Law Office of Michael Finn

I am a private criminal defense attorney in Chicago, Illinois.  I defend people in Cook County, Illinois, and in the surrounding counties.  My practice focuses on defending people who have been accused of committing crimes.  Additionally, I protect and counsel people who are being investigated for involvement in criminal activity.  If you have been charged with a crime or if you are being investigated by the government or police, I will see to it that you benefit from the full protection of the law.

After passing the Illinois State Bar Examination, I accepted an associate attorney position with Mr. Petro’s Law Office, where I worked for the next year and a half.  During this period of time, I gained a lot of experience in the courtroom and enhanced my trial skills.  In addition, I spent time working on criminal appeals, researching case law and writing appellate briefs.

In October of 2005, I opened my own law firm.  Criminal law continues to be my specialty.  I enjoy the work.  I get a great deal of satisfaction fighting for my clients and ensuring that nobody whom I represent gets bulldozed or otherwise abused by the government.

I practice criminal defense law, defending  the rights of people who have been charged with committing a crime.  I represent adult defendants, as well as alleged juvenile offenders.  I defend people who have been accused of committing federal offenses or state offenses, as well as violating the vehicle code or city ordinances.  As a true believer in the sacredness of the United States Constitution, I am a staunch protector of the rights of the individual and a vigorous advocate against abuses of the police power.
  
I represent defendants at every stage in the criminal justice system; including during bond hearings, felony preliminary hearings and Grand Jury investigations.  To prepare for hearings, I strategize with my clients face to face, even with those who are being held in jail or prison.  I file pretrial motions; for example, motions to reduce bond, motions to suppress evidence illegally seized, and motions to suppress confessions illegally obtained.  I take cases to trial or I negotiate with government attorneys for fair plea terms, if my client so desires.  I do whatever necessary for favorable resolution to all my clients' legal dilemmas.  These are some of the areas in which I specialize:
  
Aggravated Battery of a Child

Aggravated Battery with a Firearm

Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm

Armed Robbery

Assault

Attempt Murder

Battery

Battery of an Unborn Child

Burglary

Cannabis Trafficking

Child Abandonment

Child Abduction

Child Pornography

Computer Fraud

Computer Tampering

Concealment of Homicidal Death

Criminal Damage to Property

Criminal Drug Conspiracy

Criminal Sexual Abuse

Criminal Sexual Assault

Criminal Transmission of HIV

Criminal Trespass to Property

Cyberstalking

Deceptive Altering or Sale of Coins

Deceptive Collection Practices

Dismembering a Human Body

Disorderly Conduct

Domestic Battery

Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License

Drug-induced Homicide

Drug-induced Infliction of Great Bodily Harm

DUI

Eavesdropping

Electronic Fencing

Endangering the Life or Health of a Child

Exploitation of a Child

Failure to Display a Business License

Federal Habeas Corpus

Financial Institution Fraud

Forcible Detention

Forgery

Harassment by Telephone

Hate Crime

Health Care Benefits Fraud

Heinous Battery

Home Invasion

Identity Theft

Indecent Solicitation of a Child

Inducement to Commit Suicide

Intentional Homicide of an Unborn Child

Intimidation

Involuntary Manslaughter

Keeping a Place of Prostitution

Kidnapping

Loan Fraud

Manufacture or Delivery of Cannabis

Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance

Murder

Obscenity

Obstructing Justice

Online Sale of Stolen Property

Online Theft by Deception

Pandering

Pimping

Possession of Burglary Tools

Possession of Cannabis

Possession of a Controlled Substance

Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to
Deliver

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Possession of a Stolen Firearm

Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (PSMV)

Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child

Prostitution

Public Aid Wire Fraud

Public Aid Mail Fraud

Public Indecency

Reckless Discharge of a Firearm

Reckless Conduct

Reckless Homicide

Residential Burglary

Resisting a Peace Officer

Retail Theft

Ritual Mutilation

Robbery

Sale of Body Parts

Selling Liquor to a Minor

Selling Liquor Without a License

Selling Second-Hand Merchandise Without a License

Sexual Exploitation of a Child

Solicitation of Murder

Solicitation of Murder for Hire

Solicitation of a Sexual Act

Soliciting for a Prostitute

Soliciting for a Juvenile Prostitute

Stalking

State Benefits Fraud

Statutory Summery Suspension

Theft

Theft of Advertising Services

Theft from Coin-Operated Machines

Theft of Labor or Services or Use of Property

Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property

Theft of Wireless Service

Threatening Public Officials

Unlawful Interference with Public Utility Services

Unlawful Restraint

Unlawful Use of a Weapon (UUW)

