Wheaton Criminal Defense Attorney

The Law Offices of Vincent F. Cornelius

122 South County Farm Road
Suite E
Wheaton, Illinois 60187-4594
USA

(630) 665-6644

(630) 665-9617

www.corneliuslaw.com

Contact Vincent Cornelius

Law Firm Overview FREE CONSULTATION

At The Law Office of Vincent F. Cornelius, criminal defense and civil litigation attorney Vincent Cornelius gives each client his full attention from the first ring of the phone in his Joliet or Wheaton office. Mr.

Cornelius understands that having an experienced lawyer at the outset is critical to ensure that your Constitutional rights are protected. Moreover, he can provide a detailed explanation of the charges, and a realistic outlook of your options and potential outcomes.

A qualified criminal defense attorney should be diligent and prepared to defend your case from the outset. At the first office visit, Mr. Cornelius will have already prepared a case file for you. To mount a successful defense, a criminal lawyer must have a clear view of the case and all pertinent facts. Mr. Cornelius and his law firm staff have the experience and resources to conduct thorough investigations.

From that first ring of the phone, Mr. Cornelius acts with a sense of urgency and a sense of obligation to his client. He knows that the information gathered, the decisions made, and the strategies taken will affect that client for many years or even for life. With more than 20 years of experience in criminal law (as a former prosecutor as well), Illinois criminal law defense lawyer Vincent F. Cornelius has the experience and knowledge to fight for his clients rights in jury and non-jury trials and in plea negotiations. (See a Summary of Cases.) Mr. Cornelius serves clients in Chicago and the surrounding suburban areas of Will, DuPage, Kendall, and Kane counties.

Whatever the charge, whoever the client might be, Chicago criminal law attorney Vincent Cornelius knows how to handle the case. Each client is treated with personal attention, consideration and respect by a criminal defense lawyer known for his honesty, integrity, responsibility and strong work ethic.

Areas of Law

Additional Areas of Law: Felony Criminal Cases; Multiple DUI; Property Crimes; Criminal Damage to Property; Forgery; Counterfeiting; Violent Crimes; Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault; Cybersex Offenses; Property Division.

Areas of Law Description

The Law Offices of Vincent F. Cornelius represents clients in both civil and criminal matters including:

- Criminal Defense

Becoming involved in the criminal justice system can be a frightening and intimidating process. Should you become involved in the criminal justice system, it is important to involve an experienced criminal defense attorney early in the process, preferably as soon as you know you are being investigated or the police make contact with you. Many crimes now carry mandatory jail or prison sentences and the United States has a higher incarceration rate than any other industrialized country. It is important to protect your rights as early in the process as possible and you should not answer any questions of the police or investigators before speaking with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

* DUI / DWI

Every DUI (DWI drunk driving) case is different - different client, different circumstances, different evidence. Suburban Chicago DUI attorney Vincent F. Cornelius views each case and each client as a unique circumstance. However, the commitment to aggressive representation and professional advice is consistent with each client. There is no "cookie cutter" or "DUI mill" approach to the law at his law firm. An experienced DUI lawyer should challenge the stop before proceeding to the merits of the state's claim. Mr. Cornelius begins each initial visit by investigating why the client was stopped and how the evidence was obtained. If warranted, he will immediately file a petition in an endeavor to prevent the summary suspension of the client's driver's license.

* Domestic Violence

Mr. Cornelius understands that because domestic issues are so emotionally charged, people are inclined to immediately conclude that a defendant is guilty, even though he or she has not been convicted in a court of law, and no evidence of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt has been presented. Therefore, in every domestic violence case, Mr. Cornelius works to quell the initial emotions with a conciliatory approach. A unique characteristic of the law firm is the special concern for: Protecting the client's rights; Minimizing the impact on a criminal record; Tailoring the defense to the facts, the circumstances and to the individual client; Considering the police statements, prosecutor and judge involved in the case.

* Drug Charges

Drug crimes can include everything from simple possession to allegations of manufacture, sale or delivery of illegal substances. Defendant’s charged with drug offenses can be charged under state or federal laws. Depending on the severity of the offenses a defendant convicted of a drug crime can be sentenced to prison, jail, or probation and ordered to pay restitution, drug fines and assessments, or face forfeiture of property including cash and vehicles. When facing drug charges, the best kind of criminal attorney to have on your side is a lawyer who knows the law and who knows the court systems in DuPage, Cook, Will, Kane, Kendall and other counties. Suburban Chicago area defense lawyer Vincent F. Cornelius has the necessary experience plus he approaches each drug charge case as unique. He has extensive experience in defending Metro Chicago drug charges.

