Over 33 Years of Legal Experience - Defending Central Illinois (309) 999-1177
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About Ms. Maureen Williams

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Ms. Maureen Williams, Criminal Defense Attorney

National College for DUI Defense Member

33 Years. Thousands of Clients. Still Fighting.

When you are facing criminal charges, you need an attorney who does more than show up in court. You need someone who will listen to you, prepare your defense thoroughly, protect your rights at every turn, and genuinely care about the outcome—not just for you, but for your family.

Updated September 2026

With over 33 years of legal experience, Ms. Williams has done exactly that. She has dedicated her practice exclusively to criminal defense. Not personal injury. Not family law. Not real estate. Just criminal defense—because this work matters, and because her clients deserve an attorney whose full attention and expertise are focused on fighting for them.

Ms. Williams grew up in Central Illinois and practices in these courts. With more than three decades of legal experience, she has defended thousands of clients facing every kind of criminal charge—from first-time DUI arrests to serious felony cases. She has also helped clients seek sentence review through motions to reconsider sentence and motions for new trial when justice required a second look.

Ms. Maureen Williams: Criminal Defense Attorney in Central Illinois

Ms. Maureen Williams is a criminal defense attorney based in Central Illinois, where she grew up and practices in the local courts. Her practice is dedicated exclusively to criminal defense—from DUI defense and criminal charges to post-conviction appeals—serving clients across 13 counties.

Ms. Williams as Your Peoria DUI Lawyer and Criminal Defense Attorney

Ms. Williams's office is at 416 Main Street in downtown Peoria, on the same street as the Peoria County Courthouse at 324 Main Street, where DUI and criminal cases from across Peoria County are heard in the 10th Judicial Circuit. For anyone looking for a Peoria DUI attorney, that matters for practical reasons. The attorney handling your case works in that courthouse, knows how its DUI calls run, and can meet with you a few blocks from where your case will be heard.

A DUI arrest in Illinois creates two separate cases. One is the criminal charge under 625 ILCS 5/11-501. The other is the statutory summary suspension of your driver's license under 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1, which takes effect on the 46th day after notice unless it is successfully challenged. You have 90 days to petition for a hearing on that suspension. As a Peoria DUI lawyer, Ms. Williams handles both: the license hearing and the criminal case. She draws on her National College for DUI Defense training to examine the traffic stop, the field sobriety tests, and the breath or blood test results.

She is also a Peoria criminal defense lawyer in the full sense. Her practice is exclusively criminal defense, so the same attorney who defends DUI charges also handles drug crimes, domestic battery, weapons charges, theft, and serious felonies. See the Peoria County criminal defense page for how those cases move through the local courts.

If you are comparing a DUI lawyer, Peoria courtroom experience should be near the top of your list, along with who will actually handle your case. At Heart of Illinois Criminal Defense, that is Ms. Williams herself, from the first call to the final court date. She will not promise you an outcome. No honest attorney can. She will tell you plainly what the evidence shows and what your options are. Call (309) 999-1177 for a confidential consultation.

What Sets Ms. Williams Apart

Four principles guide every case Ms. Williams handles.

Listening

Ms. Williams believes that good defense starts with listening. Before developing strategy, she takes the time to hear your full story—the circumstances, the details, the things that worry you. She asks questions. She pays attention to what other attorneys might overlook. Every consultation begins with listening because no two cases are the same, and she needs to understand yours completely before she can fight for you effectively.

Preparing

Preparation is where Ms. Williams separates herself from other attorneys. She studies the facts of every case from multiple angles. She reviews the evidence, researches the applicable law, and identifies opportunities that others might miss. When one approach does not produce results, she develops another. She is relentless in her preparation because she believes that thoroughness wins cases—and her track record over 33 years proves it.

Protecting

Ms. Williams fights to protect everything that is at stake: your freedom, your driving privileges, your record, your livelihood, and your future. She is aggressive in the courtroom and tireless behind the scenes. She challenges the evidence, questions the procedures, and holds the prosecution to its burden. She does not give up on difficult cases, and she does not stop working until she has exhausted every avenue available.