Unlawful Use of Recorded Sounds or Images

Unlawful Use of Unidentified Sound Recordings

Vehicular Endangerment

Violation of Bail Bond (VOBB)

Violation of an Order of Protection (VOOP)

Violation of Probation (VOP)

Voluntary Manslaughter of an Unborn Child
  
 
I also represent clients who have been convicted at trial and wish to appeal their criminal convictions or sentences.  Post-Conviction proceeding are a part of my law firm's practice, which includes habeas corpus writs.  Many of my clients use my services for expungement of arrest records, sealment of criminal records, and executive clemency petitions.

Do I have a right to an attorney?

Yes.  If you have been arrested for committing a crime or if you are the focus of a criminal investigation, you have the right to consult with a private attorney.  If you are unable to afford a private attorney, you have the right to consult with a public defense attorney after your indigent status has been determined by a judge.  The Cook County Public Defender’s Office is available to give accused indigents important legal advice.

Should I hire an attorney?

The criminal justice system is vast and complex.  It is unlikely that any defendant would not benefit from the advice of an attorney.  Even if a defendant wishes to represent himself at trial, there is usually much he may learn from an attorney about possible defenses, rules of evidence, criminal procedure, trial strategy and tactics, controlling case law, and consequences of conviction, as well as other important considerations.

When should I call or hire an attorney?

In almost every case, the sooner a person hires an attorney to represent him, the more likely he is to avoid being deceived or manipulated by the police or other government authorities.  You may benefit greatly to consult with an attorney as soon as you become aware that the police or any other government agency has made you a part of a criminal investigation.  An attorney can intervene with the police and either prevent an arrest or, if you are going to be arrested, arrange for your surrender at a time and in a manner that minimizes embarrassment to you or your family. Retaining a lawyer also prevents the police from questioning you.

Do I need an attorney if I’m innocent?

People do get accused of committing crimes that they did not commit. Specifically, people who may have committed one crime often get accused of committing additional and more serious crimes that they did not commit.  Sadly, some are even convicted and sent to jail for crimes that they did not commit.  In this country, whether you did or did not commit the crime for which you have been accused, you have a right to remain silent.  Even if you are innocent and have nothing to hide, it can be very beneficial to have an attorney speak on your behalf.  Like all people accused of committing a crime, innocent defendants need zealous representation to ensure that their rights are protected and that the truth prevails.

Do I need an attorney if I’m going to plead guilty?

If you committed the crime with which you have been charged and you decide that you are going to plead guilty to committing that crime, you may still benefit from the advice of an attorney.  An attorney may assist you during the plea bargaining process to ensure that you are not deceived or taken advantage of by government attorneys.  Having an attorney during your plea may minimize the penalty you would otherwise face.
  
What is bail?

Bail is not a fine.  Nor is it a punishment.  Rather, bail is money or property a defendant, or someone on behalf of a defendant, posts to have the defendant released from custody pending the resolution of his case.  Bail may also include certain behavioral restrictions; for example, no contact with the alleged victim in the case.  The money or property is held by the Court to ensure that the defendant will return for his scheduled court dates.  If the defendant shows up for his court dates, the bail (minus a processing fee taken by the clerk) will be returned at the end of the case, even if the defendant is convicted and sent to prison.  On the other hand, if the defendant does not show up for court, the bail will be forfeited and will not be returned.  A judge will set the amount of the bail after considering different factors, such as the following:

•        Risk of the defendant fleeing the jurisdiction to avoid prosecution;
•        Defendant’s ties to the community, such as family or a steady job;
•        Type of crime alleged to have been committed by the defendant;
•        Dangerousness of the defendant to others or to himself; and
•        Safety of the community to which the defendant will be released.

Sometimes a judge releases a defendant on his own recognizance (without a payment of money or property), solely on the promise that he will appear for all his scheduled court dates.  Other times, a judge will not release a defendant and will place a hold on his bail, which means that the defendant is not allowed to post bail to be released from custody.  A judge may do this after learning that the defendant is currently out on parole and may have violated his parole by picking up a new case.

Chicago IL Criminal Defense Lawyer