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Criminal Defense Lawyer Chicago, IL. Put an Aggressive Defense Attorney in Your Corner.

Combs Waterkotte's criminal defense attorneys are proud to offer exceptional legal defense services for the people of Chicago and Cook County, Illinois. We provide the same level of focus and dedication to every case, from low-level misdemeanors to high-stakes felony offenses. From your initial consultation, our firm will help you navigate the complex, intimidating Illinois legal system and will fight hard to minimize the impact of your criminal charges on your life and career. Whether you’re facing a gun charge, a traffic offense, a DUI, a sex crime, or an assault charge, our priority is building you the best criminal defense we can, and we’ll stop at nothing to get you the best result possible.

Best DWI Lawyers St. Louis | Top-Rated DWI Defense Attorneys
Best DWI Lawyers St. Louis | Top-Rated DWI Defense Attorneys

    Cases Handled

    Over 10,000

    Jail Days Saved

    Over 1 Million

    Google Reviews

    500+ Perfect

    Legal Experience

    Over 80 Years


    Criminal Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois

    Choose a Combs Waterkotte Criminal Defense Attorney in Chicago Today



    (312) 500-HELP

    Attorneys are Available 24/7

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    “Words can’t even describe how happy I am with this law firm but I’ll try. They always kept in touch with me and definitely worked hard on my case. I couldn’t have been more happy with the results I got in the end and I also …”

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    “Words can’t even describe how happy I am with this law firm but I’ll try. They always kept in touch with me and definitely worked hard on my case. I couldn’t have been more happy with the results I got in the end and I also felt kinda like family with how ni …”

    Client Review (Google)

    Read All Reviews

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    cnn | Combs Waterkotte
    fox | Combs Waterkotte
    nbc | Combs Waterkotte
    Yahoo | Combs Waterkotte
    USA Today | Combs Waterkotte
    The Washington Post | Combs Waterkotte
    St. Louis Post-Dispatch | Combs Waterkotte
    The New York Times | Combs Waterkotte
    MSN | Combs Waterkotte
    Miami Herald | Combs Waterkotte
    KTVI 2 | Combs Waterkotte
    KMOV 4 | Combs Waterkotte
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    Investigation Discovery | Combs Waterkotte
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    Hire a Proven Chicago, IL Criminal Lawyer

    • Over 1 Million Jail Days Saved for Our Clients
    • Over 500 Five-Star Google Reviews
    • Hundreds of Chicago, Illinois Criminal Cases Closed
    • Over 60 Years of Combined Legal Experience in Chicago
    • Dozens of Endorsements from Our Legal Peers
    Best Chicago Defense Attorneys | Cook County Criminal Lawyers
    Chicago IL Criminal Attorneys | Best Cook County Criminal Lawyers
    Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Me | Chicago and Cook County Criminal Attorneys
    Best Chicago Criminal Lawyers | Cook County Defense Attorneys
    Chicago Criminal Defense Law Firm | Defense Attorney Near Me

    Cook County Defense Attorney

    Choose a Chicago, IL Criminal Lawyer Who Will Take on Any Charge


    The Illinois Criminal Code is long and complicated, but that doesn’t slow us down. Combs Waterkotte’s criminal defense lawyers aren’t afraid to take on the cases that other firms call “unwinnable.” From DUIs and car accidents to weapons charges and domestic violence, our defense attorneys are ready to take on your case. And if you’re on a budget, don’t worry — we offer customized payment plans to ensure any Chicago resident has access to the best possible criminal defense, regardless of their financial situation.

    Best Chicago Defense Attorneys | Cook County Criminal Lawyers
    Chicago IL Criminal Attorneys | Best Cook County Criminal Lawyers
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    Chicago Criminal Defense Law Firm | Defense Attorney Near Me

    If you’ve been arrested or charged, your future and freedom are on the line. Call Combs Waterkotte’s Chicago, Illinois defense lawyers today at (314) 900-HELP and start fighting back.

    • DUI Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois

      Whether you’re facing your first DUI arrest in Chicago or this is your third or subsequent charge, a Chicago DUI lawyer at Combs Waterkotte can help. We’ll handle both the criminal and administrative sides of your DUI charges to help you stay out of jail and keep your driver’s license.

    • Gun Crime Lawyer Serving Chicago

      Illinois has very strict gun laws which result in long, felony-level prison sentences for gun crime charges in Chicago. If you’ve been arrested or charged with a Cook County weapons offense, get in touch with Combs Waterkotte today. We’ll do everything we can to get your gun charge reduced or dismissed.

    • Chicago, IL Domestic Violent Lawyers

      Prosecutors in Cook County and Chicago tend to pursue domestic violence charges aggressively. A Chicago, Illinois domestic violence lawyer can help. We’ll review the charges against you for false or exaggerated claims and fight for an acquittal, reduction, or dismissal.

