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Cases Defended
Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney — Available 24/7
We Fight Like Your Freedom Depends On It.
Don't face the criminal justice system alone. Our attorneys have defended 500+ cases across Illinois — aggressively, strategically, and without apology. One call starts your defense.
500+ Cases Defended
20+ Years Experience
95% Favorable Outcomes
24/7 Always Available
Track Record
Results Speak
Louder Than Promises.
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Years Experience
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Favorable Outcomes
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Always Available
Aggressive Representation
We don't negotiate from weakness. Every case is built to win — in court or at the table.
Confidential Consultation
Everything you share is protected by attorney-client privilege from your very first call.
24/7 Emergency Response
Arrests don't wait for business hours. Neither do we. Call any hour, day or night.
Court-Proven Defense
Decades of Illinois courtroom experience across Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties.
Practice Areas
Every Charge Demands
Expert Defense.
Illinois criminal law is nuanced, complex, and unforgiving. We specialize in the charges that carry the highest stakes — because that's exactly when you need the sharpest defense.
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Illinois DUI charges carry severe consequences — license suspension, steep fines, even jail time. We challenge every element: the legality of the traffic stop, breathalyzer calibration records, field sobriety test administration, and chain of custody. Your case has more angles than you realize.
- Challenge the legality of the traffic stop
- Contest breathalyzer accuracy & calibration records
- Petition for driving relief and avoid suspension
- Pursue case dismissal or significant charge reduction
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From simple possession to trafficking allegations, drug charges in Illinois range from Class 4 felonies to Class X felonies carrying decades in prison. We fight to suppress illegally obtained evidence, challenge lab results, and negotiate aggressively for the outcome your future demands.
- Challenge illegal search and seizure
- Contest lab analysis and chain of custody
- Pursue diversion, treatment programs, and supervision
- Fight for charge reduction or full dismissal
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Assault, battery, domestic violence, and homicide charges can result in decades of incarceration. Evidence is perishable. Witness memories fade. The prosecution begins building its case the moment of arrest — your defense should too. We respond immediately, 24 hours a day.
- Immediate investigation and evidence preservation
- Self-defense and defense-of-others arguments
- Challenge witness credibility and identification procedures
- Negotiate reduced charges where strategically appropriate
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From shoplifting to wire fraud and identity theft, property crimes carry both criminal and civil exposure. We challenge the prosecution's evidence at every stage, attack intent elements, and work aggressively to protect your freedom, your professional reputation, and your future before charges become convictions.
- Challenge intent and knowledge elements of fraud charges
- Negotiate for diversion, deferred prosecution, or civil resolution
- Protect professional licenses and industry credentials
- Pursue dismissal through procedural and constitutional defenses
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An Illinois criminal record can block you from jobs, housing, loans, and professional licenses for life. Expungement removes arrests and eligible convictions from public view permanently. Sealing makes records inaccessible to most employers and landlords. We guide you through every step and fight to restore your clean slate.
- Determine expungement vs. sealing eligibility at no cost
- Handle all court filings, fees, and objection responses
- Petition for automatic cannabis conviction expungement
- Restore your record and reopen closed doors
How It Works
What Happens
After You Call.
The moment you call, your defense begins. Here's exactly what to expect when you work with Mercer & Associates — no mystery, no runaround.
Start Now — (312) 847-2938-
You Call — We Answer
Day or night. A real attorney answers your call immediately, assesses your situation, and tells you exactly what not to say or do before we speak again. This call is free and completely confidential.
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Free Case Evaluation
We review the charges, police report, and any available evidence. We identify every legal challenge available to you — illegal stops, suppression opportunities, chain-of-custody issues, and more. No obligation.
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Defense Strategy Briefing
You receive a plain-language explanation of your situation, your realistic options, and a recommended strategy. We believe informed clients make better decisions — and better decisions lead to better outcomes.
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Aggressive Representation
From pre-trial motions to courtroom advocacy, we fight at every stage. We challenge evidence, negotiate firmly, and take cases to trial when that's the strongest path to your best outcome.
Client Testimonials
Real Cases.
Real Outcomes.
My DUI case was dismissed. I thought my career was over — they found a calibration issue with the breathalyzer that the public defender completely missed. These attorneys are worth every cent and then some.
FAQ
Common Questions,
Direct Answers.
If you've been charged with a crime in Illinois, you likely have urgent questions. We answer them plainly — because clarity helps you make better decisions under pressure.
Exercise your right to remain silent immediately — politely state you will not answer questions without an attorney present. Do not consent to searches of your person, vehicle, or property. Request an attorney by name if possible. Do not post anything about your situation on social media. Call a criminal defense attorney as soon as you are permitted — the first 24–48 hours are the most critical window for building a strong defense.
Attorney fees vary significantly by case complexity and charge severity. Misdemeanors typically range from $1,500–$5,000. Felonies range from $5,000–$25,000 or more for complex cases. Many attorneys, including our firm, offer free initial consultations. While cost is a legitimate concern, the financial consequences of a conviction — lost employment, fines, license suspension, civil liability — almost always exceed defense attorney fees by a significant margin.
Not necessarily. Many first-time offenders are eligible for diversion programs, court supervision, conditional discharge, or probation that avoids incarceration entirely. The outcome depends on the specific charge, your history, the quality of evidence, and — critically — the quality of your defense. A skilled attorney can often negotiate for supervision or deferred prosecution that keeps your record completely clean.
Misdemeanor cases typically resolve in 3–6 months. Felony cases can take 6 months to 2 or more years depending on complexity, available evidence, and whether the case proceeds to trial. We work to resolve cases as efficiently as possible without compromising the strength of your defense — sometimes the best outcome requires patience and preparation, not speed.
Yes. Charges are dropped or dismissed for multiple reasons: insufficient evidence, unconstitutional search and seizure, witness unavailability, prosecutorial discretion, or successful pretrial motions. We evaluate every case for suppression motions, speedy trial violations, Brady material issues, and other legal challenges that can produce dismissal before you ever face a jury.
Get Your Defense Started
Time Is Your Most Critical Asset. Use It.
Evidence disappears. Witnesses' memories change. The prosecution starts building its case the moment of arrest. Every hour without legal counsel is an hour spent at a disadvantage you can't afford.
- First 48 hours are the most critical for your defense
- Evidence preservation windows are short — act before they close
- Prosecution begins building its case immediately after arrest
- Your attorney-client privilege begins with your first call
All consultations are 100% confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege.
Request a Free Consultation
Respond within 1 hour during business hours, immediately after hours.