Criminal Charges Move Fast in Illinois—You Need a Lawyer Faster
When you’re arrested in Chicago, everything changes in an instant. You’re taken into custody, booked, and suddenly under the control of the criminal justice system. But what happens next—and how it affects your future—depends on one critical decision: whether you hire a criminal defense lawyer right away.
Illinois criminal law doesn’t wait for you to get comfortable. The police report is filed within hours. The Cook County State’s Attorney evaluates your case almost immediately. Formal charges could be filed before you even see a judge. And once that happens, every word, action, or delay on your part could be used against you.