    • Child Pornography Defense Lawyer in Cook County

      A child pornography charge can come with serious consequences in the state of Illinois. Chicago residents charged with a child pornography offense need a defense lawyer as soon as possible. Call Combs Waterkotte’s Chicago child pornography lawyers today at (314) 900-HELP to handle your case.

    • Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers in Chicago, IL

      Federal criminal charges are typically much more severe than state-level cases. If you’ve been charged with a federal crime in Cook County, reach out to Combs Waterkotte’s federal criminal defense lawyers. We handle everything from federal conspiracy to homicide to sex crimes. Call today at (314) 900-HELP.

    • Chicago Assault Lawyer

      At Combs Waterkotte, we know that assault charges typically arise from tense situations. There are two sides to every story, and our Chicago assault lawyers can help you tell yours. We’ll challenge witness statements, scrutinize evidence, and examine police procedures to ensure your rights weren’ violated.

    • Felony Defense Lawyer in Chicago

      A felony charge in Cook County is very serious. Whether you’re facing a Class X, Class 1, Class 2, or another felony-level offense, serious fines and long prison sentences are on the line. Get in touch with Combs Waterkotte’s Chicago felony lawyers as soon as you can to get out in front of your felony charges.

    • Sex Crimes Attorney in Cook County and Chicago

      Sex crimes in the Chicago area can come with serious consequences. At Combs Waterkotte, our sex crimes attorneys can help. We’ll challenge DNA and forensic evidence, look for contradictions in witness or victim statements, and fight back hard against any false allegation that may have been made against you.

    • Violent Crimes Lawyer Chicago, IL

      If you’ve been accused of homicide, manslaughter, battery, kidnapping, or any other violent crime in Cook County, Illinois, contact our Chicago violent crimes lawyers right away. We’ll thoroughly examine every aspect of your case and use our proven criminal defense strategies to minimize the impact of your violent crime charge on your life.

    • Chicago, IL Drug Crimes Lawyer

      The Illinois Controlled Substances Act calls for harsh penalties for Chicago drug crimes. Whether you’ve been charged with drug trafficking, drug conspiracy, or another controlled substance offense, reach out to the criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte to handle your Cook County drug charges.

    • Criminal Lawyers with Payment Plans in Chicago

      A top-tier criminal defense shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. At Combs Waterkotte, we work with people all over Cook County regardless of their financial situation. We’ll develop a payment plan to match your budget to ensure you get the legal defense you need without breaking the bank.


    How a Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer at Combs Waterkotte Can Help You

    At Combs Waterkotte, we’ve spent years developing and using a series of tried-and-tested criminal defense strategies to help hard-working people throughout the Chicago and Cook County area. We’ll explain the charges against you and how we’re going to attack the prosecution’s case from every angle. We’ll speak for you during police interrogations, stand by you during court proceedings, and, if your case goes to trial, we’ll be there every step of the way until the verdict is read.

    Why Choose a Combs Waterkotte Chicago Defense Attorney

    There are plenty of great law firms in the Cook County area, but a few factors help Combs Waterkotte stand out above the rest. Our eight decades of combined experience mean we’re ready to tackle your criminal case, no matter the charges against you. We employ a client-centered approach to every case we take on, meaning you’ll have 24/7 access to your lawyer if you have questions or concerns. And, if your case does go to trial, we maintain a trial-ready mindset throughout, staying prepared to fight for an acquittal. Don’t take our word for it, though — take a look at our reviews to hear what real Combs Waterkotte clients have to say.

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    What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Felony Conviction in Illinois?
    What’s the Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor in Illinois?
    What’s the Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor in Illinois?
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    How Much Prison Time Do You Face for a Felony in Illinois?
    How Much Prison Time Do You Face for a Felony in Illinois?
    What Are the Defenses to a Domestic Violence Charge in Illinois?
    What Are the Defenses to a Domestic Violence Charge in Illinois?
    Can a Domestic Violence Victim Drop Charges in Illinois?
    Can a Domestic Violence Victim Drop Charges in Illinois?
    What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Felony Conviction in Illinois?

    What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Felony Conviction in Illinois?

    Posted January 9, 2026

    What’s the Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor in Illinois?

    What’s the Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor in Illinois?

    Posted November 18, 2025

    What Happens After You’re Arrested in Illinois?

    What Happens After You’re Arrested in Illinois?

    Posted December 26, 2025

    How Much Prison Time Do You Face for a Felony in Illinois?

    How Much Prison Time Do You Face for a Felony in Illinois?

    Posted December 11, 2025

    What Are the Defenses to a Domestic Violence Charge in Illinois?

    What Are the Defenses to a Domestic Violence Charge in Illinois?

    Posted December 8, 2025

    Can a Domestic Violence Victim Drop Charges in Illinois?

    Can a Domestic Violence Victim Drop Charges in Illinois?

    Posted January 13, 2026

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