Criminal defense cases in Chicago typically resolve within 2 to 18 months, depending on case complexity, court schedules, and whether the matter proceeds to trial.
Chicago Court Backlog
The Cook County court system often manages a backlog ranging from 500 to 3,000 criminal cases, reflecting both new filings and ongoing matters.
Criminal Defense Chicago Filing Volume
Estimated monthly criminal case filings in Chicago range from 700 to 1,800, based on recent public court data.
Criminal Defense Case Outcomes
Resolution rates vary: approximately 25% of cases resolve before formal charges, 35% after filing but before trial, and about 10% result in favorable trial outcomes for defendants.
Blaire Dalton is the leading lawyer at the Chicago criminal defense firm, Dalton Law, LLC. Dalton is known to be compassionate and dedicated to her clients, while also aggressive and creative in the courtroom.. Attorney Dalton was selected as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2016; recognition that only 2.5% of practicing lawyers aged 40 years or younger have received. She is also nationally ranked as one of the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Illinois by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys.
I'm a Chicagoland native born and raised, now happy to offer my legal services to the community I love. In my free time I enjoy fitness and weightlifting, riding my motorcycle, and trading stocks and cryptocurrencies.
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense , Immigration & Naturalization , DUI & DWI, DUI & DWI, DUI & DWI, DUI & DWI, DUI & DWI
I have practiced law now for more than 1/2 of my life, focused primarily in the areas of Criminal Defense, DUI/Traffic Defense, Driver's License Reinstatement, and Immigration. In my 29 plus years of practicing law, I have tried cases ranging from First Degree Murder, on down to defending minor traffic and local ordinance tickets. I have appeared in Federal Courts, other State Courts on a pro hoc vice basis, such as Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Arizona. I believe that everyone, regardless of their "station in life" is entitled to the best defense that I can give them. I believe that our system of justice, while not perfect, is still the greatest in the world, and the Constitution and Bill of Rights offer the best chance of achieving Justice.. I like to think that no case is too big, or too small, for me to take on. The day that I can no longer find the words to speak on behalf of even the most unpopular client will be the day that I retire. I said that when I was in Law School, and I still say that today.
1655 S. Blue Island, Suite 312 , Chicago , Illinois 60608
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
Experience, With Energy: I believe the right attorney for your case is the attorney with the experience to know what he is doing, but the energy to relentlessly attack. Many attorneys are reactionary, meaning they wait for the other side’s attorney or the prosecutor to act first. I despise that mentality. A real, true attorney is the one who has the experience to know how to press the other side to get results, with the energy to sustain that fight for his client.. It’s Personal: My sustained fight for my clients is personal. Ask any attorney you are looking to hire if it is personal. See what they say.. After graduating from UW-Milwaukee in 2008, I moved to Chicago. Going to work one morning, I was struck by a car. I did what any person would do. I Googled personal injury attorneys and hired one who came up. I was not an attorney yet, but something seemed off when that attorney only wanted to settle. How? I was still in physical therapy and accumulating medical bills that would not be part of his settlement. I fired him. By that time, I was in law school, so I wrote my own lawsuit and won. After that, I made a promise to myself that I would never be like that attorney I initially hired. That I would fight for my clients at every turn, always keeping them informed in the process.. My Start: In 2012, I graduated from Chicago-Kent, a law school known for its legal writing program and ranked in the top five of all law schools for trial advocacy. In that top trial law school, of more than three hundred graduating classmates, I was the first attorney admitted to the federal trial bar because of the high volume of trials I had successfully completed in Illinois state court at such an early stage in my career.. For over three years, I was constantly in the courtroom, loving every moment representing my clients, getting wins, and gaining so much experience in civil litigation and criminal defense. For better or worse, I had an itch I had to scratch. After court one day, I went to visit an old professor who was a retired Cook County judge. I told him how I always wanted to join the military, but I was getting so many courtroom wins that it was hard to step away. He told me, “Anthony, if you are going to do it, do it now, or you will be sixty-five at your desk and wonder if you could have.”. My Army Adventures: I had the option to become an officer right away because I was already an attorney. However, I wanted to try out to be an Army Ranger. The only guarantee I had to get a tryout was to enlist, so I entered Basic Training in January 2016, no longer called Attorney Villalobos by judges, but Specialist Villalobos by Drill Sergeants. After completing all of my prerequisite training, I showed up to the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP) as the oldest Soldier trying out for the 75th Ranger Regiment. I survived selection, and signed into Alpha Company, 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment as a thirty-one-year-old forward observer. It was painfully amazing; still in touch with the boys today. After two combat zone deployments, I left Special Operations in 2019 to get back to practicing law.. After the Judge Advocate Basic Officer’s Course, I reported to The United States Military Academy (“West Point”), for my first Judge Advocate General (JAG) position. I was selected to serve as the sole Special Victims’ Counsel (SVC), representing victims of sex crimes and domestic violence. As an SVC, I learned so many things that go into the criminal investigation process, the decision whether or not move a case to court-martial, and what motivates people to report sex crimes and domestic violence.. With my prior Chicago trial experience, my special operations background, and my SVC time I had to go to a courtroom. My next JAG assignment was as a Trial Defense Services (TDS) attorney at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), which is the largest U.S. military installation. I handled over fifty court-martials in two years and countless separation boards, Article 15s, and other matters Soldiers unfortunately have to face. From the results I was getting and my experience, I was placed as a trial team leader to lead trial strategy and train my younger colleagues. Of all the “thank you, sir” and “no one believed me but you, sir” statements I got from my clients after our wins, the statement I loved the most was from a prosecutor on the other side: Anthony, our entire office gets nervous when we see you are the defense attorney on the case. Making prosecutors nervous that you are the defense attorney who is going to uncover the truth and get the not guilty for your client is the greatest feeling.. My parting gift to the Army’s criminal defense unit was a massive document I compiled, using all I had learned from my Chicago courtroom days, victim representation days, and Army criminal defense days. That document and my insider knowledge were distributed in the TDS mass letter that goes to all Army defense attorneys and my work is still used today.. The premier JAG job is advising commanders. Having a chance to return back to Chicago, my final JAG position was serving as a command legal advisor at the MEPS headquarters. That position allowed me to touch on legal investigations and actions for every service of the Department of Defense: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. I gained so much experience seeing what commanders want investigated and what actions or non-actions they want to take after an investigation into a servicemember. Getting to guide commanders in the legal process, from court martials to non-judicial punishment to separation boards, was invaluable.. Experience, With Energy: All of that experience – my own personal injury case success, all of my Chicago civil and criminal trials, special operations and combat deployments, representing crime victims, defending Soldiers, advising military commanders – every piece of it is brought with absolute energy when I represent someone. I know what it is like to see your name on a court document. It can be intimidating. You do not have to go it alone. Contact me and we will aggressively tackle everything together to see you to the success I found because I have the experience to see you there, with the energy to accomplish it.
