About Us

Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer Only Handling Criminal Cases in Chicago Metropolitan Area

My name is James Dimeas and I am a criminal defense lawyer who is based out of Chicago and Schaumburg, Illinois. My office is located in Schaumburg, Illinois, within a short driving distance of all the courthouses in the Chicago Metropolitan Area, including all the courthouses in Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, and Lake County, Illinois. I have spent over-30 years concentrating in handling criminal cases only. In my over-30 years of only handling criminal cases, I have developed a unique understanding and appreciation of the importance of my work. My efforts to ensure that the Constitutional Rights of my clients are maintained, preserved, and protected is critical to the health of our democracy and our way of life. Not only is it my duty to the Constitution, it is also the duty that I owe to each and every client that I have represented, and will be honored to represent in the future. It is a solemn responsibility that I do not take lightly.

I understand what it’s like to be facing criminal charges. I understand what it’s like to face the possibility of being sent to prison and having your life ruined. I understand that once you decide to hire me you are placing your trust in me to be there for you. You are counting on me to protect you and fight for you. I understand how having a criminal record could negatively affect almost every aspect of your life. I realize what’s it’s like to know that you are facing the awesome power of the government. I know that this can be overwhelming. When you walk into court you will realize that the police, prosecutors, and judges are all being paid by the government. Even the jurors, the people that will ultimately decide your guilt or innocence, are being paid by the government. The only person that is there for you is your lawyer. I fully understand that. That’s one of the reasons that I became a criminal defense attorney. That’s why I owe it to you to focus my full attention on handling criminal cases only.I have a duty to do my best for you and be the best criminal defense lawyer possible. I do not believe I can do that by trying to be the best divorce lawyer or real estate lawyer at the same time.

I also realize that you deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. When you call me to ask a question, you deserve to speak to me, not my secretary or my legal assistant, but speak to me. When you send me a text message with a question, you deserve a response to that text message from me. That’s why I will give you my personal cell phone number and personal email address. You can call me, send me a text message or email me anytime if you have a question that needs to be answered. I always put myself in my client’s shoes. I always ask myself this question: How would you like your lawyer to treat you if you were facing criminal charges? The basic notion that you should always treat others the same way that you would want others to treat you has always served me well.

In all the criminal cases that I have handled in the past 26-plus years, I realize that one of the most valuable resources available to help me do my job is you. I will need your assistance and your cooperation to do my job effectively. The best way to get your assistance and cooperation in helping me obtain a successful resolution of your case is to make sure that you are informed about your case and understand what is happening from beginning to end. When you understand what is happening, and what the plan is, you can give me the information I need to help me fight your case. Any attorney who ignores his client’s questions or ignores their phone calls and text messages, is not only hurting their client, but is hurting their chances of winning the case. My 26-plus years of focusing on criminal cases only has given me this unique perspective which is one of the main reasons behind my success and my accomplishments.

Practice Areas

I handle all criminal cases throughout Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, and Lake County. I also handle criminal cases in Federal Court. I have appeared in Federal Court in Chicago, Rockford, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Some of the main types of criminal cases that I handle are:

• DUI
• DUI and a CDL
• Second DUI
• Underage DUI-DUI Under 21
• DUI and Prescription Drugs
• Illegal Transportation of Alcohol, Open Alcohol
• Medical Cannabis/Marijuana and DUI
• Theft
• Retail Theft
• Shoplifting
• Burglary
• Disorderly Conduct
• Criminal Trespass
• Residential Burglary
• Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle
• Identity Theft
• Domestic Battery
• Aggravated Domestic Battery
• Domestic Violence
• Weapons Charges
• Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm
• Unlawful Use of a Weapon
• Unlawful Use of a Weapon By a Felon
• Drug Crimes
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Possession of Cannabis/Marijuana
• Possession of Cocaine
• Delivery of a Controlled Substance
• Prescription Drug Fraud
• Bond Court
• Probation Violations
• Violent Crimes
• Aggravated Battery
• Battery
• Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License
• Distracted Driving
• Aggravated Speeding
• Speeding in a Construction Zone
• Scott’s Law – The “Move Over” Law
• Street Racing/Drag Racing
• Violation of Order of Protection
• Deferred Prosecution Programs
• Expungement and Sealing

