Kane County Criminal Defense Lawyers

Zuelke & Byrd, LLC

1500 Lincoln Highway
Suite 200
St. Charles, Illinois 60174
USA

(630) 444-0200

(630) 444-1450

www.auroracriminallawyer.com

Contact Sandi L. Byrd

Law Firm Overview FREE CONSULTATION

At Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C., lawyers Don Zuelke and Sandi Byrd are committed to representing all clients zealously. Anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent under the law, and deserves to have his or her rights protected.

A person charged with a crime has a right to understand what his or her rights are, and needs someone to fight for these rights under the law. Everyone is entitled to a strong defense, no matter what charges they may face or what the evidence is against them. Our attorneys work hard to get the best possible outcome in each case that we handle.

We welcome clients from the Hispanic community and offer legal services in Spanish. One of our attorneys, Don Zuelke, speaks Spanish.

We provide services to our clients from two convenient offices in Aurora, IL and St. Charles.

Our attorneys have represented clients primarily in criminal cases for most of their legal careers. Both were assistant public defenders for years before going into private practice. Don is a member of the Capital Litigation Trial Bar, qualified and authorized to represent clients in death penalty cases in Illinois. Sandi is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Both attorneys practice before all state and local courts in Kane, Kendall, DuPage, DeKalb, and surrounding counties, and are members of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Kane County Bar Association.

Languages: English & Spanish

Areas of Law

Additional Areas of Law: Aggravated Assault; Criminal Sexual Assault; Domestic Assault; Domestic Battery; Aggravated Battery With a Firearm; Armed Robbery; Home Invasion With a Weapon; Carjacking; Attempted Murder; Aggravated Arson; Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm; Mob Action; First Degree Murder; Involuntary Manslaughter; Reckless Homicide; Violation of Restraining Order; Stalking; Aggravated Stalking; Unlawful Restraint; Misdemeanor; Driving Under a Suspended or Revoked License; Driving in a Construction Zone; Reckless Driving; Driving Without Insurance; Speeding Violation; Property Crimes; Vandalism; Graffiti; Auto Theft; Damage to Property; Internet Fraud; Hacking; Phishing; Selling of Pirated Goods Over the Internet; Internet Gambling; Internet-Initiated Human Trafficking and Child Solicitation; Forcible Rape; Indecent Solicitation of a Minor; Indecent Exposure; Pandering; Public Indecency; Larceny; Forgery; Bad Checks; Possession of Any Stolen Property; Probation and Parole Violations.

Areas of Law Description

The attorneys at Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C. represent people charged with the following:

- Criminal Defense

At Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C., we focus exclusively on criminal defense law. As assistant public defenders, we represented thousands of people in criminal proceedings. We continue to defend people charged with crimes as defense attorneys in private practice. Our attorneys believe that everyone is entitled to a skilled, vigorous defense, no matter the charge or the evidence presented against them.

- Assault & Aggravated Battery

The criminal defense attorneys of Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C., are well equipped to defend people against charges of violent crimes such as assault or aggravated battery. We know how to protect your rights throughout the legal process, from arraignment hearings to post-conviction relief petitions.

- Murder & Reckless Homicide

The Illinois criminal defense lawyers at our firm, Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C., have defended people against murder and reckless homicide charges. The stakes in such cases are high and the punishment severe. A conviction for a charge of first degree murder will lead to a sentence of many years in prison, or even life without parole or the death penalty. A conviction for attempted murder, second degree murder (manslaughter), or reckless homicide or involuntary manslaughter can also result in a lengthy prison sentence. It is critical to have a skilled attorney who has experience defending people against homicide charges. Contact an experienced homicide defense lawyer at our firm, Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C., if you have been arrested for murder or are being investigated. We can help.

- Guns & Weapons Charges

Illinois law is complicated regarding weapons violations. There are many exceptions, and the penalties for a violation of gun laws depend on age, prior criminal convictions, and the circumstances surrounding a charge of violating Illinois gun laws. Municipalities often have separate laws regulating gun possession and use within the boundaries of the city or town. Additionally, gun laws frequently change.

