Chicago Defense Lawyer

A criminal charge can result in significant fines and penalties. A criminal record can limit your future job opportunities. When you are charged with a crime, you want to take every possible opportunity to protect your rights and reduce or eliminate the charges filed against you. At The Law Office of Steven R. Hunter, we have over 20 years of experience in the aggressive defense of individuals charged with misdemeanors and felonies in state or federal court.

Criminal charges can result in a serious criminal record, fines, loss of license, and severe penalties, including jail time. When your rights and your future are at stake, we offer aggressive representation that gets results. Call us at (312) 466-9466 today for a no-fee office consultation.

Do I need a criminal defense attorney?

If you are considering using a public defender or trying to defend yourself in court, there are number of reasons you should consider hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney in your case:

• From the initial stages of your case, even before your arrest, law enforcement officials will be collecting evidence against you. Understanding your rights from the preliminary stages of your case will protect you against waiving those rights and privileges.
• Law enforcement officials must follow very strict procedures to ensure compliance with the law. An experienced attorney can identify errors in how a case was handled to prevent illegal evidence from being used against you.
• An attorney who understands the nuances of court procedure can articulate your individual circumstances in order to work out a plea bargain or minimize penalties in your case.

Our Process

We begin each case with an in-depth interview with the client. We allow him to tell his attorney, in his own words, what happened and why. Next we begin gathering facts by conducting a thorough investigation. This can consist of obtaining police reports and transcripts, sending subpoenas, interviewing witnesses, or examining evidence that the police have seized. When appropriate, the services of a private investigator are utilized. Often the attorney goes to the crime scene and examines the area. Sometimes we generate photographs, maps or other evidence. Once we have a command of all of the facts, we consult with our clients and develop a theory of the defense.

Next, we file all necessary pre-trial motions, such as a motion for discovery or a motion to suppress evidence or statements. This process usually involves legal research. Legal research is the process of reviewing statutes and written opinions of appellate courts that state rules of law. Sometimes the motions require pre-trial hearings.

It is our preference to be able to go to trial in every case. However, sometimes the client wishes to pursue a plea negotiation, and sometimes that is the best path to take. Even if that is what the client wants, it is always wisest to negotiate from a position of strength. Merely showing up in court and asking for an offer from the prosecutor is not an effective strategy. The best deals are struck when a person has a strong defense. Even if the prosecution has a strong case, it is important to appear like you are ready and willing to go to trial if you do not receive a fair offer. That is why it is important to thoroughly prepare every case, from investigation to closing argument or sentencing.

Our criminal defense team will take the following action in your case:

• At your no-fee consultation we will assess your case and provide you with the information you need to make important decisions in your case and whether to proceed with our services.
• We are effective in asserting our clients' rights in administrative hearings, bond hearings, and other matters involving your liberties, rights, or property.
• We will begin an immediate investigation into your case, including in-depth interviews with witnesses. Our attorney and other experts will go to the crime scene to review evidence.
• We will research and litigate all necessary pretrial motions including violations of reasonable search & seizure and 4th Amendment violations.
• Steven R. Hunter is willing and able to go to the police station to vigorously defend your rights immediately after your arrest.
• In every case we are willing to go to trial and not plead everything out; we vigorously cross-examine witnesses; we create and present mitigation evidence at sentencing.

Contact The Law Office of Steven R. Hunter for a no-fee office consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Aggressive representation from a Chicago, Illinois defense team you can trust. We are experienced in drunk-driving defense and all felonies and misdemeanors.