Professional Memberships

• American Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• DuPage County Bar Association
• Northwest Suburban Bar Association
• The National Trial Lawyers
• The American Society of Legal Advocates
• The National Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
• The National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
• Oxford Heritage Institute American Trial Academy: Top Tier Lawyers

Background

I grew up on the northwest side of Chicago. I am a 1985 graduate of Gordon Tech High School. I graduated from Loyola University of Chicago in 1989 with a Bachelor’s Degree. I spent 3 years living in Lansing Michigan, attending, and graduating from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in 1992. I passed the Illinois Bar Exam the same year and became a licensed lawyer shortly after. I immediately started working in the Loop, trying cases in front of juries and judges in downtown Chicago. My first jury trial was about 4 months after I became a lawyer. In 1995 I started my own Law Firm, The Chicago Lawyers Group, out of the Loop and the northwest side of Chicago. A few years later I started the Legal Defenders, P.C. Under my leadership, this firm became one of the leading criminal defense firms in Chicago. In August 2017, I officially left the firm to start my own practice based in Schaumburg, to focus only on handling criminal cases.

I have handled several high-profile cases in Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, and Lake County in the past 30 years. I have been quoted in numerous newspaper articles and interviewed on television news broadcasts a few times for the cases that I have handled. I’ve been interviewed by reporters and have been quoted by journalists in articles written about various legal subjects. I am a published author. In 2012, I authored Chapter One of a book that teaches lawyers how to properly and effectively represent people charged with the crime of Identity Theft. I was recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as a “Top 100 Criminal Trial Lawyer.” This honor is only reserved for the top criminal defense attorneys in the country. Recently, I was recognized as a “Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer In the State of Illinois For the Year 2018, 2019, and 2020,” by The American Society of Legal Advocates. Attorney and Practice Magazine gave me the “Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney Award for Illinois.” The National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys recognized me with the “Top 10 Attorney Award for the State of Illinois”. In 2017 I was recognized by Expertise as a “Top 20 Criminal Defense Lawyer in Chicago.” I have been named a “Best DUI Attorney.” I have a “Superb” 10 out of 10, rating from AVVO, the leading national organization that rates all the attorneys in the United States. This is the highest rating possible for any criminal defense attorney in the United States. The American Association of Criminal Law Attorneys recognized me as a “10 Best Attorney for Client Satisfaction.” I have repeatedly been recognized as one of the best criminal lawyer in Chicago and the United States.

I am licensed to practice law by the Illinois Supreme Court and am also licensed to practice in the Federal District Court for the 7th Circuit. I am a member of the Federal Trial Bar in the 7th Circuit. To try a case in Federal Court in Chicago, you must be admitted to the Federal Trial Bar. You are required to meet stringent requirements and your application is reviewed by a Panel of Federal Judges who must be satisfied that you meet their strict requirements. I have appeared in Federal Court as far away as Rockford and Las Vegas, Nevada.

I have lived in the Chicago area my whole life. I currently live in the Northwest suburbs, within easy reach of all the courthouses in the Chicago Metropolitan area. I am happily married to my wonderful wife of over 20 years and we have a teenage son. I coached Little League Baseball for several years and served on my son’s High School Advisory Council. I am an avid fisherman and a rabid Cubs fan.

Call to Talk to a Highly-Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer

I am always available to talk to you about your case. I will listen to you and I will tell you what you are facing and what I can do to help you. I will be honest with you and I will answer your questions honestly and let you know what I can do for you. You can contact meanytime to discuss your case. You can always talk to me personally by calling 847-807-7405.