Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Attorney Brian Hiatt offers experienced representation in civil and criminal matters. He is a skilled trial lawyer who has been practicing in the Kankakee and Chicago metropolitan area for more than 15 years. You can count on him for diligent advocacy.
• DUI/DWI
  Any Illinois DUI arrest — even for a first offense — can be a miserable experience. You must post bond and pay towing and storage fees before retrieving your vehicle. Your license will be suspended for six months to three years regardless of the outcome of the DUI. If you are found guilty, court-ordered treatment and fines will run into the thousands of dollars. It also may result in the revocation of your driving privileges or license suspension. Subsequent offenses can be charged as felonies, which are punishable by prison.
• Sex Crimes
  When it comes to crimes that elicit immediate public outcry and outrage, it is hard to think of something more inflammatory than that of child pornography. Being charged with the production, possession, or distribution of child pornography is taking extremely seriously by the courts, and is punished harshly and severely. And while there are many instances where this punishment is roundly deserved, there are also instances where the crime is a bit hazier. Opening upon the wrong email, for example, with an attachment that you didn’t realize was there, or even receiving a text message that included questionable material not solicited or expected by you, can land you in hot water.
• Fraud
• Robbery
• Burglary
• White Collar Crimes
  Our society’s dependence on technology has led to increased means of accessing and transferring funds electronically. Unauthorized access, however, can lead to serious criminal charges. Increasingly, white collar crime charges involve computer and electronic evidence. Challenging that evidence is often a key to building a successful defense.
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
  Drug crimes in Illinois can range from a misdemeanor through a Class X felony, and can lead to anywhere from probation to decades in prison. The deciding factor really depends upon the amount of the drug in your possession as well as the kind of drug. If the drug was an opiate that is classified as a Schedule II drug, for example, you could face a felony conviction and spend years in prison. You might also find yourself having to pay expensive fines. And if you were found with a large amount of the drug in your possession, you could also be charged for distribution of the drug. Should that happen, the stakes regarding your prison time and fines are dramatically increased.
• Embezzlement
• Drug Crimes
  The “War on Drugs” has resulted in stiff penalties for persons convicted of a drug offense. In Illinois, many types of drug crimes require mandatory prison time; in federal court, imprisonment is all but a certainty. Even first offenders can find themselves subjected to jail sentences, long terms of probation, court-ordered treatment and random testing.
• Assault
• Murder
  Over the course of his career, Mr. Hiatt has handled numerous homicide and attempted murder cases. He understands the magnitude of what is at stake, and he will take your case as seriously as you do. Nothing is more important to him than protecting clients’ fundamental liberties.
• Identity Theft
• Homicide
  In many ways, homicide charges represent the pinnacle of the government’s power. They generally carry the most severe penalties available under law. Prosecutors often devote immense effort and resources to obtaining convictions. Because the average individual does not have access to an equivalent amount of resources, the playing field is far from level.
• Forgery
• Money Laundering
• Manslaughter
  Illinois law establishes several types of homicide offenses ranging from manslaughter and reckless homicide to first-degree murder. Likewise, federal law  also punishes certain types of homicides.
• Internet Crimes
  As technological advancements march forward, the laws governing Internet-related crimes have exploded. New forms of crime have cropped up in recent years. State and federal governments aggressively prosecute many types of Internet-related offenses. In fact, the Illinois State Police houses an Internet Crimes Unit devoted exclusively to investigating such offenses.
• Prostitution

Health Law

• Auto Accidents

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
• Foreclosure
  Consumer bankruptcy:Â For those seeking relief from burdensome debt or protection from mortgage foreclosure, Mr. Hiatt offers legal guidance in Chapters 7 and 13 bankruptcy.