When facing criminal charges in Illinois, the most important decision you can make, beyond keeping your mouth shut, is choosing the right attorney. While experience in criminal law is essential, it is equally important that your lawyer is familiar with the specific courthouse where your case will be heard. If you have a case at the north suburban Skokie Courthouse, the attorney you hire should be there representing clients on a regular basis.
The common saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” holds true in criminal court. The courtroom familiarity and relationships with the Judges and clerks that your lawyer brings to the table can majorly affect the outcome of your case. It shouldn’t be that way, but it’s the reality. And this is true in most courthouses in Illinois and presumably in the country.
At the Skokie courthouse, located at 5600 Old Orchard Road, criminal cases ranging from retail theft to unlawful use of a weapon to domestic battery are heard every day. Prosecutors rotate frequently, but many of the Judges at this courthouse serve for years, sometimes decades.A seasoned attorney who appears regularly in the Skokie courthouse will be familiar with the tendencies and expectations of the presiding Judges. They will understand which arguments are most persuasive in each courtroom. They will know how Judges approach sentencing, especially for first-time versus repeat offenders. Even subtle insights, like knowing which judge tends to end court early on Fridays, or which ones are more receptive to certain plea deals, can influence your case.
While outcomes can never be guaranteed, the reality is that two defendants with similar charges can receive vastly different outcomes on the same day, simply because of who represents them. An attorney unfamiliar with the Skokie courthouse may be competent in general, but may not have the insight or courtroom credibility that comes from consistently practicing there. A good result doesn’t always mean complete dismissal of the charges.
Sometimes, it means probation instead of jail time. Or a reduced sentence, such as six months instead of three years. Or keeping your record clean and getting you in a diversion program.
Judges are people to and just as you would treat someone you are around all of the time differently than someone you don’t expect to see again, Judges will at times treat “regulars” better than they do outsiders.
We work closely with experienced criminal defense attorneys who appear in the Skokie courthouse on a regular basis and have a proven track record of success. That of course doesn’t guarantee a result, but in our opinion increases your chances of success. If you need guidance or would like a free, confidential referral to an attorney who knows their way around the Skokie court system, call us any time at 312-346-5320.
