Facing Criminal Charges in Central Illinois?
33 Years. Thousands of Clients. Still Fighting.
(309) 999-1177NCDD Member • Exclusively Criminal Defense • 14 Counties Served
Heart of Illinois Criminal Defense is a criminal defense attorney practice in Peoria, IL that takes criminal and DUI cases only — no personal injury, no family law, no civil work. Ms. Williams defends drug, weapons, domestic, theft, violent crime, white collar, and DUI charges.
Peoria County cases are heard at the Peoria County Courthouse, 324 Main Street, Peoria, in the 10th Judicial Circuit. The practice covers 14 Central Illinois counties, including Peoria, Tazewell, McLean, LaSalle, and Macon.
How Can Ms. Williams Help You?
DUI Defense
Arrested for DUI? Your license suspension takes effect automatically on the 46th day after notice, and you have 90 days from the notice to petition the circuit court to rescind it — miss that window and you lose the right to challenge it. Whether it is a first DUI in Illinois or a repeat charge, Ms. Williams will protect your license, challenge the evidence, and fight for the best possible outcome.
Learn MoreCriminal Defense
Drug charges, assault and battery, theft, domestic violence, weapons offenses—thorough and aggressive defense for all criminal charges in Central Illinois courts.
Learn MoreSentence Review
Motions to reconsider sentence, motions for new trial, and other post-trial relief. If your case deserves another look, Ms. Williams will fight for it.
Learn MoreCriminal Charges Defended in Peoria and Central Illinois
Every charge below is defended in the county where it was filed — Peoria, Tazewell, McLean, LaSalle, Macon, and the surrounding circuits.
Drug Charges
Possession, possession with intent, delivery, and cannabis charges under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act and the Cannabis Control Act.
Weapons and Firearms
Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, FOID and concealed carry issues, and unlawful possession charges.
Domestic Violence
Domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, and violations of an order of protection — charges that cannot be sealed or expunged in Illinois.
Violent Crimes
Battery, aggravated battery, robbery, and other charges involving alleged force or injury.
Theft and Burglary
Retail theft, theft by deception, burglary, and residential burglary across the misdemeanor and felony ranges.
White Collar Offenses
Fraud, forgery, identity theft, and financial crimes that turn on documents and intent rather than physical evidence.
Orders of Protection
Defense at emergency and plenary order of protection hearings, and defense of alleged violations.
Probation Violations
Petitions to revoke probation, conditional discharge, and court supervision, where the burden of proof is lower than at trial.
Meet Ms. Maureen Williams
When you are facing criminal charges, you need an attorney who will listen carefully to your situation, prepare your defense thoroughly, protect your rights at every stage, and genuinely care about what happens to you and your family.
Updated August 2026
With over 33 years of legal experience, Ms. Williams has dedicated her practice exclusively to criminal defense. She does not handle personal injury, family law, or anything else. Criminal defense is all she does—and she does it with the kind of preparation and persistence that gets results.
"You will not fall through the cracks here. I return every call. I keep you updated on every development. And with your permission, I keep your family informed too—because they need to know what is happening."
Ms. Williams grew up in Central Illinois and practices in these courts. She is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, the American Association for Justice, and regularly pursues advanced legal training and certifications. She brings that preparation and dedication to every case she handles.
Learn More About Ms. WilliamsWhat Sets Ms. Williams Apart
Most attorneys handle criminal cases. Ms. Williams approaches each one differently.
Before anything else, Ms. Williams listens. She wants to hear your side of the story—every detail, every concern, every question. She does not rush through consultations. She takes the time to understand exactly what happened, what you are facing, and what matters most to you. Many clients say this is the first time they felt truly heard by their attorney.
Ms. Williams is known for thorough, meticulous preparation. She studies the facts of your case from every angle. She researches the law, reviews the evidence, and identifies weaknesses in the prosecution's case that others might miss. When one approach does not work, she tries another. She is a member of the National College for DUI Defense and regularly attends advanced legal training—because preparation starts long before your case does.
Your rights, your freedom, your future—Ms. Williams protects all of it. She fights aggressively in the courtroom and works tirelessly behind the scenes. She does not back down from difficult cases, and she does not stop fighting until she has exhausted every option available. With over 33 years of legal experience, she knows exactly how to build the strongest possible defense for your situation.
