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Matthew Chivari is a recognized Chicago criminal defense attorney who wins.
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Are you facing criminal charges in the Chicago area? At Chivari P.C. Attorneys at Law, our founding attorney has years of experience in protecting the rights of people who have been accused of DUI, drug crimes, violent crimes, theft, and more.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer any questions you might have as well as discuss the details of your case. Attorney Matthew Chivari has been the recipient of the CALI Awards for Human Rights Dimensions of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Juvenile Justice, Prosecuting and Defending Criminal Cases, and Negotiations.
Should you choose to work with our Chicago criminal defense attorneys, you will be able to have peace of mind knowing that we are fighting for you every step of the way. We also offer free case evaluations so that you can let us know the details of your case quickly and easily. You deserve a Chicago criminal lawyer on your side who understands how to protect your rights!
Our team can handle a broad range of criminal charges related to drug crimes, including possession as well as federal drug charges such as interstate or international drug trafficking. We help drivers throughout Chicago who have been pulled over or arrested for any type of traffic offense, including DUI and multiple DUI offenses. Experienced counsel can be offered by our team for clients in the face of serious weapon and gun offenses as well. Our team is adept at handling all manner of violent crimes, including:
In addition to reviewing the links listed above, you can visit our criminal defense blog for recent news and helpful tips regarding this important field. The Chivari P.C. Attorneys at Law also encourages you to schedule an in-person consultation or to discuss your case with one of our professionals over the phone. Nothing compares to having your specific questions answered and your concerns addressed by a skilled criminal defense law firm in DuPage County.
When you are facing criminal charges, fighting for your defense is a critical matter. Not all attorneys have the talent in the courtroom to present a compelling defense to the jury. It has been proven on countless high-profile cases that the skill of the defense team is of ultimate importance in any criminal trial. At Chivari P.C. Attorneys at Law, the legal team is prepared to aggressively pursue all avenues of defense by seeking out any flaws in the case against you and exploit it in the fight for your freedom.
The ability to negotiate, plea bargain and litigate is the strong suit of the legal team at the firm, and no matter how serious the charge, you can be assured that all the tools in the arsenal of the defense team will be brought into play when defending your case, from DUI to serious felony charges like murder or rape. Your case will be a priority and you will be kept apprised of the progress of your case throughout the legal process. It is critical to get legal representation as soon as possible after the arrest to avoid the pitfalls that can result without a powerful legal defender at your side.
Contact a Chicago criminal defense attorney from Chivari P.C. Attorneys at Law today.
Experience. Experience fighting criminal charges on behalf of the accused.
Integrity. We are honest and upfront with you to ensure you understand our defense strategy.
Passion. You deserve our unwavering commitment to defend your rights.
Vision. We believe in the value of a powerful legal advocate.
Dedication. We care about your rights and are available 24/7 to answer your questions.
Success. We aim to deliver the best possible outcomes for every client, every time.
This largely depends on the crimes you have been charged with and if you have a previous record of criminal convictions. Illinois is not entirely lenient, even when it comes to misdemeanors. Offenses such as possession of marijuana less than 30 grams or driving under the influence could still land you with up to $2,500 in fines and jail time up to one year. More severe felonies could result in a lifetime of prison and up to $1 million in fines for some crimes.
Our legal team takes pride in our impressive record in the defense of clients charged with even the most serious of criminal offenses. We will fully analyze the case, the evidence, all reports and statements and determine what strategy will be employed to fight for your freedom. We know how important the outcome of the case is and are prepared to aggressively defend our clients, no matter how hopeless the case may first appear. An aggressive and dedicated defense lawyer from our team can increase the possibility of a better outcome on any criminal charges. Act quickly, as a strong defense begins from the moment you are arrested.
Contact a Chicago criminal defense attorney from the Chivari P.C. Attorneys at Law for aggressive legal representation in all types of criminal charges. Fill out our free case evaluation form today!
A good rule of thumb is: If you think you might need a criminal defense attorney, you probably do. It is not worth risking fines, marks on your record, or incarceration because you choose not to hire an attorney.
Being charged with a crime can be a terrifying experience. There are many different statutes and laws designed to define and set punishments for criminal conduct. You might commit a crime without even realizing it. You may think you are committing a minor crime but then find yourself facing severe penalties. The criminal justice system is a harsh and complicated beast. It is almost always in your best interest to at least consult a criminal attorney if you find yourself in any criminal trouble, including trouble with traffic violations.