* Juvenile Law

Before a client even meets with juvenile criminal defense attorney Vincent F. Cornelius, he has already started his research on the matter involved. In juvenile matters, what happens in each case will influence a young person's life for many years to come. Mr. Cornelius knows that, and he uses his extensive experience to look for options and alternatives suited to the case. He is a former Juvenile Court prosecutor with fifteen years’ experience in juvenile court cases. Juvenile court cases alleging neglect and abuse also involve the rules and regulations of the Department of Children and Family Services. These cases can be very complicated. The Law Office of Vincent F. Cornelius is seasoned and experienced in handling all such matters. He serves clients throughout the surrounding suburban areas of Will, DuPage, and DeKalb counties.

* While Collar Crime

Non-violent crimes that are primarily related to financial issues are sometimes referred to as white collar crimes. The same legal principles involved in other crimes are also involved in white collar crimes and white collar defendants are entitled to the same rights and protections as defendants charged with other crimes. White collar crimes often involve complex financial matters and sentences can include long prison sentences as well as significant fines, court costs, restitution to the victim(s), and/or forfeiture of assets. It is important to engage the services of an experienced attorney familiar with the issues involved in white collar crimes as soon as possible in order to protect your rights. If you are facing fraud, embezzlement, theft or conspiracy charges, you need an attorney who will research your case, protect your rights, and follow your best interests whether that means a trial or a negotiated plea.

* Felony Criminal Cases

The penalties for a felony conviction can be very harsh, with lifelong consequences which can include a lengthy period incarceration, and the lifelong stigma of a felony conviction. Recent changes in the law include mandatory minimum jail or prison sentences and zero tolerance restrictions for certain offenses. This may include the offense with which you are charged. The need for experienced and aggressive criminal defense has never been greater. Attorney Vincent Cornelius has more than 20 years of experience in criminal defense. This experience allows him to identify the best strategic approaches to defending a felony case, and possible sentencing alternatives. As a former prosecutor, he understands how both sides approach a criminal case.

* Retail Theft

The Law Offices of Vincent F. Cornelius, located in Wheaton and Joliet, represents clients who have been charged with retail theft and other criminal offenses, throughout northern Illinois, including the city of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs of Naperville and Aurora. We understand the potential damages a retail theft charge can do to your professional career and personal life. That is why we work hard to protect your rights, from the onset of the accusation, through police investigation, and on to criminal defense litigation. As a former prosecutor, criminal defense attorney Vincent F. Cornelius understands what it takes to win a case. He has achieved successful results for clients facing retail theft charges in Cook County, DuPage County, Kendall County and Will County, Illinois.

* Traffic Violations

Usually when you are given a citation for a traffic violation, there’s only a certain amount of time you have to pay for it, otherwise a warrant for your arrest could be issued and your driver’s license could be suspended. Most people go ahead and pay the fines for traffic tickets involving moving violations, or what is sometimes known as “strict liability” offenses, such as: Speeding; Running a Red Light; Reckless Driving; Driving without Car Insurance; Parking in a Handicapped Zone; Improper Lane Usage; Driving with an Expired License Plate or Registration. Regardless of the type of traffic violations or the number of citations you have, it’s important that you understand your rights and talk to a traffic violations attorney, who can help you reduce the fines and penalties on your driving record, and who can help to protect your driving privileges.

* Expungements

At the Law Offices of Vincent F. Cornelius, we don’t just fight to keep you out of jail; we fight to keep your criminal records clean. If you were arrested for a crime and put on trial as a result, it doesn’t matter if you are found innocent and not convicted; it doesn’t even matter if your charges were dismissed. Your criminal records still exist to be seen by employers, teachers, apartment managers, police officers and other law enforcement personnel, who can review your criminal arrest records while doing a background check, unless you “clear” them through expungement.

- Civil Litigation

Mr. Cornelius' law firm handles a wide range of civil litigation cases including: Personal injury; Car accidents; Truck accidents; Motorcycle accidents; Medical malpractice; Wrongful death; Catastrophic injury; Other accidents caused by negligence; Family law litigation; Civil rights. Mr. Cornelius offers professional, client-focused legal advice for individuals mired in a civil dispute. While it appears glamorous and compelling on television, he understands that litigation is often a contentious process that often times has no true winner. To that end, he is willing to pursue alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and arbitration when appropriate. In its civil litigation work, Mr. Cornelius' law firm has represented individuals, corporations, churches and not-for-profit entities in a wide array of disputes, including those involving real estate, automobile accidents, breach of contract and many others. Put his legal experience to work for you.

- Family Law

The Law Offices of Vincent F. Cornelius take a practical approach to family law and divorce matters. Legal matters that affect the family can quickly become contentious and difficult for all involved. While not every family law dispute can be avoided, focused and compassionate legal advocacy can help in amicably resolving family law disputes. Our firm provides representation in a range of family law matters: Divorce; Legal separation; Child custody; Child support; Spousal support/alimony; Property division. It is easy to let emotions take control in a divorce. However, there is rarely a winner when a divorce becomes highly contentious — especially when children are involved. Vincent Cornelius' law office guides clients in making practical decisions about their futures.