Partner | Trial Lawyer | Former Lake County Assistant State's Attorney
DUI & Criminal Defense — Lake County and Cook County | J.D., M.B.A.

When you need a DUI attorney in Lake County or a Cook County criminal defense lawyer who has seen these cases from both sides of the courtroom, talk to T. Justin Stavros.

Justin is a Partner at Stavros Law Offices in Wheeling, Illinois, with roughly 20 years of legal experience. He is a former Lake County Assistant State's Attorney who has handled thousands of DUIs, tried countless cases to verdict, and built a reputation for careful jury selection. Clients across Lake County, Cook County, and the northwest suburbs call him when a charge threatens a license, a record, a career, or liberty.

Call 847-520-4810 for a free consultation. Nuestro personal bilingüe puede ayudarle. Se habla español.

This page explains Justin's background and how he approaches criminal and DUI defense. It is educational information, not legal advice for your specific situation, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Outcomes depend on the facts and the law—no lawyer can honestly guarantee a result.

Why clients choose Justin for DUI and criminal defense

Hiring a criminal lawyer is about who will prepare your case, challenge weak evidence, and speak plainly. Justin's practice is built on:

• Former Lake County prosecutor — nearly six years as an Assistant State's Attorney, including Traffic & DUI, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, and Juvenile/Felony Trial units
• ~20 years of experience in Illinois courts and legal practice
• Thousands of DUI matters handled across his career path from prosecution into defense
• Trial-tested advocacy — countless cases tried to verdict, with focused expertise in jury selection
• Business-trained counsel — five years as General Counsel at a major Chicago investment firm, managing legal affairs for an organization with millions in assets and 300+ employees, plus an MBA with high honors (2015)
• Local firm depth — Partner at Stavros Law Offices, serving the northwest suburbs from Wheeling since the firm's founding in 1978
• Direct, practical communication — clear next steps, not legal jargon for its own sake

Prosecutor insight, high-volume DUI experience, jury-trial skill, and business judgment—together, that is how Justin positions clients for the strongest path the facts and law allow.

Credibility earned in court

Justin is a trial attorney. His approach is built on preparation and courtroom work.

When you compare Lake County and Cook County defense lawyers, ask who has tried cases, handled high-volume DUI dockets, and will prepare as if the matter may go to verdict. That is Justin's standard.

Free consultation — talk to Justin's office today

If you were arrested for DUI, charged with a crime, or contacted by police about an investigation in Lake County or Cook County, do not wait for the next court date to get advice.

• Phone: 847-520-4810
• Office: 433 N. Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090
• Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
• Contact form: Contact Us
• Bilingual staff: Bilingual staff available. Se habla español.

For new DUI and criminal matters, start with 847-520-4810 or the contact page. Profile cell/text/fax numbers remain available for existing clients.

A word from Attorney Justin Stavros

Looking for a DUI or criminal defense attorney can feel overwhelming—especially right after a stop, when your license is at risk, or a court date is already set. My job is to turn that chaos into a plan.

As a Lake County prosecutor I learned how the State builds DUI and criminal files—what gets charged, what evidence carries weight, and where cases fall apart. I have since handled thousands of DUI-related matters and taken countless cases to verdict. When a case goes to a jury, I treat jury selection as a core part of the defense—not an afterthought.

I also spent five years as General Counsel at a major Chicago investment firm. That matters when a charge intersects with employment, licensing, business ownership, or reputation. I explain options clearly, prepare as if the case may be tried, and push for the result the evidence and law support—without promising outcomes no ethical lawyer can promise.

If you want a straight conversation about your situation, call the office. The consultation is free.

Former Lake County Assistant State's Attorney — courtroom background

After earning his Juris Doctor cum laude in 2007, Justin dedicated nearly six years to public service as an Assistant State's Attorney in Lake County, Illinois. He advanced through high-volume, high-stakes units including:

• Traffic & DUI
• Misdemeanor
• Domestic Violence
• Juvenile / Felony Trial

That path gave him an insider's view of how cases are screened, charged, negotiated, and tried. On defense, he uses that insight to anticipate arguments, spot weak evidence, and position clients early—while video, testing records, and witness issues are still fresh.

He has handled contested proceedings including jury trials, bench trials, and suppression litigation. Whether a case turns on the stop, testing, credibility, body-worn camera footage, science, or procedure, Justin builds practical strategies meant to hold up in court.

DUI attorney — Lake County and Cook County

DUI defense is a core focus of Justin's practice. An Illinois DUI is rarely “just a ticket.” It can mean a criminal charge, a separate Statutory Summary Suspension, insurance and employment issues, and—depending on the facts—enhanced or aggravated allegations.

