The primary focus of McCollum Hodgkinson, PC 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 20+ 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 and other financial fraud cases), drug charges (methamphetamine, cocaine,
and other controlled substance delivery and possessio and cannabis / marijuana cases), Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
(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 of the Lake County Bar Association. He is currently a Board Member
of the Lake County Bar Foundation and was previously the President of the Lake County Bar Association. He is a member of the Illinois
State Bar Association. Steve was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court three times as a member of the 19th Judicial
Circuit (Lake and McHenry Counties) Death Penalty Attorney Qualification Screening Committee. This committee determined which
Lake and McHenry County attorneys met the qualifications necessary to defend death penalty cases.
Steve was also appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve on a committee of lawyers
and Judges from throughout the State of Illinois to write new Rules of the Supreme Court concerning local ordinance violation
prosecutions.
Steve was a founding member
of the Lake County Domestic Violence Council which set up procedures for 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 which
investigated homicide and other serious felony cases throughout Lake County. He has been a speaker at several seminars concerning
Criminal Law, Juvenile Law, Domestic Violence, Order of Protection, and family law issues on behalf of the Lake County Bar
Association.
Since joining the firm, Daniel Hodgkinson has been instrumental
in the defense of the felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, DUI and traffic cases defended by McCollum Hodgkinson, PC.
Dan was selected to join the firm based upon his reputation, skills and years of experience in the Lake County State's Attorney's
office. In that office Dan was extremely well regarded due to his ability to handle all types of cases including Felony,
Misdemeanor, DUI and Juvenile cases. He conducted trials of many felony, misdemeanor and DUI cases including 18 felony
trials in a relatively short period of time. His relationships with the other prosecutors in that office, the judges
he appeared before, and the court staff and police have been an added bonus to the clients being represented by McCollum Hodgkinson, PC since he joined the firm.
Dan Hodgkinson
is the current Co-Chairman of the Lake County Bar Association's Criminal Trials and Appeals Committee. In that capacity coordinates
all meetings of the committee and other functions of the committee. He also works with all of the criminal and traffic
court judges in this capacity and has gained enormous respect for his abilities as a lawyer.
It is important to know that the experience of these two attorneys working together
for each of our clients translates into great results. They has repeatedly convinced prosecutors to reduce or dismiss charges.
They have filed the appropriate motions and convinced Judges to suppress evidence resulting in his client's criminal
charges being dismissed. Their 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 a client, Steve and Dan have 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 McCollum
Hodgkinson, PC 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 and Dan and their staff use a combination
of experience, training, and compassion.
In addition
to criminal and juvenile matters, attorneys affiliated with McCollum Hodgkinson, PC also handle
selected civil litigation cases, including personal injury, divorce, and other legal matters. If you have any type of legal
matter, we 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.
