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Proven Results Against A Wide Range Of Sex Crime Charges

Accusations of sexual misconduct are never to be taken lightly — not only for the significant penalties that result from a conviction, but also for the long-term stigma that arises when an individual is associated with a sex-related crime.

The attorneys at Sheppard Law Firm, P.C., possess the credentials, experience and tenacity to challenge the most serious claims that the government brings against individuals in Chicago. Managing partner Barry D. Sheppard has acquired four decades of accomplished criminal defense experience in Illinois, developing true defense instincts to position the firm’s clients for the best possible outcome to their cases, regardless of the nature of the charges against them.

Sheppard Law Firm, P.C., is at the forefront of how social media and other technologies are changing criminal prosecutions and, as a result, the practice of criminal defense. The firm’s attorneys have extensive experience working with evidence such as cell site location data, text message searches, instant messages and social media communications in addition to more traditional forms of evidence, such as DNA.

Skilled Sexual Assault Defense Attorneys

The firm handles criminal defense of the following charges for individuals in Chicago and surrounding cities:

With Sheppard Law Firm, P.C., clients can expect a comprehensive defense strategy focused on a positive outcome but unwilling to sacrifice simply for the most expedient result. The firm’s attorneys handle cases at both the trial and appellate levels, meaning that clients can have a stalwart legal ally at every stage of their case.

Contact Sheppard Law Firm, P.C.

The lawyer you select to handle your criminal defense should understand the investment of time and financial resources that you are making. Contact Sheppard Law Firm, P.C., to discuss your defense needs with experienced and dedicated Chicago sex offense attorneys. Call 312-443-1233 for an initial consultation.

Recent Sex Offense & Title IX Case Results

DECEMBER 13, 2019: SHEPPARD LAW FIRM, P.C. WINS APPEAL IN THE FIRST DISTRICT ILLINOIS APPELLATE COURT AND OBTAINS DEFENDANT’S RELEASE ON BAIL WHERE THE DEFENDANT, A TEACHER, WAS CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT, CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, AND OTHER RELATED OFFENSES. FOLLOWING THE SUCESSFUL APPEAL, THE DEFENDANT WAS RELEASED ON BAIL ON DECEMBER 17, 2019.

The defendant, a teacher in Chicago Public Schools, had been charged with several serious offenses, including allegations of criminal sexual assault and child pornography involving a student. Four judges had denied bond to the defendant in four separate bond hearings. Sheppard Law Firm, P.C. appealed the no-bond orders to the Appellate Court arguing that the defendant was statutorily entitled to a bond as the State had not filed the requisite petition to hold him without bond and the hearings had not been conducted in compliance with the bail statute. The Appellate Court agreed. The Appellate Court issued a precedential opinion holding that defendant’s interpretation of the bond statute was correct — section 110-6.1 of the bond statute must be complied with before bond can be denied to a defendant who is charged with a non-probationable offense. The Appellate Court directed the Circuit Court to set a bond and the Circuit Court did set a bond and the defenant has been released. As the Appellate Court stated in another opinion, appeals of bail decisions are “exceedingly rare;” an appellate victory on a bail issue is even rarer. Attached, is an article from the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin summarizing the appellate decision. Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Article on Appellate Victory

SEPTEMBER 11, 2019: NOT GUILTY OF CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT

In a criminal sexual assault case which received media attention, Sheppards’ client was found not guilty of all charges. The case involved a so-called “threesome” wherein Sheppards’ client, a female, was charged, along with her then-boyfriend, with criminal sexual assault, a non-probationable offense. The allegation was that Sheppards’ client and her boyfriend had sex with the alleged victim while she was too drunk to consent and that they also used force or the threat of force to accomplish the sex acts. Following trial, the defendant was found not guilty of all charges. A memorable moment in the trial came when Adam Sheppard had occassion to quote a Katy Perry song on cross-examination which summed up the defense in the case.

May, 2019: Norhtwestern University: Sheppard Law Firm’s Client Acquitted of All Charges in Title IX Proceeding:

In a Title IX proceeding at Northwestern University where the accused student was charged with engaging in sex with a fellow student while she was allegedly too drunk to consent and sexually harassing her on a separate occassion, the accused student — Sheppard Law Firm’s client — was cleared of all charges following extenisve interviews and submissions of statements. In addition to Northwestern University, Sheppard Law Firm has obtained acquittals in Title IX proceedings at University of Chicago, Loyola University, as well as at other universities.

February 19, 2019: University of Chicago finds Sheppard’s client not guilty of all charges in a Title IX proceeding. The complainant had accused the respondent, Sheppard’s client, of non-consensual sex under a theory that she was too high on cannabis to consent. Following a lengthy hearing before a full panel, Sheppard’s client was found not guilty of all charges.