Caring

Criminal charges do not just affect the person charged—they affect the entire family. Ms. Williams understands that. She returns every phone call. She explains things in plain English, not legal jargon. She keeps clients informed at every stage of their case. And with permission, she keeps family members updated too, because she knows they are worried and they deserve to know what is happening. You will never be just another file on her desk.

Professional Credentials and Continuing Education

Ms. Williams is committed to being the most prepared attorney in the courtroom. She actively pursues advanced legal training and certifications throughout the year—a level of commitment to continuing education that is uncommon among criminal defense attorneys. Her professional memberships and credentials include:

  • National College for DUI Defense (NCDD): Membership in the NCDD reflects advanced training and demonstrated commitment to DUI defense at the highest level. Ms. Williams regularly attends NCDD seminars and workshops to stay current on evolving DUI laws, forensic science, and defense strategies.
  • American Association for Justice: As a member, Ms. Williams has access to cutting-edge legal resources, trial advocacy training, and a national network of experienced trial lawyers.
  • Illinois State Bar Association: Active member in good standing.
  • Advanced Certifications: Ms. Williams regularly attends conferences, seminars, and advanced training programs throughout the year. Criminal defense law is constantly evolving—new case decisions, new forensic techniques, new procedural requirements—and she makes it a priority to stay ahead of every change that could affect her clients.

This commitment to ongoing education is not typical. Many attorneys complete the minimum required continuing education and move on. Ms. Williams goes well beyond the minimum because she believes her clients deserve an attorney who brings the most current knowledge and strategies to their defense.

What You Can Expect

"You will not fall through the cracks here. I have handled thousands of cases over 33 years, but yours is not just another file to me. I will listen to you, prepare your defense thoroughly, protect your rights, and keep you informed every step of the way."

Ms. Williams does not make promises about outcomes—no honest attorney can. But she can promise this: she will work your case thoroughly. She will try every legitimate approach. She will keep you and your family updated. And she will treat you with the respect you deserve, regardless of what you have been charged with.

Her Commitment to Every Client

  • No Surprises: You will know what is happening at every stage. Ms. Williams explains things clearly so you can make informed decisions about your own case.
  • Persistence: She digs into the facts. She researches the law. When the first approach does not work, she finds another way. She does not give up easily.
  • Respect: You are going through something difficult. Ms. Williams does not judge. She is here to defend you, not lecture you.
  • Accessibility: You can call or email anytime. The phone may not always be answered, but Ms. Williams does reply on nights and weekends when appropriate.
  • Honesty: She will tell you what she thinks, even if it is not what you want to hear. You deserve straight talk, not false hope.

Questions About Hiring Ms. Williams

What does National College for DUI Defense membership mean for my Peoria DUI case?

The National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) is a national organization of attorneys who focus on defending DUI cases. Ms. Williams is a member and regularly attends NCDD seminars and workshops on DUI law, forensic science, and defense strategy. For a Peoria DUI case, that training goes into examining how the breath or blood test was given, whether field sobriety tests were administered by the book, and whether the stop itself was lawful.

I was arrested in Peoria but live outside Peoria County. Can Ms. Williams still represent me?

Yes. A DUI or criminal case is generally heard in the county where the arrest happened, so a Peoria arrest is handled at the Peoria County Courthouse no matter where you live. Ms. Williams can represent you on a Peoria County case wherever you live, and she will tell you which court dates require you to be there in person.

Can Ms. Williams handle other charges that came from the same arrest as my DUI?

Yes. A single traffic stop often leads to more than one charge: a DUI plus traffic tickets, a drug possession charge, or a weapons charge. Because Ms. Williams practices only criminal defense, she can defend the related charges together so that the strategy on one does not undercut the others. Call (309) 999-1177 to talk through everything you were charged with.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation

Call today to discuss your case with Ms. Williams.

(309) 999-1177

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