Criminal Defense in Illinois

Illinois reformed its criminal justice system significantly with the SAFE-T Act (2023), which eliminated cash bail statewide — the first state to do so. This changed how pretrial detention works and created new legal proceedings that affect attorney costs. Misdemeanor defense in Chicago ranges from $3,000-$7,000, while felony defense starts at $7,000 and can exceed $80,000 for serious charges like Class X felonies (armed robbery, aggravated criminal sexual assault). Illinois has determinate sentencing, meaning judges must impose sentences within statutory ranges. Cook County's decentralized courthouse system (26 courthouses) means attorneys must be familiar with specific courtroom practices. Drug cases in Illinois have become more nuanced since marijuana legalization in 2020, but possession of other controlled substances still carries significant penalties. Federal cases in the Northern District of Illinois (one of the busiest federal courts) typically require defense budgets of $15,000-$100,000+.