Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyers

How Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help

We defend individuals across Chicago facing charges ranging from misdemeanors to the most serious felonies. We handle violent crimes such as murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, and domestic violence, building defense strategies that challenge evidence, witness credibility, and the prosecution’s narrative. Each case demands careful preparation to protect our clients’ rights and freedom.

We also represent clients accused of drug and weapons offenses, including felony drug trafficking and unlawful firearm possession. These charges frequently stem from investigations involving search warrants, confidential informants, and surveillance. Our team scrutinizes every detail of police procedures and constitutional issues to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and pursue dismissals or reductions wherever the facts support them.

Attorney Sarah Toney’s scientific training goes beyond courtroom familiarity with evidence. She attended an invitation-only DNA seminar with international forensic expert Dr. Greg Hampikian at his Boise State University lab, completing hands-on DNA extraction, analysis, and statistical work. Dr. Hampikian served as an expert witness in the Amanda Knox trial. Sarah has also completed a Forensic Drug Chemistry course sanctioned by the American Chemical Society, led by the scientists who introduced the first drug-testing machine to the United States, and hands-on training with the EC/IR breathalyzer machines and blood-testing equipment used in Illinois DUI cases. She authored a chapter on field sobriety testing for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s DUI Guidebook. That depth of forensic knowledge directly informs how we challenge lab results, chain of custody, and technical evidence in Cook County courts.

We also handle DUI, reckless homicide, theft, fraud, and white-collar crimes, as well as post-conviction matters including probation violations and expungement. No matter the charge, we provide dedicated representation to pursue a fair and aggressive defense.

Our Comprehensive Defense Strategy

We don’t rely on simple luck; we rely on preparation, strategy, and a strong command of criminal procedure. Our firm builds a defense tailored to the precise facts and charges you’re facing.

Our defense strategies often focus on challenging the following common points of prosecution failure:

• Constitutional Violations: We file motions to suppress evidence stemming from an illegal traffic stop, an unlawful search of your vehicle or home, or a violation of your Miranda rights regarding statements made in custody.
• Eyewitness Credibility and Bias: Eyewitness testimony is often faulty. We use cross-examination to expose inconsistencies, poor identification procedures, and any underlying bias or motive a witness may have for falsely identifying the accused.
• Forensic and Technical Evidence: In cases involving DNA, ballistics, or drug residue, we challenge the chain of custody, the accuracy of lab equipment, and the interpretation of results by State experts. We consult independent forensic experts to offer alternative conclusions when the evidence warrants it.
• Alibi and Mistaken Identity: We launch immediate investigations to gather video evidence, secure third-party witnesses, and obtain time-stamped documentation that shows you were elsewhere when the alleged crime occurred.
• Lack of Intent: For crimes like theft, burglary, or fraud, we focus on proving that you lacked the requisite intent to commit the crime, which is a required element for conviction under Illinois law.

Why Clients Choose The Toney Law Firm, LLC

Sarah Toney has been selected to Super Lawyers every year from 2015 through 2026 and named among the Top 100 Lawyers in Illinois. The Illinois State Bar Association named her Young Lawyer of the Year in 2014, and the Women’s Bar Association recognized her as Top Woman Lawyer in Leadership in 2021. She has served on the ISBA’s Traffic Laws and Courts committee for more than 10 years and is on staff at the Trial Lawyers College, where she teaches trial skills. Her concurrent role as an Adjunct Professor at Loyola University of Chicago School of Law since 2006 keeps our approach to criminal law and evidence continuously updated. Sarah has been quoted in the Illinois Bar Journal on expungements and discovery rights, and she appeared on Fox 32 to discuss the arraignment of the Highland Park parade shooting suspect, who faced 117 felony counts.

That recognition reflects a practice built on a team approach: no client is handled by a single overworked attorney. Cases receive collective preparation across our firm.

• 24/7 Accessibility: Criminal issues don’t adhere to business hours. We’re available around the clock to provide immediate counsel during the critical moments following an arrest.
• Bilingual Services: We offer bilingual services to ensure that language is never a barrier to understanding your rights or accessing a strong defense.
• Free Consultations: We offer free consultations so you can discuss your case and understand your options without any financial obligation.

Make an appointment with our Chicago criminal defense attorneys today. Call (888) 473-4058 or schedule a FREE consultation online.