If you are charged with a crime in Kane County, the first decisions you make can shape the whole case. Stavros Law Offices defends clients in Kane County courts, handling felonies, misdemeanors, drug charges, domestic battery and DUI. Our office is in Wheeling, and we handle cases in Kane County, from Aurora and Elgin to St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia. 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 Kane County
Kane County is the 16th Judicial Circuit. Under the circuit's local court rules, felony, domestic violence and DUI cases are generally heard at the Kane County Judicial Center, 37W777 Route 38 in St. Charles. The same rules list the circuit's drug rehabilitation and treatment alternative courts at that building. Traffic, misdemeanor and ordinance cases are generally heard at the Kane County Branch Court in St. Charles or at the Aurora or Elgin branch courts, and the Kane County Courthouse at 100 S. Third Street in Geneva mainly handles civil cases. Your charging paper or release papers list where to appear; confirm with the Circuit Clerk or call our office.
Who Prosecutes the Case
The Kane County State's Attorney's Office prosecutes criminal cases in the county. Its main office is at the Judicial Center in St. Charles, and it also has branch offices near the Aurora and Elgin courts. 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 Kane County
We handle felony and misdemeanor defense, including drug crimes, domestic violence, theft, battery, weapons charges and DUI. For DUI, start with our Kane 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 and Towns
Huntley and Hoffman Estates lie partly in Kane County; see our Huntley and Hoffman Estates pages. We also defend criminal cases in Cook County, McHenry County and DuPage County, and DUI cases in Lake County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Kane County criminal cases heard?
Felony, domestic violence and DUI cases are generally heard at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles. Traffic and misdemeanor cases are generally set at the Kane County, Aurora or Elgin branch courts. Your paperwork lists the location.
Do you handle cases in Kane County even though your office is in Wheeling?
Yes. Our office is at 433 N. Milwaukee Ave in Wheeling, and we represent clients in Kane County courts. Call us to confirm we can appear on your court date.
Which office prosecutes criminal cases in Kane County?
The Kane County State's Attorney's Office. Its main office is at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles.
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.