Murder for Hire Lawyer Chicago, IL

Murder for Hire Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois Serving All of Cook County

A murder-for-hire charge in Chicago and throughout Cook County is not something you can afford to face without a strategic, aggressive defense. Prosecutors often build these cases using extensive investigations, informants, and complex evidence, all with the goal of securing the harshest penalties possible. Without a skilled defense attorney, you risk being overwhelmed by the sheer weight of the state’s case against you.

At Combs Waterkotte, we bring over eight decades of combined criminal defense experience to every case we handle. Our team understands how Cook County prosecutors approach serious felony charges like murder for hire, and we know how to challenge their evidence, expose weaknesses, and advocate for our clients at every stage of the process. From conducting our own independent investigation to negotiating for reduced charges or taking your case to trial, we’re prepared to fight for the best possible outcome.

When your freedom and future are on the line, you need a defense team with the statewide resources to handle murder for hire charges. Contact Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule your free, confidential consultation. The sooner you involve our firm, the more opportunities we have to protect your rights and build a powerful defense.

What Is Murder for Hire in Chicago, Illinois?

Illinois law has a general solicitation statute that defines solicitation to commit virtually any type of crime. Solicitation is an inchoate offense, meaning that while the crime wasn’t completed, a person (or people) did at least take steps toward carrying them out.

The statue, 720 ILCS 5/8-1, defines solicitation as:

• Having an intent to commit an offense, and
• Commanding, encouraging, or requesting someone else to commit the offense

While the solicitation statute can apply to any crime in theory, a section of the statute, 720 ILCS 5/8-1(b), actually covers solicitation of murder specifically. That portion of the statute defines solicitation of murder (or “murder for hire”) as:

• Committing solicitation with the intent that first degree murder be committed

With this in mind, it’s important to understand how the state of Illinois defines first degree murder. The most serious homicide offense on the books in Illinois, first degree murder is outlined in 720 ILCS 5/9-1, which says that the offense occurs when causing death and:

• Intending to kill or do great bodily harm to a victim (or knowing that one’s actions will cause death)
• Knowing that one’s actions will create the strong probability of death or great bodily harm
• Committing a forcible felony alone or with an accomplice that results in the death of another

The solicitation statute combined with Illinois’s first degree murder statute define murder for hire offenses in Chicago and Cook County. It’s important to note, though, that there is a distinct difference between soliciting murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Solicitation of Murder vs. Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Chicago, Illinois

In order for Cook County prosecutors to charge someone with solicitation of murder, two things must be true:

• The offender must intend for the murder to take place
• The offender must ask someone else to commit the murder

It does not matter if the individual the offender asks to commit the offense actually carries out the murder or if they even take steps toward committing the murder. The mere fact of requesting a killing is enough to be charged with murder for hire.

Conspiracy to commit murder, on the other hand, is much more focused. According to Illinois’s conspiracy law, someone can be can be charged with conspiracy to commit when:

• Two or more people agree to the killing
• They take a step in furtherance of the killing, such as:
  • Purchasing a firearm, silencer, or ammunition specifically for the killing
  • Traveling to the victim’s home, workplace, or known location while armed
  • Breaking into or attempting to enter the victim’s residence
  • Luring the victim to a specific location under false pretenses
  • Paying money (or delivering a deposit) to a supposed hitman
  • Disabling security cameras or alarms at the intended crime scene
  • Attempting to poison food, drink, or medication

This is much narrower than solicitation, which does not require agreement or a step in furtherance. In other words, soliciting murder is a much easier charge for prosecutors to prove under the law in Chicago and Cook County. This is bad news for anyone charged with murder for hire, as the penalties are incredibly harsh.

Penalties for Soliciting Murder in Chicago, Illinois

In any scenario, murder for hire is charged as a felony offense in Chicago and Cook County. In fact, it’s charged as a Class X felony, the most serious felony charge under Illinois law. A Class X felony conviction typically carries a prison sentence between 6 and 30 years.

