Steven P. McCollum
has previous experience as:
Steven P. McCollum is currently:
- 2nd Vice President of the Lake County Bar Association
- Member - Lake County Bar Association Long Range Planning Committee
- Member - Lake County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee
- Member - Illinois State Bar Association
The primary focus of Steve McCollum's law practice is on the criminal defense of Felony,
Misdemeanor, Juvenile, DUI, and related matters. If you or someone you care about has a Criminal, Juvenile, DUI, or other
case, it can be difficult to choose between the many attorneys that claim to have the competence and expertise necessary to
successfully defend the case. It is vital that you look at the background and experience of the lawyer you are considering
hiring. There is no worse feeling than the realization in the middle of your case that your lawyer didn't have the experience
necessary to competently defend you.
Steve McCollum
has been an attorney since 1978 and has practiced law as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney in Waukegan, Illinois, the
county seat of Lake County, Illinois. Steve was the Chief Deputy State's Attorney for the Lake County State's Attorney's Office
in Waukegan, Illinois. In that capacity he was in charge of all criminal prosecutors and prosecutions in Lake County, while
also handling many of the most serious cases. He tried many cases, including trials of persons charged with First Degree Murder
(including Death Penalty cases), Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault, Reckless Homicide, Drug Delivery and Possession Cases,
and Financial Crime cases.
Other positions held
by Steve McCollum in the Lake County State's Attorney's Office included being the Chief of the Felony Review Division, Chief
of the Misdemeanor and Traffic Division, and Chief of the Juvenile Trial Division. In those positions Steve handled Grand
Jury matters, Reckless Homicide and serious accident cases, DUI and related charges, and all types of juvenile delinquency,
neglect and abuse cases.
After being a prosecutor
in the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office for 16 years, including 12 years as a supervisor, Steve became a
criminal defense lawyer. As a criminal defense lawyer for the past 11 years, he has handled all types of serious criminal
felony cases, misdemeanor cases, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI) and Reckless Homicide cases, and Traffic matters.
He has also handled the appeals of indicated findings of abuse or neglect made by the Illinois Department of Children and
Family Services (DCFS).
As a criminal defense lawyer
Steve has successfully defended people charged with First Degree Murder, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault and Abuse, Reckless
Homicide, Child Pornography, large-scale white collar financial crimes (embezzlement), drug charges (controlled substance
and cannabis / marijuana), DUI and Aggravated DUI, Domestic Battery, Violation of Order of Protection, Burglary, Criminal
Damage to Property, Robbery and many other types of cases.
Steve is the past Chairman of the Criminal Trials and Appeals Committee and is currently the 2nd Vice President
and a member of the Board of Directors of the Lake County Bar Association. He is a member of the Illinois State
Bar Association. Steve has twice been appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court and is currently a member of the
19th Judicial Circuit (Lake and McHenry Counties) Death Penalty Attorney Qualification Screening Committee. This committee
determines whether Lake and McHenry County attorneys meet the qualifications necessary to defend death penalty cases.
Steve was a founding member of the Lake County Domestic Violence
Council which set up procedures for the Lake County police departments, prosecutors and the courts for domestic battery and
order of protection cases. He was a member of the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force. He has been a speaker at several seminars
concerning Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for the Lake County Bar Association.
It is important to know that Steve McCollum's experience translates into results for his clients.
He has repeatedly convinced Judges to suppress evidence resulting in his client's criminal charges being dismissed. His past
experience working with prosecutors and police has enabled him to convince prosecutors to dismiss cases against his clients.
His experience in using and cross-examining expert and other professional witnesses, such as police officers, doctors, and
laboratory personnel, has resulted in repeated findings of "not guilty" in trials in the Lake County court system.
Even in cases where there has been substantial evidence against his clients, Steve has convinced prosecutors to reduce charges
so that the result was a disposition of the case that didn't affect his clients' lives on a long-term basis.
All clients of the Law Offices of Steven P. McCollum, P.C. are
treated in a courteous, professional manner. We truly care about what happens to our clients and do our best to help them
solve their problems. To do that, Steve McCollum and his staff use a combination of experience, training, and compassion.
In addition to criminal and juvenile matters, attorneys
affiliated with the Law Offices of Steven P. McCollum, P.C. also handle civil litigation, including personal injury, divorce,
and other legal matters. If you have any type of legal matter, I urge you to call for an appointment. There is no charge for
the initial consultation. If we are unable to handle your case, we will refer you to an attorney who has the experience and
expertise necessary for your needs.
