CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Experienced Lake County, Illinois
Criminal Defense, DUI, TRAFFIC & JUVENILE COURT Attorney

Criminal charges have serious implications, all of which together can leave you feeling vulnerable. You fear for your job, your personal freedom, and any potential impact on your family. In a time like this, having an attorney on your side with proven criminal defense experience can be the difference between hope for a positive outcome and despair.

I am the founder of Michael J. Conway Attorney at Law, L.L.C. I have over 25 years of experience aggressively defending the rights of people in Waukegan and throughout Northeastern Illinois who are facing a range of criminal charges. Whether you have been charged with a serious felony or misdemeanor, I will use my experience to zealously defend you and protect your rights.

Direct Attorney Representation - Thorough Case Investigations

From the start of your case onward, you will work directly with an experienced trial lawyer who will listen to your side of the story, and then work to defend your interests throughout the legal process. I will review the facts of your case in order to find evidence that could lead to a dismissal of charges. If charges cannot be dismissed, I will work to find case law to support your position and will argue effectively on your behalf in plea negotiations or in trial proceedings.

I defend my clients in a range of felonies and misdemeanors including:

  • Murder and weapon offenses
  • Theft, robbery, and burglary
  • Assault and domestic battery
  • DUI/drunk driving and other traffic offenses
  • Drug offenses, including drug possession and trafficking
  • Sexual offenses, including sexual abuse and sexual assault
  • Municipal violations
  • Juvenile charges
My goal is to find any information that could be used to build a strong defense against your criminal charges. If necessary, I will take on an investigative role in order to find this information, including interviewing witnesses, taking pictures, tracking down records, and – in some cases – hiring an independent investigator.

Have you, a family member or close friend been arrested or charged on suspicion of DUI?

You should use the services of my law office, Michael J. Conway Attorney at Law, L.L.C., in Waukegan. I have an extensive understanding of how drunk driving, driving under the influence of drugs, and other criminal cases are handled, as I have over 25 years of experience as a lawyer. I am dedicated to helping you understand your options for fighting the charges and to protect your rights, family, and future.
Protecting Your Rights After a DUI Arrest
Illinois is just one of many states across the country that is instituting harsher penalties for drunk driving. DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs) charges are serious and require aggressive attention from an experienced criminal defense attorney.
DUI Penalties
Whether you are convicted after a trial or negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutor, punishments for DUI are extremely severe. Even for a first offense, anyone accused of DUI is facing the prospect of:
  • Significant Fines and Costs
  • Loss of a driver’s license (suspension or revocation)
  • Ignition interlock device installation in the family vehicle
In addition, a conviction will result in a criminal record. Since there is no specific “look-back” period in Illinois for DUI, any previous convictions are considered when someone is sentenced. For example, if you were convicted or plead guilty to DUI in 2000 and then charged with a subsequent DUI offense, the latter offense would be considered a second DUI and subject to the increased penalties associated with that level of offense. Additionally, the more DUIs that a person has in their background, the more severe the potential punishments. Also, if a drunk driving violation is charged as a felony, the penalties are enhanced. The more DUIs, the more severe the punishments.
Protecting Your Rights Every Step of The Way
We can seek to lessen the punishment for a conviction or even seek a dismissal of the case in many ways. I will examine all aspects of the circumstances of your arrest to determine your rights were violated or if the police did not follow standard procedures. The results of any field sobriety tests as well as breath, blood, and urine tests can be called into question. The bottom line: Do not go through this alone. Having an experienced attorney on your side can help assure a positive outcome for your case.
Choose an Experienced Criminal Defense Law Firm
When your rights are on the line, experience matters. To put my criminal defense experience to work in your defense, contact my office online or call (847) 599-1969. I offer a free initial consultation to all prospective clients.

Need an Experienced Lake County, Illinois, Juvenile Law Attorney?

When a minor is arrested or otherwise referred to Juvenile Court regarding an allegation of juvenile delinquency, having an attorney on your side with proven experience in Juvenile Court is essential for the effective representation of that child. Similarly, if you are a parent facing an allegation of neglect or abuse, and you are at risk of having your children removed from your custody and care, you need to have legal representation by a lawyer that understands both the process in the Juvenile Court system and D.C.F.S. procedures.

At Michael J. Conway Attorney at Law, L.L.C., I have 25 years of experience aggressively defending the rights of parents and minors in Vernon Hills and throughout Northeastern Illinois who are facing a range of allegations. You can be assured that I will use my juvenile law experience to zealously defend you and protect your rights whether the delinquency allegation is a serious felony or misdemeanor or if the abuse or neglect allegations are such that D.C.F.S. has taken protective custody of your children.

I defend Juvenile delinquency clients in a range of felonies and misdemeanors including:

  • Murder and weapon offenses
  • Theft, robbery, and burglary
  • Assault and domestic battery
  • Drug offenses, including drug possession and trafficking
  • Sexual offenses, including sexual abuse and sexual assault
  • Offenses on School Grounds
My objective is to determine any facts and information that could be used to build a strong defense against your delinquency, abuse, or neglect charges. If necessary, I will personally conduct my own research and investigation in order to obtain this information, including interviewing witnesses, taking pictures, locating records, and – in some cases – hiring an independent investigator.

Juvenile Delinquency/Abuse and Neglect

At my Michael J. Conway Attorney at Law, L.L.C., a law firm in Waukegan, I carefully handle complex matters involving juveniles in two ways — in criminal law and delinquency context, when laws are broken and a family’s reputation is at stake; and when abuse and neglect of a juvenile leads to involvement from the Department of Children and Family Services.

When a minor is arrested or referred to juvenile court after an allegation of juvenile delinquency, your attorney should possess proven criminal defense experience in juvenile court in order to effectively represent that child’s legal rights.

On the family law side of this question, if you are a parent facing neglect or abuse allegations, and you are at risk of losing custody and care of your children, you should retain the quality services of a lawyer who understands the process in the juvenile court system, as well as DCFS procedures.

I have more than 25 years of experience with safeguarding the rights of parents and minors in northeastern Illinois when they face a range of credible allegations. I use this valuable background to zealously defend your interests, whether the delinquency allegation is a serious felony or misdemeanor, or if the abuse or neglect allegations are to the point that DCFS has taken protective custody of your children.

Decades of Trusted Juvenile Defense Experience on Your Side in Northeastern Illinois

I present effective arguments for trial proceedings, motions, and plea negotiations when a juvenile is charged with a felony or misdemeanor such as:
  • Murder and manslaughter
  • Weapons violations
  • Theft crimes, including robbery, burglary, breaking and entering, and shoplifting
  • Simple and aggravated assault
  • Domestic battery
  • Drug offenses such as possession, trafficking, cultivation and drug paraphernalia
  • Sexual offenses
  • Underage drinking
  • Drinking and driving
  • Offenses on School Grounds
Seek an Experienced Juvenile Defense Law Firm
When your rights are on the line, experience matters. To put my Juvenile Court experience to work in your defense, contact my office online or call (847) 599-1969. I offer a free initial consultation to all prospective clients.
Share by: