Stephen L. Richards
Attorney Profile
Top Rated Criminal Defense Attorney in Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL 60604
- Criminal Defense (70%),
- Appellate (20%),
- Civil Rights (10%)
For more than 30 years, Stephen L. Richards has devoted his practice to handling criminal charges, criminal appeals and civil rights lawsuits for clients in Chicago and northeastern Illinois. A veteran of more than 125 felony jury trials, hundreds of bench trials and thousands of other cases in which he effectively negotiated positive outcomes for his clients, Stephen is best known for his work in highly publicized capital murder cases, appeals and reform efforts. That said, he also represents clients facing felony charges that span the entire spectrum of criminal law including drug offenses and white collar criminal charges of every type, including fraud, money laundering and RICO cases.
Stephen is an honors graduate of the University of Chicago and Brooklyn Law School. Before re-entering private practice in 2008, Stephen spent nearly 20 years in public service, first as an assistant public defender in Cook County, and later as a deputy defender in the Office of the Appellate Defender. In 2003, Stephen was honored to receive the National Legal Aid and Defender Association's Kutak-Dodds Award, also known as "The Defender" prize.
To learn more about Mr. Richards, visit the Law Office of Stephen L. Richards website at http://www.richardscriminallaw.com/.
Criminal Defense (70%)
Appellate (20%)
Civil Rights (10%)
Selections
Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2020
To: Stephen L. Richards
Super Lawyers: Potential Client Inquiry
Additional Sources of Information About Stephen L. Richards
About Stephen Richards
Admitted: 1985, Illinois
Professional Webpage: http://www.richardscriminallaw.com/Attorneys/Stephen-L-Richa...
Honors/Awards:
- Kutak-Dodds Award, Defender Prize, National Legal Aid and Defender Association, 2003
- Order of Barristers, Moot Court, Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Lead Counsel, Capital Litigation Trial Bar, Illinois Supreme Court, 2001
Bar/Professional Activity:
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2008
- Illinois, 1985
- Board Member, Illinois Public Defender Association, 2000 - Present
- President, Illinois Public Defender Association, 2006 - 2008
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Capital Jury Selection, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal, 2007
- New Ideas for Jury Selection, Illinois Public Defender Association, 2007
- The Admissibility of Expert Testimony, American Bar Association, 2003
- Reasonable Doubt Redux, 34 John Marshall L. Rev. 495, 2001
Representative Clients:
- People v. Arthur King, 154 Ill.2d 217, 608 N.E.2d 877 (Ill. S. Ct.), 1993
- People v. Terry Griggs, 152 Ill.2d 1, 604 N.E.2d 257 (Ill. S. Ct.), 1992
Educational Background:
- University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, B.A. in History With Honors
Stephen L. Richards:
Last Updated: 5/1/2018