Chicago Lawyer
Chicago Lawyer
For helpful tips finding Chicago Lawyer please see our guide to choose a lawyer in the right column. For your convenience we have included resources for you to continue your search below.
Illinois Constitution Excerpts
SECTION 1. INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHTS
All men are by nature free and independent and have
certain inherent and inalienable rights among which are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these rights
and the protection of property, governments are instituted
among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the
governed.
SECTION 2. DUE PROCESS AND EQUAL PROTECTION
No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property
without due process of law nor be denied the equal protection
of the laws.
SECTION 3. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession
and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be
guaranteed, and no person shall be denied any civil or
political right, privilege or capacity, on account of his
religious opinions; but the liberty of conscience hereby
secured shall not be construed to dispense with oaths or
affirmations, excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify
practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the State.
No person shall be required to attend or support any ministry
or place of worship against his consent, nor shall any
preference be given
SECTION 4. FREEDOM OF SPEECH
All persons may speak, write and publish freely, being
responsible for the abuse of that liberty. In trials for
libel, both civil and criminal, the truth, when published
with good motives and for justifiable ends, shall be a
sufficient defense.
SECTION 5. RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE AND PETITION
The people have the right to assemble in a peaceable
manner, to consult for the common good, to make known their
opinions to their representatives and to apply for redress of
grievances.
SECTION 6. SEARCHES, SEIZURES, PRIVACY AND INTERCEPTIONS
The people shall have the right to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers and other possessions against
unreasonable searches, seizures, invasions of privacy or
interceptions of communications by eavesdropping devices or
other means. No warrant shall issue without probable cause,
supported by affidavit particularly describing the place to
be searched and the persons or things to be seized.
SECTION 7. INDICTMENT AND PRELIMINARY HEARING
No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense
unless on indictment of a grand jury, except in cases in
which the punishment is by fine or by imprisonment other than
in the penitentiary, in cases of impeachment, and in cases
arising in the militia when in actual service in time of war
or public danger. The General Assembly by law may abolish the
grand jury or further limit its use.
No person shall be held to answer for a crime punishable
by death or by imprisonment in the penitentiary unless either
the initial charge has been brought by indictment of a grand
jury or the person has been given a prompt preliminary
hearing to establish probable cause.
SECTION 8. RIGHTS AFTER INDICTMENT
In criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have the
right to appear and defend in person and by counsel; to
demand the nature and cause of the accusation and have a copy
thereof; to be confronted with the witnesses against him or
her and to have process to compel the attendance of witnesses
in his or her behalf; and to have a speedy public trial by an
impartial jury of the county in which the offense is alleged
to have been committed.
SECTION 8.1. CRIME VICTIM'S RIGHTS.
(a) Crime victims, as defined by law, shall have the
following rights as provided by law:
(1) The right to be treated with fairness and
respect for their dignity and privacy throughout the
criminal justice process.
(2) The right to notification of court proceedings.
(3) The right to communicate with the prosecution.
(4) The right to make a statement to the court at
sentencing.
(5) The right to information about the conviction,
sentence, imprisonment, and release of the accused.
(6) The right to timely disposition of the case
following the arrest of the accused.
(7) The right to be reasonably protected from the
accused throughout the criminal justice process.
(8) The right to be present at the trial and all
other court proceedings on the same basis as the accused,
unless the victim is to testify and the court determines
that the victim's testimony would be materially affected
if the victim hears other testimony at the trial.
(9) The right to have present at all court
proceedings, subject to the rules of evidence, an
advocate or other support person of the victim's choice.
(10) The right to restitution.
(b) The General Assembly may provide by law for the
enforcement of this Section.
(c) The General Assembly may provide for an assessment
against convicted defendants to pay for crime victims'
rights.
(d) Nothing in this Section or in any law enacted under
this Section shall be construed as creating a basis for
vacating a conviction or a ground for appellate relief in any
criminal case.
SECTION 12. RIGHT TO REMEDY AND JUSTICE
Every person shall find a certain remedy in the laws for
all injuries and wrongs which he receives to his person,
privacy, property or reputation. He shall obtain justice by
law, freely, completely, and promptly.
Source: Illinois Library of Congress
Choosing a Lawyer
Do I really need to hire a lawyer in Chicago? This is the first question you need to ask yourself. In many cases you may be able to handle the situation without hiring a lawyer. If it is a small problem that can be managed without the consultation of a professional you may be able to save a considerable amount of money. If it is a serious situatuion than it is important that you speak with a good lawyer as soon as possible to avoid any long term problems..
Where can I find the best Chicago lawyers? There are many ways to find a great lawyer online that is local to your area. You can search in directories online where a great deal of information is available about each law firm and partner. You can also check with local associations for referrals and recommendations. While every issue is important there is one final question you should ask yourself before hiring a lawyer in Chicago. Are you comfortable with that lawyer and are you confident in their abilities? If the answer is anything other than a resounding "yes " you should keep looking for the lawyer that is right for you.
Lawyers typically specialize in the following fields:
- Administrative Law
- Agriculture Law
- Antitrust & Trade Regulation
- Banking Law
- Bankruptcy Law
- Civil Rights
- Commercial Law
- Communications Law
- Constitutional Law
- Construction Law
- Contracts
- Corporation & Enterprise Law
- Criminal Law
- Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
- Divorce Law
- Education Law
- Entertainment & Sports Law
- Environmental Law
- Family Law
- Gaming Law
- Health Law
- Immigration Law
- Injury and Tort Law
- Insurance Law
- Intellectual Property
- International Law
- Labor & Employment Law
- Litigation
- Military Law
- Personal Injury Law
- Probate, Trusts & Estates
- Property Law & Real Estate
- Securities Law
- Tax Law
- Transportation Law
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