Justin focuses on the details that often decide DUI cases:

• The legality of the stop and any search or seizure
• Standardized field sobriety testing and officer observations
• Breath, blood, or urine testing procedures and documentation
• Body-worn camera and squad video
• Prior records, CDL issues, and license deadlines
• Early motion practice when the facts and law support it

Whether your case is in Lake County, a Cook County suburban venue, or another Northern Illinois county we serve, early review matters. License-notice deadlines can be short. Silence about case facts—except with your lawyer—protects you.

Explore related practice pages:

• Criminal defense, DUI, and traffic hub
• DUI defense (Illinois)
• First-time DUI Illinois
• Aggravated DUI Illinois
• Statutory Summary Suspension Illinois
• DUI lawyer Wheeling, IL
• CDL / commercial driver DUI Illinois

Charged or under investigation for DUI in or around Wheeling, Lake County, or Cook County? Call 847-520-4810 before discussing case facts with anyone but your lawyer.

Cook County and Lake County criminal defense

Justin defends clients facing misdemeanors and felonies—including cases that began as traffic stops and matters involving domestic allegations, drugs, theft, violence, or other charges. His approach emphasizes:

• Early case evaluation and investigation
• Challenging unlawful stops, searches, and statements when the law supports it
• Negotiation informed by how prosecutors actually assess files
• Trial preparation—including jury selection—when a negotiated resolution is not the right path

Related pages on this site:

• Felony defense
• Misdemeanor defense
• Domestic violence / domestic battery defense
• Drug crimes defense
• Expungement & sealing
• Criminal defense lawyer Arlington Heights

Jury trials and jury selection

Many DUI and criminal cases resolve without a jury. Some should not. Justin has tried countless cases to verdict and treats jury selection as a specialized skill—identifying bias, protecting fair jurors, and framing the defense from the first questions in court.

If you want a lawyer who prepares for trial—not only a quick plea—ask about that at the free consultation. Trial preparation often improves leverage even when a case later resolves short of a verdict.

Business judgment that shows up in criminal and civil work

Justin spent five years as General Counsel at a major Chicago investment firm, managing legal and compliance issues for an organization with millions in assets and more than 300 employees.

That background is uncommon among suburban DUI and criminal defense lawyers. It helps when a charge collides with employment, ownership, licensing, or financial scrutiny—and it informs his civil work.

In 2015, he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with high honors, adding a practical lens on risk, leverage, and deal structure.

Civil litigation and business matters

Justin also advises Illinois individuals, businesses, and property owners on contracts, dispute resolution, civil litigation, and real estate (leasing, acquisitions, sales).

• Breach of contract
• Real estate transactions
• Practice areas overview

Personal injury

Personal injury claims at Stavros Law Offices are primarily handled by Vincent M. Stavros, Chair of the firm's Personal Injury practice. For car accidents, premises liability, or related negligence, start with Vince's profile or the injury hub; the firm will route you correctly.

• Vincent Stavros — Partner | Chair, Personal Injury
• Personal injury practice

Areas of practice (at a glance)

• DUI defense (Lake County, Cook County, and surrounding Northern Illinois)
• Criminal defense — misdemeanors and felonies
• Traffic and license-related criminal matters
• Domestic violence / domestic battery defense
• Drug crimes defense
• Expungement and sealing
• Jury trial defense and suppression litigation
• Civil litigation, contracts, and real estate

Credentials, bar, and education

• Partner, Stavros Law Offices (Wheeling, IL)
• Juris Doctor (J.D.), cum laude (2007)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA), high honors (2015)
• Former Assistant State's Attorney, Lake County, Illinois
• Licensed to practice law in Illinois
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA)

Firm attorneys are also active in the Cook County Bar Association and Lake County Bar Association (see the attorney profiles page).

Wheeling home base — Lake County and Cook County focus

Stavros Law Offices is based at 433 N. Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090—at the practical crossroads of Cook County and Lake County. The firm has served Northern Illinois since 1978.

Justin represents clients across Lake, Cook, McHenry, Kane, Will, DuPage, DeKalb, Boone, and Kendall Counties, depending on the case. For a Wheeling DUI attorney, Lake County DUI lawyer, or Cook County criminal defense, this office is built for that geography—not a downtown mill with a rented suburb address.

Next step — call for a free consultation

If you face a DUI, criminal charge, or related license problem in Lake County or Cook County, Justin's goal is straightforward: reduce stress, take control of the case, and drive toward the strongest result the facts and law allow.

Call 847-520-4810 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. Se habla español.