Experienced Lake County Illinois Criminal and Juvenile Defense Attorney

IF YOU'VE BEEN ACCUSED OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT - YOU NEED AN ATTORNEY WHO HAS EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES   STEVE McCOLLUM HAS THE EXPERIENCE YOU NEED:

Former Chief of the Juvenile Trial Division of the Lake County State's Attorney's Office Former Chief Deputy State's Attorney for Lake County, Illinois Former Chairperson of the Criminal and Juvenile Law Committee for the Lake County Bar Association Extensive Experience Representing Parents Accused of Abuse or Neglect Extensive Experience in Appeals of Indicated Findings of Abuse or Neglect by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Extensive Experience in Presenting Expert Witnesses in Hearings Sixteen Years of Experience as a Prosecutor Fifteen Years of Experience as a Defense Attorney Over Twelve Years of Experience as a Defense Attorney Currently Second Vice President of the Lake County Bar Association (to be President in 2013) Executive Board Member of the Lake Bar Association Appointed Member of the Lake County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Appointed Member of the Lake County Sexual Assault Coordinating Council Extensive Experience in Defending Adult and Juvenile Sexual Assault Allegations

If you have been accused of child neglect or abuse and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, (commonly known as D.C.F.S.) has either started an investigation or has made a finding of abuse or neglect concerning your children, it is imperative that you have an attorney who has experience in all relevant areas, including DCFS investigations and appeals, Juvenile Court proceedings and adult criminal defense. Very few attorneys have that experience and expertise. Steve McCollum has successfully defended clients who are being investigated by DCFS and has successfully appealed indicated findings of abuse.  He has also been the Chief of the Juvenile Division of the Lake County State's Attorney's Office and defended people in Juvenile Court accused of neglect or abuse of their child.  He also has an extensive background defending adults charged with offenses against children, including sexual assault allegations.    Steven P. McCollum practices law in Waukegan, Illinois, and handles all aspects of cases involving investigations and appeals of findings by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. He was previously the Chief Deputy State's Attorney for Lake County. In that capacity, he worked with DCFS on many cases involving allegations of neglect or abuse of children. Since becoming a defense attorney, he has developed an extensive practice defending people who are under investigation by the police or DCFS concerning their children.    Since entering private practice in 1995, Steve McCollum has represented mothers and fathers who have been accused of abusing or neglecting their children. This has included representing parents who have been investigated but where Steve has successfully aided them in obtaining a finding by the DCFS investigator that there was no abuse or neglect (an unfounded report). It has also included cases where an indicated finding of abuse by DCFS was successfully appealed in a hearing before the Administrative Law Judge assigned by DCFS. An appeal of a DCFS finding of neglect or abuse can be extremely important to people who work with children, such as teachers, daycare workers, and professionals of all kinds. If an indicated finding of abuse is not overturned on appeal, it can result in a teacher or other professional not being able to work in their profession. Teachers and other professionals will often have additional rights concerning the investigative process that your attorney should be aware of to enable him to fully defend you. Steve McCollum has represented many different types of professionals who have been faced with a DCFS investigation, including doctors, lawyers, teachers, daycare workers, and others. He has successfully appealed DCFS findings of abuse. If you want to know about general procedures and what to expect concerning a DCFS investigation or appeal, please visit DCFS's website: DCFS If you have any matter involving an investigation of abuse or neglect by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, please call immediately to ensure that your rights are protected. There is no fee for the initial consultation. Please call (847) 662-2474.

For more information about the background and experience of Steve McCollum, please continue here: General Information Steven P. McCollum Law Offices of Steven P. McCollum 415 Washington Street, Suite 103 Waukegan, Illinois 60085 Ph - (847) 662-2474 Email: StevenPMcCollum@aol.com