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EMAIL US NOWCriminal Defense Lawyer in Belleville, IL
Fierce Defender
Former Prosecutor
You Get Erin
50+ Trials
Belleville Criminal Defense Lawyer
Getting arrested doesn’t just mean facing criminal charges. Those criminal charges threaten your career, family, and freedom. Whether you were arrested on suspicion of DUI, violent crimes, drug charges, or theft, you need a Belleville criminal defense attorney to help you fight back against the prosecution.
The Conner Law Firm provides aggressive and calculated criminal defense representation in Belleville and St. Clair County, Illinois, led by former prosecutor Erin K. Conner who brings 15+ years of trial experience and insider knowledge of how the prosecution builds its case. Our understanding of what happens on the prosecution side of the case against you is an asset we use to build a strong defense to fight these charges and preserve your freedom.
“I’ve sat on both sides of the courtroom. I know how prosecutors build their cases, and I know how to take them apart. When your future is on the line, you deserve someone who will fight like it’s personal — because to me, it is.”
Why Choose a Former Prosecutor for Your Defense?
Choosing an experienced criminal defense attorney is a smart move when facing any kind of criminal charge. Even smarter, choosing a former prosecutor gives you distinct advantages over choosing other defense lawyers:
- Insider Insight and Strategy: Only a former prosecutor knows how other prosecutors think and function. They can anticipate their strategies and pinpoint weak areas in a case.
- Case Evaluation: Defense attorneys who previously served as prosecutors can quickly analyze a case to find any flaws in evidence or procedural errors police have made, which could lead to charges being dropped.
- Trial and Courtroom Experience: Having handled numerous cases on the prosecution side, they are seasoned at trial and comfortable in a courtroom.
- Negotiation Skills: Former prosecutors often have established relationships with law enforcement and other prosecutors, which can often work out with favorable plea negotiations.
- Anticipating Tactics: These defense lawyers know the pressure current prosecutors face and how they decide to bring charges, allowing for strategy preparation of your defense.
Erin K. Conner spent 8 years as an Assistant State’s Attorney in St. Clair County, including supervising the Violent Crimes Unit and serving as Bureau Chief of the Criminal Division of the office. As a former prosecutor with extensive experience, she charged hundreds of cases. This inside knowledge of how prosecutors build their case has shaped the way she provides defense to the accused.
She has insider knowledge of plea negotiation strategies, evidence weaknesses, and courtroom tactics. With over 50 trials to verdict, she knows how to bring aggressive defense to help her clients.
When facing criminal charges, hiring a Belleville criminal defense lawyer is essential. Don’t rely on just any lawyer who takes a criminal case here-or-there, or who lacks the ability to give your case the attention it deserves. Choose the Conner Law Firm to get the strongest defense from an attorney who knows prosecution from the inside.
Criminal Defense Practice Areas
We Handle
DUI Defense
Violent Crimes
Domestic Violence
Sex Offenses
Weapons Charges
Drug Crimes
Theft and Property Crimes
Misdemeanors
Traffic Offenses
Juvenile Defense
If you or a loved one are facing criminal charges in Belleville and St. Clair County, IL, get the aggressive defense you need backed by the knowledge and experience of Erin K. Conner to protect your legal rights.
Facing Criminal Charges in St. Clair County or Southern Illinois?
Don’t wait. The earlier you have an experienced defense attorney reviewing your case, the stronger your position.
How Our Criminal Defense Process Works
Free, Confidential Consultation
Contact The Conner Law Firm for a free consultation that is always completely confidential. We will review your charges, conduct an evidence review, and look for options in your defense.
Investigation
After a thorough evidence review of what the prosecution has, we interview witnesses, review police reports, and gather any additional evidence that could help reduce charges or even fully clear your name.
Pre-Trial
Motions
Certain evidence may have been obtained unlawfully, and we can file motions to have it suppressed, which may even work to dismiss these charges.
Negotiation or
Trial
Whether a plea deal is in your best interest or seeing what the verdict is at trial, The Conner Law Firm always works to pursue your best possible outcome.
When you choose The Conner Law Firm, you’re not leaving anything to chance. Many firms pawn you off on a paralegal or associate. Here, you get Erin herself to defend you, armed with her extensive knowledge from working on the prosecution side to level the playing field.
Criminal Defense Experience in St. Clair
County & Southern Illinois
Experience with murder, armed robbery, DUI, sex offenses, domestic violence, weapons charges, juvenile matters, and misdemeanors.
Former Supervisor of the Violent Crimes Unit and Chief of the Criminal Bureau in the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Erin has handled felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, post-conviction, and criminal appeal matters from both prosecution and defense perspectives.
Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case depends on its own facts and circumstances.
Belleville Criminal Defense Attorney As Seen In The News
Why Belleville Clients Choose The
Conner Law Firm LLC
You Get
Erin
When you retain The Conner Law Firm LLC, you retain Erin. No farming to associates, paralegals, or staff. She handles every step — consultation, hearings, discovery, court dates, negotiations, plea, trial, sentencing.
Former
Prosecutor
Nearly a decade as a prosecutor in St. Clair County. Rose to Supervisor of the Violent Crimes Unit and Chief of the Criminal Bureau. Knows how cases get charged and how the state prepares for trial.