The Illinois solicitation statute actually specifically covers the penalties for solicitation of murder in Chicago. According to 720 ILCS 5/8-1(c), the offense is a Class X felony with:

• A mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years with a 30-year maximum
• A mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years with a 60-year maximum for soliciting someone under the age of 17 to commit the murder

One top of those long prison sentences, a conviction carries the possibility of serious collateral consequences after one’s eventual release from prison. These include (but are certainly not limited to):

• Employment Barriers — A felony murder-for-hire conviction severely limits job opportunities after release from prison (especially due to background check outcomes)
• Immigration Consequences — Noncitizens face deportation, inadmissibility, and visa denial after murder-for-hire related convictions
• Housing Issues — Landlords deny applicants with violent felony records, limiting rental options and public housing eligibility
• Orders of Protection — Courts impose orders restricting contact, movement, residence, and communications, potentially complicating daily life
• Firearm Rights — Felony convictions permanently revoke firearm ownership rights, prohibiting possession, purchases, and licensing

A conviction for soliciting murder can come issues that follow you for the rest of your life. That’s why if you’re arrested or charged with murder for hire in the Chicago area, it’s essential to hire a lawyer experienced in handling violent criminal allegations.

Criminal Defense Strategies Against Murder for Hire Charges in Chicago

At Combs Waterkotte, we’ve handled serious felony cases in the Chicago area before, including solicitation to commit murder. Our criminal lawyers have used the following criminal defense strategies in these cases to secure charge reductions, trial acquittals, and dismissals.

Mistaken Identity or False Accusations

In some cases, the defendant may be wrongly accused due to misidentification or unreliable witnesses. This is particularly relevant where communications occur through third parties, online platforms, or coded language. Defense attorneys may challenge the credibility of informants, cooperating witnesses, or alleged co-conspirators. Demonstrating inconsistencies or ulterior motives can cast doubt on whether the defendant was actually involved in the murder plot.

Lack of Intent

A core defense in murder-for-hire cases in Chicago is a lack of intent. Illinois law requires proof that the defendant specifically intended for a murder to occur, so defense counsel may argue that statements were exaggerated, sarcastic, or made in frustration rather than reflecting a genuine plan. Without clear intent, solicitation charges can fail. Evidence such as ambiguous communications, lack of follow-through, or inconsistent behavior can support the argument that no real intent to kill existed.

Entrapment

Entrapment can arise when undercover Chicago officers or informants cause someone to solicit murder who otherwise would not have done so. In Cook County, many murder-for-hire cases can stem from sting operations. This defense must show that the idea originated with law enforcement and that the defendant lacked predisposition to commit or solicit murder. Aggressive tactics, repeated pressure, or manipulation by the police may support this claim. If successful, entrapment can result in dismissal because the government improperly created the crime.

Duress or Coercion

Duress applies in Chicago murder solicitation cases when a defendant was forced to participate in a murder-for-hire scheme due to immediate threats of harm. For example, if someone was threatened with violence unless they arranged a killing, this defense may apply. The key issue is whether a reasonable person would have felt they had no choice. Evidence of threats, intimidation, coercion, or fear can support this defense (though it is often narrowly applied under Illinois law).

Insufficient Evidence of a Substantial Step

Even if intent is alleged, prosecutors must often show actions beyond mere talk in related solicitation charges. Defense attorneys may argue there was no substantial step toward committing murder. Casual discussions, vague plans, or unverified communications may not meet the legal threshold. Highlighting gaps in the prosecution’s timeline or lack of concrete actions can create reasonable doubt about whether the defendant truly moved toward carrying out a killing.

Fourth Amendment Violations

Evidence obtained through illegal searches or seizures may be excluded under the Fourth Amendment. In Chicago murder-for-hire investigations, this often involves wiretaps, recorded conversations, or digital communications. If CPD failed to obtain proper warrants or exceeded their scope, key evidence could be suppressed. Without that evidence, prosecutors may struggle to prove solicitation or intent, making constitutional challenges a powerful defense strategy in these cases.

Fifth Amendment and Miranda Violations

Statements made during Chicago police interrogations may be inadmissible if law enforcement failed to provide proper Miranda warnings or coerced a confession. Defense counsel can scrutinize how statements were obtained, especially in high-pressure investigations. If a defendant invoked their right to remain silent or requested an attorney and questioning continued, those statements may be excluded. Removing damaging admissions due to Fifth Amendment violations can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case.