If you are charged with a crime in DuPage County, the first decisions you make can shape the whole case. Stavros Law Offices defends clients in DuPage County courts, handling felonies, misdemeanors, drug charges, domestic battery and DUI. Our office is in Wheeling, and we handle cases in DuPage County, from Naperville and Wheaton to Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Lombard and Addison. We work as one team, and we prepare every case as if it could go to trial. Our attorneys, Justin Stavros and Vincent Stavros, are both former Lake County Assistant State's Attorneys. See our attorney profiles to learn more.
The Court System in DuPage County
DuPage County is the 18th Judicial Circuit. Felony, misdemeanor, DUI and traffic cases are heard at the DuPage County Courthouse, 505 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton, which houses separate felony and misdemeanor courtrooms and the Circuit Clerk's office. The courthouse also lists drug court and veterans court among its courtrooms. The courthouse complex also includes a First Appearance Court, located in the Sheriff's Office building at 501 N. County Farm Road. Your charging paper or release papers list where to appear; confirm with the Circuit Clerk or call our office.
Who Prosecutes the Case
The DuPage County State's Attorney's Office prosecutes criminal cases in the county and has its offices in the courthouse complex in Wheaton. Knowing where and how your case will be called helps us plan from your first appearance.
How Illinois Classifies Charges
The class of the charge drives the stakes. A Class A misdemeanor carries less than one year in jail. A Class 4 felony carries one to three years, a Class 2 felony three to seven years, and a Class X felony six to thirty years, with no probation available for Class X. Many serious charges can also lead to collateral consequences such as a lost job, license, or firearm rights. See felony vs. misdemeanor in Illinois.
Charges We Defend in DuPage County
We handle felony and misdemeanor defense, including drug crimes, domestic violence, theft, battery, weapons charges and DUI. For DUI, start with our DuPage County DUI attorney page, the Illinois DUI defense overview, and our guides to penalties, summary suspension, driving permits, license reinstatement and the DUI client guide. For an overview of everything we handle, see our Illinois criminal defense page.
What to Do After an Arrest
Do not discuss the facts with police without a lawyer, and do not consent to searches. Illinois no longer uses cash bail. A judge decides pretrial release, and the State may ask to detain a person in some serious cases. Read how pretrial release works and what happens after an arrest, then call us before your first court date.
Nearby Counties
Some communities, including Bartlett, Batavia and St. Charles, lie partly in DuPage County and partly in Kane County, so check the county on your paperwork. We also defend criminal cases in Kane County, Cook County and McHenry County, and DUI cases in Lake County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are DuPage County criminal cases heard?
At the DuPage County Courthouse, 505 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton. Felony, misdemeanor, DUI and traffic cases each have designated courtrooms there.
Do you handle cases in DuPage County even though your office is in Wheeling?
Yes. Our office is at 433 N. Milwaukee Ave in Wheeling, and we represent clients in DuPage County courts. Call us to confirm we can appear on your court date.
Which office prosecutes criminal cases in DuPage County?
The DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, which has its offices in the courthouse complex in Wheaton.
What should I bring to my first consultation?
Bring your charging document or ticket, release paperwork, and any notices from police or the court. Share the facts only with us, not with police, witnesses or on social media.
Talk to Our Team
Call (847) 520-4810 (our phone line is available 24/7) or request a free consultation online. Our office is at 433 N. Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090, open Monday–Friday 9–5 and closed Saturday. Bilingual staff can assist; se habla español.
This page is general information about Illinois law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, no lawyer can guarantee a result, and past results do not predict future outcomes.