Expertise.com
2024

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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Evanston

Our Recommended Top 10

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Evanston Criminal Defense Attorneys on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

64

Reviewed

42

Curated

10

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
2644 Dempster Street Suite 101, Park Ridge, IL 60068
  • Federal Crime
  • Drug Crimes
  • Violent Crimes
  • Sex Crimes

Why choose this provider?

Fagan, Fagan & Davis represents individuals from Evanston who are charged with criminal offenses. The firm develops a strategy to defend clients in criminal matters like theft, drunk driving, the possession of controlled substances, and traffic violations. Its attorneys also work to minimize the charges or penalties for violent crimes like felony burglary, mob action, or murder. They deal with expungement or sealing to clear a person's criminal records. Partner Steve Fagan is a DUI Defense Lawyers Association founding member.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (114)
Facebook
4.9 / 5 (25)
Yelp
4.6 / 5 (21)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Price: Free Consultation

Evanston, IL

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Criminal Defense Attorney in Evanston? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Price: Free booking service | Call 848.Book.Pro!

Website
10024 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL 60077

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Matt Fakhoury LLC is a criminal defense law firm representing the people of Evanston. Founder Matt Fakhoury has over 15 years of experience as a licensed attorney, and his team provides legal counsel and representation to those accused of drunk driving, drug possession and distribution, and robbery. The team also offers post-conviction relief in the form of expungements and appeals. Thomson Reuters named Fakhoury a Super Lawyer in 2020.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Colleen LeFevour - Managing Attorney5 yrs
Caitlin Wilder - Associate Attorney3 yrs
Anna Nolazco - Associate Attorney1 yr
Matt Fakhoury - Principal Attorney19 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (164)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (137)
Facebook
4.6 / 5 (17)

(+2 additional sources)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
53 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604

Why choose this provider?

Raymond G. Bendig, Attorney at Law, is a criminal lawyer that has been serving the people of Evanston for over 30 years. The attorney advocates for his clients during criminal trials and appeals. He has experience with cases involving aggravated assault and battery, organized crime and gang activity, theft and robbery, drunk driving, and drug possession and use. Bendig also provides representation to teenagers who have been accused of juvenile crimes.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Raymond Bendig - Principal26 yrs

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
790 West Frontage Road, Northfield, IL 60093

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Paul Chatzky is a team of civil litigation and criminal justice attorneys near Evanston that has been serving the community for over 30 years. The firm offers representation to clients who have been indicted for sexual and domestic violence, white collar crimes, burglary, and drug manufacturing, possession, and sale. It also handles cases involving probation violations. Founder Paul Chatzky has been named a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Paul Chatzky - Founder41 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
1010 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201

Why choose this provider?

With two offices in the country, Salvatore, Prescott, Porter, & Porter PLLC is a general litigation law firm serving the people of Evanston. One of the firm's primary areas of practice is criminal justice, and its team handles cases involving white collar and financial offenses, cybercrimes, sexual assault, public corruption, and organized crime. It advocates for its clients during indictment, trial, and sentencing. Partner Julie Porter is a Fellow with the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Andrew Porter - Partner32 yrs
Sarah Prescott - Founding Partner17 yrs
Jennifer Salvatore - Founding Partner27 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (10)
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
874 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, IL 60093

Why choose this provider?

Barney & Hourihane LLP is a general litigation law firm working with the people of Evanston and the nearby communities. The firm supports convicted clients during any of their post-trial appeals. Its team examines the circumstances surrounding the original trial to determine if their client was treated unfairly or illegally. It aims to get the conviction overturned. From 2016 to 2019, partner Ian Barney was named a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Ian Barney - Founding Partner13 yrs
Justine Hourihane - Founding Partner15 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
10.0
Justia
10.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
5419 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60640

Why choose this provider?

Feldman Criminal Defense is a penal law firm serving the people of Evanston and the nearby areas. Founding attorney Steve Feldman has been practicing law for over 15 years, and his team has handled criminal cases involving drunk driving, theft and burglary, sexual and domestic violence, and juvenile crimes. It also helps those convicted of drunk driving get their drivers' licenses reinstated. Feldman has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star by Thomson Reuters.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Stephen Feldman - Principal / Owner23 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
701 Main Street, Evanston, IL 60202

Why choose this provider?

Shambee Law Office Ltd. is a general litigation law firm serving the residents of Evanston. The firm provides legal representation and advice to those who have been charged with serious felonies and misdemeanors, such as drunk driving, fraud, counterfeiting, unlawful possession of a firearm, sexual assault, and white collar crimes. It advocates for its clients during the trial and possible appeals. Founder Juneitha Shambee has been honored in the National Black Lawyers' Top 40 Under 40 list.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Juneitha Shambee - Principal9 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.6 / 5 (15)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (11)
Avvo
4.9 / 5 (9)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
200 West Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60606

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Jonathan Minkus is a firm founded by a criminal defense attorney near Evanston. Founder Jonathan Minkus has been practicing law for more than 30 years, and his team provides representation to those who are being charged with armed robbery, assault and battery, sexual assault, and DUIs. The team also offers post-conviction relief, including expungements and appeals. Minkus has been named a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Jonathan Minkus - Senior Partner42 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (17)
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Evanston, Illinois?

    The non-emergency contact number for the Evanston Police Department is 847-866-5000.

  • What is the criminal defense process in Evanston?

    Following their arrest, criminal suspects in Evanston are either given a citation or brought to the precinct to be fingerprinted, photographed, and interviewed. These suspects must then attend their arraignment, where the charges brought against them will be read and a bond amount revealed. If the plea or diversion offer presented at the preliminary status hearings is rejected, a trial date will be set.

  • Which crimes in Evanston get tried in federal court?

    Common crimes in Evanston that get tried in federal rather than state court include drug trafficking and distribution, money laundering, fraud, identity theft, and arson. Meanwhile, crimes such as domestic violence, driving under the influence, burglary, and murder are prosecuted in state court. Federal crimes often carry harsher punishments than state ones.

  • Is marijuana use illegal in Evanston?

    In Evanston, recreational marijuana use is only permitted for adults aged 21 years and above. Individuals must also purchase marijuana from a state-licensed facility, as well as have no more than 30 grams on their person at a time. Additionally, driving while under the influence of marijuana and carrying the substance onto school grounds are considered criminal offenses.

  • How does Evanston handle domestic violence offenses?

    First-time domestic battery offenses in Evanston are considered Class A misdemeanors and are punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,500. However, individuals with repeat domestic battery offenses may be charged with a Class 4 felony, which is punishable by up to six years in jail and a maximum fine of $25,000. The same penalties apply to individuals who violate orders of protection.

  • Who can get their Evanston criminal records sealed?

    Individuals in Evanston who are eligible for records sealing include those who have been convicted of non-violent misdemeanor or felony offenses, including minor traffic offenses, drug possession, and certain prostitution offenses. Meanwhile, criminal offenses that are not eligible for sealing include most violent or sexual offenses, DUIs, domestic battery, and animal cruelty.