February 14, 2018: University of Loyola clears Sheppard’s client of all charges in pre-hearing investigative stage. Following written submissions and an investigative meeting with Sheppard and his client, the University determined that there was insufficient evidence to proceed on complainant’s allegation the respondent had engaged in non-consensual sex with her. Sheppard’s client was also cleared of “dating violence.”

October, 2018: All charges Dismissed against Chicago Police Officer charged with Criminal Sexual Assault of a Family Member (Cook Couty, 26th & California). Following sucessful motions by Sheppard Law Firm to introduce evidence that the complainant had previously maded false accusations against others along with aspects of her psychiatric records, the prosecution dismissed all charges against Sheppard’s client, a decorated Chicago Police Officer.

12/15/17 (Circuit Court of Cook County, 26th & California): Three Class X charges of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault Dismissed; charges of Aggravated Criminal Abuse Dismissed; charges of Unlawful Restraint Dismissed and Defendant receives straight probation (non-sex offender probation) and avoids any sex offender registration requirement in a negotiated plea to a battery offense.The allegation in the case was that the defendant cut the clothes off of his ex-girlfriend, held a knife to her, committed aggravated criminal sexual assault, and then slept in front of the door keeping her from leaving. The police had to make a forcible entry into the room in question. Following the defense investigation, which included independent interviews of witnesses, and extensive plea negotiations, all charges were dismissed and the defendant received straight probation on a battery offense.

STUDENT FOUND NOT GUILTY OF ALL CHARGES IN TITLE IX PROCEEDING AT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (September ’17): The University charged a graduate with sexual assault of another student based on an allegation that the other student was too impaired to give knowing consent and based on an allegation that the respondent used force. Sheppard’s client was found NOT GUILTY of all charges. Earlier this year, Mr. Sheppard also obtained on acquittal of sex assault charges for another University of Chicago student. (There are reviews online regarding that case).

On October 17, 2017, Mr. Sheppard also lectured at the Chicago Bar Association on “Non-Force Sex Offenses from the Schoolhouse to the Courthouse). The lecture presented strategies for defending against allegations that a complainant was too drunk to consent. Link to agenda for October lecture:Agenda for Non-Force Sex Offense Lecture . Mr. Sheppard has also repeatedly lectured on Students’ Rights in Disciplinary Proceedings. Adam Sheppard’s Lecture on Students’ Rights in Disciplinary Proceedings. Mr. Sheppard has long been an advocate for students’ rights. See 2011 Article in Chicago Daily Law Bulletin: Students Due Process Rights

PEOPLE V. X (2016) (Skokie): Class X sex offense charges involving solicitation of a child prostitute through Craigslist amended on the eve of trial: defendant received probation and avoided the lifetime sex offender registration requirement.

PEOPLE V. X (2016) (Rolling Meadows): Class X aggravated criminal sexual assault charges dismissed, defendant receives probation on an amended aggravated assault charge whereby he avoids the lifetime sex offender registration requirement.

This case involved an allegation by a 15-year-old that a 22-year-old defendant had met her on Facebook, furnished her with alcohol, and forced her to have sex. The matter was set for trial. Sheppard Law Firm’s investigator located a witness who was prepared to contradict the complainant’s allegation. On the day of trial, the State agreed to dismiss the non-probationable charges and amend the remaining charge to a lower class felony whereby the defendant received probation (with no jail time). The amendment of the charges also allowed the defendant to avoid the lifetime sex offender registration requirement.

PEOPLE V. D…….. (2015) (Skokie): Teacher’s aide charged with criminal sexual assault of special needs student was facing non-probationable charges. After Sheppard Law Firm, P.C. conducted a competency hearing of the complainant and submitted an extensive mitigation packet to the state’s attorney’s office, the charges were amended and the defendant received probation.

JANE DOE V. P……(2015) (Daley Center): Civil date rape lawsuit arising out of University of Illinois fraternity party dismissed after Sheppard deposes the complainant.

PEOPLE V. Client X (2015) (Lake County): Dissemination of child pornography charges dismissed and defendant receives probation on remaining charges

PEOPLE V. G……(2012) (Rolling Meadows): Jury acquits defendant of all charges — multiple counts of predatory criminal sexual assault — after Sheppard calls an expert to explain that defendant was susceptible to suggestion at the time of his confession and, therefore, his written confession was not reliable.

PEOPE V. M……(2009): criminal sexual assault (by force) charges reduced to misdemeanor offense for which defendant received probation after Sheppard Law Firm filed motion to dismiss based on misleading grand jury testimony

PEOPLE V. F…….(2009): Adam Sheppard submits one of the first appellate briefs in Illinois challenging the foundational requirements for the admission of instant messages in an indecent solicitation of a minor case. Defendant granted on appellate bond based on the brief.

Read more about our firm’s recent cases.

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