- Domestic Violence

Our Kane County domestic violence defense lawyers at Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C., know how confusing and stressful any domestic violence charge can be. A person accused of domestic battery or a restraining order violation may have been wrongly accused. Often the alleged victim does not want to pursue charges but the prosecutor will not drop the charges. Many people charged with domestic battery have lived a law abiding life and have never abused anyone before, and find themselves charged with domestic violence for a minor incident that would not have been prosecuted a few short years ago. Sometimes the prosecution process can cause more division within the family than the alleged incident that led to the charge.

- DUI / DWI

An Illinois conviction for DUI carries significant penalties. The penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can include driver’s revocation or license suspension, jail time, fines, and other penalties. Moreover, the state legislature continues to increase the penalties and other consequences for DUI. New laws that take effect in 2006 expand the number of DUI / DWI charges that can be charged as felonies. It is important to have a defense attorney who knows the ever-changing Illinois laws against drunk driving. It is important to have a skilled DUI defense attorney represent you if facing a DUI charge.

- Traffic Offenses

We defend people against all petty misdemeanor and felony traffic crimes. Many traffic offenses can result in the suspension of one's driver's license upon conviction. If you have been charged with driving while your license is suspended or revoked as a result of a DUI charge, you may be facing mandatory jail time or even a felony charge. Other traffic charges that can result in felony charges under some circumstances are fleeing and eluding, (failure to stop for a police officer) reckless driving, and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. Anyone charged with a misdemeanor or felony traffic offense should be represented by an attorney to ensure that his or her rights are fully protected. Even one who is charged with a petty traffic offense should consider talking to a lawyer, especially if the person has had a ticket within the previous year or has a bad driving record.

- Drug Charges

The skilled defense lawyers at Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C. , know the state laws relating to possession and sale of controlled substances such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy, and marijuana. The consequences for violating Illinois drug laws continue to get worse, with increasingly severe penalties if convicted of possession, trafficking, sale, delivery, distribution, or manufacture of controlled substances or marijuana. We use our knowledge of Illinois drug offenses and their penalties to provide a strong defense against any drug charge. If you have been arrested or are charged with a drug case of any kind, contact a lawyer who has experience in representing clients in drug cases at Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C., right away. Both Sandi Byrd and Don Zuelke have extensive experience in representing people charged with drug crimes under Illinois law.

- Sex Crimes

The defense lawyers of Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C., have a substantial record defending individuals accused of sex crimes. We have represented people charged with: Sexual assault; Aggravated criminal sexual assault; Predatory criminal sexual assault; Criminal sexual abuse and aggravated criminal sexual abuse; Forcible rape; Child pornography; Prostitution; Indecent solicitation of a minor; Indecent exposure; Pandering; Criminal sexual abuse (statutory rape); Possession of pornography; and, Public indecency.

- Internet Sex Crimes

The consequences for sex crimes - whether or not they occur on the Internet - are becoming more severe. Individuals charged with sex crimes face serious consequences including mandatory prison time, and sex offender registration as well as restrictions as to where the offender can work, live and spend his or her time.

- Juvenile Offenses

The lawyers at our criminal defense firm, Sandi Byrd and Don Zuelke are experienced in representing juveniles in delinquency proceedings and know how serious an adjudication of delinquency can be. Even more serious is the transfer of a juvenile case to adult court, where a criminal conviction can follow a young person throughout his or her life. Our attorneys will make every effort to keep legal proceedings against a minor child in juvenile court to mitigate the consequences of youthful misbehavior. If your child has been accused in a juvenile delinquency petition, contact an experienced juvenile delinquency defense attorney at Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C. We will immediately begin working with you to protect the rights of your child.

- Theft & Property Offenses

The defense lawyers at our firm, Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C. , defend people against charges of theft and other property crimes. Theft is generally the taking of or possession of another person's property without consent. Theft can also be trying to acquire someone else’s property through deceit, such as a deliberately writing a bad check. Sandi Byrd and Don Zuelke are experienced in defending individuals against all types of theft and property crimes. Contact the skilled property crimes attorneys at Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C., if you have been accused of theft or any other property crime. We will work to protect your rights during the legal proceedings against you.

- Probation and Parole Violations

At the stage of being charged with probation or parole violation, solid legal representation is key. An individual could face the original penalties for the original crime committed and other penalties. These penalties are generally determined by the severity of the violation.