Local
Advantage
Lifelong Belleville resident who knows the judges, prosecutors, and diversionary programs — Drug Court, Veterans Court, Mental Health Court, Second Chance Probation, and more.
Integrity &
Reputation
When Erin files a motion, prosecutors know it’s not boilerplate — she’s analyzed the facts and believes she has a winning argument. Also honest with clients about realistic outcomes.
Elite
Communicator
Competitive speaker since age 10. Four-time national champion in Speech & Debate. Thrives in front of judges and juries — articulate, persuasive, and impossible to ignore.
Talk to a Belleville Criminal Defense Lawyer Now
Prosecutors start building their case the moment you’re arrested. Get Erin on your side now.
Proven Criminal Defense Record — 50+ Trials to Verdict
- 50+ — Cases Tried to Verdict (murder, armed robbery, DUI, sex offenses, domestic violence, weapons)
- 15+ — Years as Prosecutor & Defense Attorney
- Countless — Acquittals, Dismissals & Favorable Dispositions
What Follows the Charge Defines the Outcome.
What Clients Say About The
Conner Law Firm
Your Case Deserves / Undivided Attention
Meet Your Belleville Criminal Defense Attorney
Erin K. Conner is the founder of The Conner Law Firm LLC and a former Chief of the Criminal Bureau at the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office. She personally handles every matter she accepts, bringing more than fifteen years of courtroom experience and insight from both sides of criminal cases.
Counties and Courts We Serve
Recently arrested and accused of a crime? It’s not just the kind of attorney you choose to come to your defense. Where they work truly matters for understanding the jurisdiction.
The Conner Law Firm represents those facing criminal charges throughout Southern Illinois, with a primary focus on St. Clair County. Erin has extreme familiarity with this area as well as Monroe County, Randolph County, Perry County, Washington County, Madison County, and Bond County.
She additionally represents clients throughout Southern Illinois including cases in Clinton, Fayette, Franklin, Jefferson, Jersey, Macoupin, Sangamon, and Williamson. Whether you’re out on pretrial release or you have one phone call to make, the smart move is contacting Erin K. Conner who knows these areas inside and out and brings her extensive knowledge to every case she defends.
Illinois Criminal Defense Blog — Legal
Insights from a Former Prosecutor
What Does a Theft Crimes Attorney Do?
What Should I Do After Being Charged With a Sex Crime?
How Serious Is a Drug Possession Charge in Illinois?
Why Hiring a Belleville Assault Defense Attorney Matters
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Belleville?
Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. Fees for a criminal defense lawyer in Belleville will vary widely based on the practitioner’s experience with the practice area and amount of attention they intend to give your case.
With that, your expectations should vary as well. Erin K. Conner provides a level of representation and attention to the cases she takes that justify the price of premium service. Prices are specific to your case, and the strategies that will be necessary to achieve the best possible outcome.
What should I do if I’m arrested in St. Clair County?
If you are arrested in St. Clair County, or any other Illinois County, you should protect your rights by remaining silent, not consenting to searches, and demanding to speak to your lawyer.
Officers are trained to elicit incriminating statements and get one version of the story that supports the decision to seek charges. What may seem harmless to you in the moment may be the thing that gets you charged. No one talks their way out of charges, but you can certainly talk your way into a much more complicated legal situation.
Can a former prosecutor really help my defense?
Yes, you gain many strategic advantages by hiring a former prosecutor in your criminal defense. In addition to her years of criminal defense, Erin K. Conner brings deep insider knowledge of how the state builds cases, looking for weak spots and procedural errors that otherwise may go unnoticed. She’s also familiar with local judges, prosecutors, and courtroom staff, which tends to allow for more informed plea negotiations and what moves the proverbial needle in a case.
The respect Erin has earned runs deep with those in the local court system, positively influencing how your case is handled.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Illinois?
In Illinois, a misdemeanor is not something you want on your permanent criminal history, though it is a less serious offense than a felony. If convicted, you may face a maximum of 12 months in jail, and maximum fines can range from $1,500 to $2,500 depending on whether it is a Class A, Class B, or Class C misdemeanor.
Felony charges are far more serious and can result in being sent to a state penitentiary for a year or more. Felonies are more likely to carry long-term, life-altering consequences such as the loss of your right to possess a weapon, rights to certain federal benefits, and can harshly impact your career and social standing.
Any type of conviction has the potential to cause you job loss, especially if your career requires a professional license. You may not be able to find a suitable place to rent, be approved for a loan, or have other consequences that go beyond the punishments of these charges.
Contact The Conner Law Firm for Your Defense
Facing criminal charges after an arrest can be an uncertain time where your future and freedom remain in jeopardy. Get the answers you need through strong representation with The Conner Law Firm, providing aggressive criminal defense representation in St. Clair, Monroe, and Madison Counties, and throughout southern Illinois.
Led by former prosecutor Erin K. Conner, your strategic defense is backed by her over 15 years of trial experience and insider knowledge of how prosecutors build their cases. The Conner Law Firm fights for your rights in every courtroom in Southern Illinois. Do not wait to get the legal representation you need to work toward a favorable outcome. Call us today at 618-277-2421 to schedule a consultation.
