your case, such as your blood alcohol content and whether there was a minor in the car. In addition, your driver’s license will be suspended for 1 year, but you will have the opportunity to apply for a restricted license.
Drug charges can be very confusing. Simple possession (i.e., possession for personal use only, as opposed to possession with the intent to sell or otherwise distribute the drugs) can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the type of drugs that were found in your possession. Most drug possession charges under Illinois law are felonies, meaning you could face years in prison. Prior convictions for drug offenses could also affect your sentence.
Theft can be either a felony or a misdemeanor offense depending upon the value of the property at issue. Shoplifting or other misdemeanor thefts are punished for less than one year in jail. Meanwhile, Class 1 felony theft (involving property worth anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000) carries a potential prison sentence of anywhere from 4 to 15 years.