Protect Your Rights
If you are ever taken into custody, you should immediately ask for your criminal lawyer. You do not have to answer any questions asked of you by the police. They will try to convince you that it is in your best interest to answer their questions, or that they are on “your side.” This is almost never the case. You should ask for a lawyer as soon as they read you your Miranda rights or as soon as you believe you are not free to go. Once you ask for a criminal lawyer, the government officials holding you in custody must cease asking you questions. Do not initiate conversation with them again until you have your lawyer present. The government officials holding you are obligated to provide you with a public defender if you cannot afford an attorney.
A criminal defense attorney will understand much better than you the implications of your charges, how the facts of your case help or hurt your chances of being found not guilty, and what questions you should or should not answer. You have the right against self-incrimination. While this seems basic and simple enough, it is almost impossible for a layperson to understand what statements can be incriminating. Something that seems neutral to you, or something that seems like it could help exonerate you, can be used by the police and prosecution against you. Additionally, an experienced criminal defense attorney will have a good working relationship with the opposing side. If the prosecution has respect for your attorney, you are much more likely to end up with a favorable deal or dismissal.
The fact of the matter is that, even though the saying is “innocent until proven guilty,” once you are arrested, the police, prosecution and even judge are likely to presume you are guilty. This is an unfair, harsh reality. With an experienced criminal defense attorney fighting for you, you are much more likely to overcome these unfair biases. Further, a criminal defense attorney has seen and done this all before. Your criminal attorney can be a reassuring source of comfort during a very stressful time.
Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Contact criminal lawyer Matthew Chivari for a free consultation. Mr. Chivari handles criminal matters throughout the Chicago area and the United States.
The U.S. Constitution includes in the Bill of Rights the right to a speedy trial. The Sixth Amendment states in part: “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed…”
The purpose of this amendment is to ensure that there is no unnecessary or unreasonable delay between arrest and trial. It is not the point of our justice system to hold arrestees who have not yet been tried indefinitely. That is contrary to the principle that criminal defendants are innocent until proven guilty. If there is a violation of your Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial, that is cause to dismiss your criminal case with prejudice. When the court dismisses a case with prejudice, that means you cannot be re-charged for the same crime and made to go to trial again. An experienced criminal lawyer can explain this to you in greater detail.
Speedy Trial History
In the 1970’s, the Supreme Court of the United States decided that whether or not a criminal defendant has been denied his or her right to a speedy trial is subject to a case-by-case analysis. What that means is there is no set rule to determine if someone’s Sixth Amendment right to a trial by jury has been violated. Instead, the court must look at the unique factors in each case to determine if there has been such a violation. In order to determine if there has been a violation, the court has to apply a four-part balancing test. If, after applying the test, the court finds that the delay unfairly prejudiced the defendant, then there is a violation of the Sixth Amendment. The court will weigh the following four factors in determining if there was a violation:
(1) The length of the delay;
(2) The reason for the delay;
(3) When and how the defendant has asserted his or her Sixth Amendment right;
(4) How much prejudice is caused by the delay.
The Supreme Court has found that a 7-month delay due to the illness of the chief investigating officer, while long, is justifiable. A five-year period between the arrest and trial was considered “extraordinary.” A crowded docket with many criminal cases to try is not a sufficiently good reason for excessive delay. If you believe that your right to a speedy trial has been violated then contact a criminal lawyer immediately.
It is possible, and sometimes advisable, to waive your right to a speedy trial. Your experienced criminal defense attorney will know when waiving your right to a speedy trial is the prudent choice.
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However, in order to turn yourself in you have to know that there is a warrant out for you. If you are suspicious that there may be a warrant in a particular city or county, you can go to that city or county’s courthouse. However, there is no guarantee that it will be there. Additionally, you can search a clerk of court’s website
A more effective method of searching for a warrant is to conduct a background search on yourself. There are many websites that allow you to do this for a small fee. These websites will provide you with your criminal record, also called your “rap sheet.” It should include past, present and pending local, state and federal charges. These are the same websites used by employers and landlords when they are considering hiring candidates or leasing to tenants. Simply Google “criminal background check” and choose the company you like best to conduct your background check.
Even if you don’t think you have a criminal record, it is never a bad idea to conduct a period background check on yourself. Sadly, it is not uncommon to find mistakes. It’s possible that you share a name with a criminal. If you find a mistake on your record, contact a criminal attorney to discuss your options for having the mistake rectified.
Call Us If You Have Questions
Contact criminal defense lawyer Matthew Chivari today for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been arrested or accused of a crime.
Even in cases in which the individual is completely innocent, if you have been arrested this indicates that the prosecutor considers there is enough evidence to get a conviction. Unfortunately, you will be forced to prove your innocence in court. The attorney you select to represent you has an important impact on the outcome of the case. Contact our firm at once to initiate the defense actions that must take place when the client is innocent of the charge.