Experienced, Aggressive and Compassionate Criminal Defense Attorney with Offices in Chicago and Skokie. Former Prosecutor that understands criminal cases from both sides of the courtroom. Free immediate consultation. When you hire Mr. Weisberg to defend you, he will not send a novice to court. He will personally defend you before a Judge or Jury and fight hard to obtain the best possible results. Call Now to speak directly with Mr. Weisberg.. Mr. Weisberg dedicates himself to the needs and concerns of all of his clients. From the moment you contact him for a free consultation, he will begin to explain to you everything you need to know about the law surrounding your case as well as what to expect every step of the way. He invites you to call him anytime at the office or on his cell phone at. He will be happy to discuss your case and inform you of your options. He handles any and all of the following offenses:. Criminal Defense Practice, Federal Criminal Law, Drug Crimes, Drug Offenses, Drug Cases, Possession of controlled substance, Possession with intent to deliver, Delivery of Controlled Substance, Manufacture, Distribution, Conspiracy to Deliver, Cocaine, Heroin, Ecstasy, GHB, Look-alike substance, Marijuana, Marijuana Plants, Cannabis, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Felonies, Fraud, Mortgage Fraud, Loan Fraud, Mail Fraud, Embezzlement, Homicide, Murder, Attempted Murder, Misdemeanors, Rape, Sex Crimes, Statutory Rape, Sexual Abuse, Criminal Sexual Abuse, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, Criminal Sexual Assault, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault, Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault, Child Pornography, Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, Public indecency, Stalking, Disorderly Conduct, Prostitution, Solicitation of a Prostitute, Domestic Violence, Assault, Child Abuse and Neglect, Drivers License Suspension, DUI/DWI, Traffic Offenses, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Drunk Driving, Drunken Driving, Aggravated DUI, Aggravated Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Homicide, Driving While License Suspended, 6-303, Driving on a revoked license, drag racing, reckless driving, CDL Drivers, Speeding over 40 mph over limit, Juvenile Law, Traffic Violations, Burglary, Residential Burglary, Robbery, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Robbery, Trespass, Trespass to Land, Trespass to Vehicle, Trespass to residence, Theft, Retail Theft, Deceptive Practices, Identity Theft, Theft by Deception, Forgery, Perjury, Shoplifting, Resisting Arrest, Obstruction of Justice, Obstructing Justice, Weapons Charges, Guns, Gun Charges, Unlawful Use of Weapon, Unlawful Use of Weapon by Felon, Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapon, Aggravated UUW, Defacing a Firearm, Kidnapping, Unlawful Restraint, Vehicular Hijacking, Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking, Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle, Stolen Car, Witness Intimidation, Grand Jury, White Collar Crime, Violation of Probation, Violation of Conditional Discharge, Petition to Revoke Probation, Violation of Order of Protection, Vandalism, Criminal Damage to Property, Arson, Aggravated Arson, Battery, Aggravated Battery, Assault, Aggravated Assault, Domestic Battery, Domestic Violence, Reckless Discharge of a Firearm, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, Escape, Expungements, Bail Hearings, Dog Fighting, Bad Checks, Telephone Harassment, Preliminary Hearings and all other Criminal Cases.
While attending school at the University of Dayton School of Law, I focused on gaining as much practical experience as possible. Clubs and the Law Review sounded nice on paper, but I wanted the practical experience you just cannot get in school. I initially clerked for a small civil litigation firm. Later, I worked closely with a solo criminal defense attorney on a variety of cases ranging from traffic violations to rape. During this time, I learned the fundamentals of being an effective criminal defense advocate.Upon graduating law school, I came back home to Chicago to study for the bar exam. I quickly inserted myself in the criminal defense arena by joining the Chicago Bar Association’s Criminal Defense Committee as well as the Young Lawyers Section. At the same time, I was reaching out to every Chicago defense attorney to volunteer my time and learn new skills. I've had the opportunity to try a variety of cases including a felon in possession of a handgun jury, and a murder jury.Currently, my practice is located in the West Loop of Chicago. I focus on criminal law, although I take on any case that involves complex litigation. I love getting in front of a judge or jury. When I am not practicing, I like to volunteer my time as a mentor to local youth on probation.
Disclaimer: This content is based on aggregated public information and estimated market trends. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
