Being arrested or accused of a crime can leave you feeling scared and uncertain about where to turn. You need an experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner from the very start. At Kent Law, L.L.C., we have handled more than 10,000 criminal cases and boast a combined 45 years of experience. We understand how prosecutors think and are prepared to use our experience on your behalf, no matter how dire the situation looks. Unlike other firms, we don’t restrict our practice to minor offenses. We handle some of the most serious criminal accusations in DuPage County, cases that require intensive knowledge and dedication to the rule of law.

In DuPage County, a conviction can result in serious legal consequences, including substantial fines and even jail time. Additionally, there are unforeseen collateral consequences that can last for years after any court-imposed sentence has concluded. These include administrative suspension of your license after an arrest, problems obtaining employment or an apartment because of your criminal record, difficulty getting into college because of your criminal history, and reduced chances of obtaining custody of your children. The repercussions of an arrest or conviction ripple outwards for years, severely affecting your life.

Some lawyers run criminal defense mills, barely understanding the facts of your case when speaking to the judge. They encourage you to take the first plea offered and convince you not to hold out for a better deal. At Kent Law, L.L.C., we build our cases from the ground up by first understanding the facts and circumstances surrounding the offense. As former prosecutors, we know where to look for evidence and do not assume that the state will hand over everything voluntarily. We leave no stone unturned as we look to find out what really happened and what evidence the state has in its possession.

Many criminal defense lawyers are not aggressive enough in their representation of accused clients. As former prosecutors, we understand that the state’s evidence is often weaker than it appears. Many prosecutors bring cases for publicity and make critical errors. As part of your defense, a DuPage County criminal defense lawyer can often challenge the admissibility of evidence, keep witnesses and prejudicial information out of court, and pick a fair and unbiased jury. By fighting the charges, we keep prosecutors on their toes and make them realize that if they want to convict you, they will have a fight on their hands.

In addition to fighting your charge, we can also seek to expunge your arrest. This means there will not be a record of the arrest, or that no one apart from the police can see it. Expungement is critical for allowing those unjustly accused of crimes to return to their normal lives. When you apply for a job or apartment, you never have to disclose an expunged conviction.

Many problems crop up after a conviction, including probation or parole violations that could derail your chances of rebuilding your life. At Kent Law, we bring deep experience to these cases and have fought to maintain many clients’ parole or probation. Defenses you can raise to parole/probation violations include involuntary reasons for not reporting, such as being ill in a hospital, inability to pay restitution due to lack of money, and inaccurate drug tests. Violating parole or probation can result in jail time, a nightmare scenario you were lucky to avoid in the first place.

In some situations, early termination of probation or parole might be available, relieving you of time-consuming appointments. To better understand if that is an option, you should speak with a criminal defense attorney in DuPage County today. At Kent Law, L.L.C., our attorneys have the experience necessary to fight the charges against you. Our lawyers have been recognized by many prestigious organizations, including Top Lawyers in America. Timothy Martin, one of our founders, has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in Illinois, an honor given to those nominated by their peers who show excellence in professional achievement.