Criminal Defense Attorney in Cook County, IL
A charge is not a conviction. What happens next depends on who's in your corner and how well they know the system they're working inside. I spent years as a Cook County Assistant State's Attorney, prosecuting
DUI cases,
weapons offenses,
drug charges,
domestic battery, and felony matters in the same courthouses where I now represent defendants. I know how the prosecution builds its cases — and where those cases can be challenged.
Available 24/7
For Criminal Defense Emergencies
Former Cook County Prosecutor
Solo Practice: Clients Work Directly with Steven
Free Consultation, No Time Limit
Cook County Criminal Defense, Across Every Charge Type
I represent clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges throughout Cook County. Whether you're dealing with a first-offense DUI, a weapons charge that carries felony exposure, or a domestic battery arrest that happened over the weekend, I'm available by phone or text at any hour — and your case is handled by me personally, not passed to an associate.
Compliance & Ongoing Counsel
Managing annual filings, record-keeping, and state or federal compliance. We often act as outside general counsel for companies without in-house legal staff.
DUI Defense
A DUI arrest in Cook County moves quickly. Your license can be suspended within days, and depending on your record and the circumstances of the stop, the charge can carry felony consequences. I've handled DUI cases from both sides of the courtroom and know exactly how the state builds its case — and where the defense lives.
DUI Defense
A DUI arrest in Cook County moves quickly. Your license can be suspended within days, and depending on your record and the circumstances of the stop, the charge can carry felony consequences. I've handled DUI cases from both sides of the courtroom and know exactly how the state builds its case — and where the defense lives.
Weapons Charges
Weapons charges in Illinois, including Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Agg UUW), FOID card violations, and unlawful possession, carry serious felony exposure even on a first offense. Cook County prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively. I represent clients facing weapons charges throughout the county and appear regularly in the courthouses where these matters are heard.
Drug Possession
Drug possession charges in Illinois range from misdemeanor to Class X felony depending on the substance and quantity involved. A conviction can affect your employment, your housing, and your future. I represent clients across the full spectrum of drug possession charges in Cook County and work to identify every available path forward.
Domestic Battery
Domestic battery arrests in Cook County often result in immediate protective orders and can escalate to felony charges depending on the facts. The consequences reach beyond the courtroom — employment, custody arrangements, and housing can all be affected by a conviction. I represent clients charged with domestic battery and work to build a defense grounded in the full picture of what happened.
Driver's License Reinstatement
A revoked or suspended license in Illinois can compound the consequences of a DUI or other traffic offense long after the original case is closed. The Secretary of State's reinstatement process has specific requirements and timelines that vary based on your history. I help clients navigate that process and build the record needed to get back behind the wheel legally.
Retail Theft
Retail theft charges in Illinois carry consequences that extend well beyond the immediate case — a conviction can appear on background checks and affect employment. Even a first offense can result in a Class A misdemeanor or a felony charge depending on the value involved. I represent clients facing retail theft charges throughout Cook County.
Cook County Courts Are My Home Courts
Most criminal defense attorneys in the south and southwest suburbs operate out of Chicago and list Bridgeview or Markham as coverage areas. I'm based in Bridgeview, and the courthouses I appear in most regularly are the ones my clients' cases are actually heard in.
The Cook County Circuit Court's 5th Municipal District courthouse is in Bridgeview, at 10220 South 76th Avenue. The 6th Municipal District courthouse is in Markham, at 16501 South Kedzie Parkway. These are not satellite courtrooms I travel to occasionally. They're where I've practiced for more than 20 years.
That familiarity matters in ways that are difficult to quantify but easy to feel on your court date: how the process runs in these specific courtrooms, which procedural details matter most, and how local prosecutors approach the charges you're facing.
Arrests Don't Wait for Business Hours. Neither Do I.
Most of the criminal defense calls I receive don't come in at 10 a.m. on a Tuesday. They come in late at night, on weekends, and on holidays — because that's when arrests happen.
If you or someone you know has been arrested in Cook County, you can call or text me directly. I don't route calls through a receptionist or a callback queue for criminal emergencies. You reach me. The first 24 to 48 hours after an arrest are among the most consequential — early legal involvement can shape the entire trajectory of a case, and waiting until the next business day to find representation is a risk you don't need to take.
Testimonials
I can’t thank Steve enough for the work he did on my criminal case. From day one, he was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and straightforward about everything. He responded quickly whenever I had questions and always kept me informed about what was going on. Most importantly, he got my case dismissed.
David Cortez
5 stars across the board! Mr. Skinner was a great help, very professional and knowledgeable. He did what he said he would! I would highly recommend him for all of your legal needs!
Jim Marino
Attorney Skinner handled my daughter’s traffic matter wonderfully! He was very professional and helpful throughout the process.
Keri Moritz
Quick and concise service. Applying for law enforcement, needed to clean up my past ASAP, Mr Skinner ensured the job got done in time for the next hiring cycle. A blessing no doubt!! Knowledgeable and professional, well mannered, I recommended highly.
Steven Quiroz
What should I do immediately after being arrested in Cook County?
Say nothing to law enforcement beyond identifying yourself. Do not answer questions, explain the situation, or make any statements until you have spoken with a defense attorney. Contact a criminal defense lawyer as quickly as possible — the decisions made in the first 24 to 48 hours after an arrest can affect the entire case.
What is the best criminal defense attorney in Cook County able to do for me that a public defender cannot?
A private criminal defense attorney can give your case undivided attention from the moment you call. Public defenders carry significant caseloads that limit the time available for each client. I handle every case personally, I'm available outside of business hours for criminal emergencies, and your case gets my full attention from the first consultation through the final resolution.
Can I call a criminal defense lawyer in the middle of the night after an arrest in Cook County?
Yes. I'm available by phone or text at any hour for criminal defense emergencies. If you've been arrested after hours, on a weekend, or on a holiday, call or text me directly. You won't reach an answering service.
Do drug, weapons, and DUI charges in Cook County carry felony exposure on a first offense?
Yes, in many cases. Illinois law establishes felony thresholds for drug possession, weapons offenses, and DUI that can apply even to first-time offenders depending on the substance, quantity, weapon type, or circumstances of the arrest. These charges warrant serious legal representation from the start, not after a first court appearance.
Can a criminal record from Cook County be expunged or sealed?
Depending on the charge and outcome, some criminal records in Illinois are eligible for expungement or sealing, which can remove or restrict public access to the record. Eligibility depends on several factors including the specific charge, the disposition of the case, and how much time has passed. Contact me to discuss whether your record may qualify.
Steven Skinner is a Bridgeview, Illinois criminal defense attorney with more than 20 years of experience representing clients in Cook County courts. A graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law and a former Cook County Assistant State's Attorney, he represents clients facing DUI, weapons, drug, domestic battery, retail theft, and license reinstatement matters throughout the county. His office is located at 7548 West 103rd St, Bridgeview, IL 60455. Learn more about his background and credentials on the About page.
Talk to a Cook County Criminal Defense Attorney Today
If you've been arrested or charged with a crime in Cook County, the sooner you have legal representation, the more options remain available to you. Consultations are free and have no time limit.