Edwardsville, Illinois, Violent Crime Defense Lawyers
A violent crime is anything in which there is a physical threat — anything from a barroom brawl to armed robbery to murder. Defending a violent crime takes a combination of creative legal strategies and experience in the judicial trenches. Most of all, it means crafting a solid case and creating doubt in the mind of the jury.
At the Polinske & Associates, P.C., we have dedicated our careers to helping those who are facing the frightening prospect of imprisonment, embarrassment and alienation from friends and family. If you have been charged with or arrested for a violent crime, call us at 618-505-4213 (877-632-3089 toll-free) for a free consultation.
Former Prosecutors, Experienced Trial Lawyers
We are attorneys with more than 20 years of experience between us offering criminal defense to those facing serious charges. When you come to us for help, we will fight aggressively to keep you from being convicted of a violent crime — the penalties and repercussions of which are severe. We understand that in addition to imprisonment, having a criminal record can make it difficult to find a job or even a place to live. We will defend you against charges of:
- Robbery
- Assault
- Aggravated Domestic Battery
- Violent Sex Crimes
- Weapons Charges
- Manslaughter
- Murder/Homicide
What Are You Waiting For?
If you have been charged with a violent crime and need skilled legal help from a veteran team of trial attorneys, contact us by e-mail or call us at 618-505-4213 (877-632-3089 toll-free). A free initial consultation is available when and where you need it.
Recent Successes
Illinois Felony Aggravated Discharge of Weapons January 2011 - My client was identified by four separate people as the person who shot a firearm thereby striking the victim in the leg. I investigated the matter extensively and discovered that there were many other witnesses who gave completely differing descriptions. I obtained there statements and presented them to the State. We were able to resolve all matters for a low level (class 4 felony) Reckless Discharge conviction and two years probation. My client was looking at 30 years with no possibility for probation when he was charged. He was also charged on another occasion of shooting a gun. That charge was dismissed per negotiations.
December 2010 - Our client was charged with Agg. Battery after he got into an altercation with neighbors. The odd thing about this case is that he was assaulted himself on his own property. The neighbor who claimed to be the victim in the case was actually trespassing on my client's property. We obtained a land survey with aerial photographs and explained this to the prosecutor. The State moved to dismiss the case.
December 2010 - Our client was charged with the class x felony crime of Home Invasion and was facing 6 to 30 years in prison with no possibility of probation. We were able to negotiate a dismissal of the felony charge. Our client was charged after he and some friends were drinking. He allegedly broke into a neighbor's house and physically assaulted him. We convinced the State that the victim in the case was somewhat at fault himself. My client paid only a small amount of court costs. No probation was ordered either. A very good result for him.
November 2010 - My client was charged with three domestic battery related charges for two separate instances. I was able to convince the State that the alleged victim, his girlfriend, was fabricating her claims against him. The charges were dismissed completely.
PeopNovember 2010 - Our client was facing 6 to 30 years mandatory imprisonment after being accused of armed robbery with a firearm. After analyzing his defense options we determined to push the State on the weakness of its witnesses. I was able to secure statements from one of the eyewitnesses that directly contradicted another's. This was enough to allow us to negotiate a reduction to a probationable offense. Our client received two years probation (this was his 3rd felony charge).
November 2010 - My client was accused of severely beating and causing lacerations to the face of his wife. There were three witnesses against the Defendant and some of his witnesses claimed that the event happened as told by the Defendant. However, we quickly learned that the spouse had made up the tale and was able to convince the other witnesses to lie for her. I was able to secure the witnesses' and wife's cooperation. My client was facing serious prison time. The prosecutor ultimately reduced the charge to misdemeanor battery and he received supervision for the offense. The case will be dismissed completely in one year.
July 2010 - My married client was accused of physically assaulting her husband in their marital residence. Although the facts against her were substantial and very probative of her guilt I was able to obtain a full dismissal of the charge against her.
A 56-year-old former police officer was charged with and acquitted by a jury. I was his fourth attorney. All other attorneys recommended he plead guilty and take a 20-year sentence.
A woman was terrorized by her husband for a period of years. She shot him one night in defense of her grandchild. The State sought natural life imprisonment. We negotiated for a second degree murder charge and a sentence of four years was agreed to. She served a year and a half and was released.
2009 - The case was amicably settled against the City police for false arrest / malicious prosecution and civil rights violation.
2009 - Our client was beaten by police. He was falsely charged with Resisting Arrest. We won the criminal charge. Then we successfully sued the police.