Criminal charges affect your entire family, not just you. Ms. Williams understands that. She returns every phone call. She keeps you informed at every stage. With your permission, she keeps your loved ones updated too—because she knows they are worried. She treats every client with dignity and respect, regardless of the charges. You are never just another case file.
◆ 33 Years, Thousands of Clients
Ms. Williams brings over three decades of legal experience to her criminal defense practice. She has helped thousands of clients navigate the criminal justice system in Central Illinois—from first-time DUI arrests to serious felony charges and sentence review motions.
◆ Call Anytime
Criminal cases do not follow business hours. When something urgent comes up at night or on a weekend, you can reach Ms. Williams. She understands the urgency that comes with criminal charges and responds accordingly.
Serving Peoria and 14 Central Illinois Counties
Ms. Williams represents clients as a Peoria DUI lawyer and Peoria County criminal defense attorney, and across all 14 Central Illinois counties below.
The five primary counties are Peoria (10th Judicial Circuit), Tazewell (10th), McLean (11th), LaSalle (13th), and Macon (6th). Cases are also handled in Woodford, Marshall, Stark, Putnam, Logan, DeWitt, Livingston, Fulton, and Knox counties.
Peoria
10th Judicial Circuit
Peoria County
Bloomington
11th Judicial Circuit
McLean County
Pekin
10th Judicial Circuit
Tazewell County
Ottawa
13th Judicial Circuit
LaSalle County
Decatur
6th Judicial Circuit
Macon County
+ 9 More
Common Questions
Straight answers to what clients ask first.
How long do I have after a DUI arrest to protect my license?
90 days. Your license suspension takes effect automatically on the 46th day after notice. You have 90 days from the notice to petition the circuit court to rescind it — miss that window and you lose the right to challenge it. Contact Ms. Williams immediately after a DUI arrest.
What should I do immediately after being arrested?
Say nothing beyond what is legally required and ask for an attorney. The statements made in the first hours after arrest are often the most damaging. Contact Ms. Williams at (309) 999-1177 as soon as you are able.
What does a criminal defense attorney in Peoria, IL do?
A criminal defense attorney in Peoria reviews how the case was investigated, challenges evidence obtained improperly, negotiates with the State's Attorney, and appears at every court date in the 10th Judicial Circuit. This practice is criminal defense and DUI only — drug, weapons, domestic, theft, violent crime, and white collar charges.
Where are criminal cases heard in Peoria County?
Peoria County criminal cases are heard at the Peoria County Courthouse, 324 Main Street, Peoria, IL 61602, in the 10th Judicial Circuit. That circuit also covers Tazewell, Marshall, Putnam, and Stark counties, so a Pekin or East Peoria case is heard at the Tazewell County Courthouse under the same circuit.
Is a domestic battery conviction permanent in Illinois?
Yes. Domestic battery convictions cannot be expunged or sealed in Illinois, ever. They remain on your record permanently and carry a federal firearm prohibition. Fighting the charge is almost always worth it. Ms. Williams defends domestic battery cases throughout Central Illinois.
What areas does Ms. Williams serve?
Ms. Williams serves clients across 14 counties in Central Illinois — Peoria County, McLean County, Tazewell County, LaSalle County, Macon County, and more. She practices regularly in these courts and knows local prosecutors, judges, and procedures.
What makes Ms. Williams different from other criminal defense attorneys?
Ms. Williams practices exclusively criminal defense — no personal injury, no family law. She has dedicated her practice to criminal defense in Central Illinois courts, handles every case personally, and returns every call. Member: National College for DUI Defense.
Does Ms. Williams offer a free consultation?
Ms. Williams offers a confidential consultation — not a free one. She charges for her time because serious problems deserve serious attention. Everything discussed is protected by attorney-client privilege. Call (309) 999-1177 to schedule.
See all frequently asked questions →
This page is general legal information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. To discuss your situation, contact Heart of Illinois Criminal Defense.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation
The sooner you call, the more options you have. Ms. Williams is ready to hear your case.
(309) 999-1177