Jessica J Koester

Bar / Professional Activity

• U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois, 2004
• U.S. Supreme Court, 2006
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association
• Member, Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
• Illinois, 2002
• U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 2005
• Member, Madison County Bar Association, 2002 - 2023
• Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Member - Illinois State Bar Association Criminal Justice Section Council 2021-2023, 2023
• ISBA Committee on Corrections and Sentencing  Prior chair of the Committee, 2023
• U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, 2005

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

• Client was charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. At the close of all evidence at trial, the judge granted my motion for directed verdict, and acquitted my client of the charge.  He determined there was no way any reasonable jury could find my client guilty beyond a reasonable doubt., 2024
• Client was charged with several felony counts of attempted residential burglary.  I was able to have most counts dismissed and have the remaining count amended to misdemeanor disorderly conduct. The client was placed on court supervision, so no conviction was entered and the entire matter will be expungeable., 2024
• Police department attempted to file a DUI charge outside of the statute of limitations. I was able to quickly get the case dismissed and have the statutory summary suspension rescinded., 2024
• Client was charged with Reckless Discharge of a Firearm - charge dismissed Client shot two people killing one of them - Avoided any criminal charges being filed; Client was charged with Money Laundering - all charges were dismissed; Client was charged with Failure to Register - charges were dismissed; Client was charges with Class 2 Offenses Related to Motor Vehicles - client plead guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct for court supervision; Client was charged with Attempted Enticement of a Minor in federal court - this charge has a statutory minimum of 10 years in federal prison, convinced the government to amend the charge to an offense with a statutory maximum of 5 years.  Client was sentenced to less than four years in the Bureau of Prisons.

Pro bono / Community Service

• Pro Bono Work for the Good Samaritan House, 2011
• Partners 4 Pets

Educational Background

• University of Notre Dame - Juris Doctorate, 2002
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, B.A. in Political Science, 1999

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

• A brief overview of the rules and regulations of recreational cannabis along with instructions on the expungement process for those with previous marijuana cases., Moderator and Speaker, Cannabis: Recreational Use Parameters and Expungement How To's, Illinois State Bar Association, Criminal Defense, 2020
• A comprehensive analysis of search and seizure law in the State of Illinois., Author, Illinois Search and Seizure, Lexis Nexis, Criminal Defense, 2023

Other Outstanding Achievements

• Expertise, Best Criminal Lawyers in St. Louis, 2020

Honors

• Litigator of the Year, American Institute of Trial Lawyers, 2023
• Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney Illinois, Best of the Best Attorneys, 2023
• Nationally Ranked Top 10 Attorney in Criminal Law, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2022
• 10 Best in Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, 2023
• Best of Edwardsville DUI Gold Winner, Best of Edwardsville, 2022
• Top 100 Criminal Defense, The National Trial Lawyers, 2022
• Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney Illinois, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2023
• Top 10 Best Criminal Defense Attorneys, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2018
• Top 10 Best Criminal Defense Attorneys, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2021
• Top 10 Best Criminal Defense Attorneys, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2020

“Jessica has an acute ability to spot issues and to ethically represent her clients with zealous advocacy”