Terms of Use

Last Updated: October 27, 2025

IMPORTANT: Please read these Terms of Use carefully. By accessing or using this website, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree to these terms, you must immediately stop using this website.

Agreement to Terms

By accessing and using this website (heartofillinoiscriminaldefense.com), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use, all applicable laws and regulations, and all conditions and policies referenced herein. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you are prohibited from using or accessing this website.

These terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Heart of Illinois Criminal Defense / Attorney Maureen Williams.

Attorney Advertising Disclosure

This website constitutes attorney advertising as defined by the rules of professional conduct. The information on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Prior results described on this website do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case.

No Attorney-Client Relationship

CRITICAL: Visiting this website, viewing content on this website, contacting us through this website, sending emails, filling out forms, or making phone calls does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Heart of Illinois Criminal Defense or Attorney Maureen Williams.

An attorney-client relationship is established only when:

  • We have conducted a conflicts check and agreed in writing to represent you
  • You have signed a written fee agreement and representation agreement
  • We have sent you a written engagement letter confirming representation

Until a formal attorney-client relationship is established in writing, no attorney-client privilege exists, no duties are owed to you, and communications may not be confidential.

Do not send confidential, sensitive, or time-sensitive information through this website, email, or contact forms until an attorney-client relationship has been formally established.

Information for General Purposes Only

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Every legal case is different and depends on unique facts, circumstances, applicable law, jurisdiction, and other variables.

Information on this website:

  • May not apply to your specific situation
  • May not reflect the most current legal developments, court decisions, or statutory changes
  • Should not be relied upon without consulting a qualified attorney
  • Does not create any obligations, duties, warranties, or representations
  • May be subject to exceptions, qualifications, and limitations not described

Do not rely on information on this website as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed attorney qualified to advise you about your specific situation.

No Guarantee or Warranty of Results

Nothing on this website should be interpreted as a promise, guarantee, or warranty of results. Past results, case outcomes, settlements, verdicts, and testimonials described on this website do not guarantee, predict, or suggest similar outcomes in future cases.

Every case is unique and depends on specific facts, circumstances, applicable law, available evidence, witnesses, judge, prosecutor, jurisdiction, and countless other variables. We make no representations or warranties about the results we can achieve in your case.

Case results described on this website:

  • Reflect outcomes in specific cases with unique facts
  • May not be representative of results in other cases
  • Should not create expectations about your case
  • May have been achieved through settlements, plea agreements, or other means not applicable to your situation

Intellectual Property Rights

All content on this website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, photographs, videos, audio clips, and software, is the property of Heart of Illinois Criminal Defense or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Limited License: You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to view and download content from this website for personal, non-commercial use only.

You may not:

  • Reproduce, distribute, modify, display, perform, publish, license, or sell any content without written permission
  • Use content for any commercial purpose
  • Remove or alter copyright, trademark, or proprietary notices
  • Create derivative works from website content
  • Use automated systems (bots, scrapers, spiders) to access or collect information from the website
  • Frame or embed website content on another website
  • Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any website software

Prohibited Uses

You agree not to use this website:

  • In any way that violates federal, state, or local laws or regulations
  • To transmit or introduce viruses, malware, worms, Trojan horses, or other harmful code
  • To harass, threaten, defame, abuse, or harm others
  • To impersonate any person, entity, or organization
  • To collect or store personal information about other users
  • To interfere with or disrupt the website or servers
  • To attempt unauthorized access to any part of the website, other accounts, or systems
  • For any fraudulent, deceptive, or illegal purpose
  • To upload or transmit obscene, offensive, or inappropriate content
  • To violate any third party’s rights

Third-Party Links and Content

This website may contain links to third-party websites or resources for your convenience and information. We do not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for these external sites.

Third-party websites are governed by their own terms and policies. We are not responsible for:

  • Content, accuracy, or availability of external websites
  • Privacy practices of third-party sites
  • Products, services, or information offered by third parties
  • Any damages or losses resulting from use of third-party websites

Accessing third-party links is at your own risk. We encourage you to review the terms and privacy policies of any external websites you visit.

Disclaimer of Warranties

This website and all content, materials, and information are provided “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, including but not limited to:

  • Warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement
  • Warranties that the website will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free
  • Warranties that information on the website is accurate, complete, current, or reliable
  • Warranties that defects will be corrected
  • Warranties regarding results obtained from use of the website

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Heart of Illinois Criminal Defense and Attorney Maureen Williams shall not be liable for any damages whatsoever arising from or related to your use of this website.

This limitation of liability applies to all damages, including but not limited to:

  • Direct, indirect, incidental, and consequential damages
  • Punitive, special, and exemplary damages
  • Loss of profits, revenue, data, or use
  • Business interruption damages
  • Damages resulting from reliance on website information
  • Damages from website downtime, errors, or technical problems
  • Damages from unauthorized access or data breaches
  • Damages from third-party conduct or content

This limitation applies even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some jurisdictions do not allow limitation of liability for certain damages, so some limitations may not apply to you.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Heart of Illinois Criminal Defense, Attorney Maureen Williams, and our affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, and representatives from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or related to:

  • Your use of this website
  • Your violation of these Terms of Use
  • Your violation of any law or regulation
  • Your violation of any third party’s rights
  • Any content or information you submit or transmit through the website

Accuracy of Information

While we make reasonable efforts to provide accurate and current information, we make no representations or warranties about:

  • The completeness, accuracy, reliability, or correctness of any information
  • The currentness of legal information (laws change frequently)
  • The applicability or suitability of information to your specific situation
  • The absence of errors, omissions, or inaccuracies

Information that was accurate when posted may become outdated or inaccurate over time. Always consult with a licensed attorney about current law applicable to your situation.

Testimonials and Reviews

Testimonials and client reviews on this website reflect individual experiences and personal opinions. They:

  • Do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of results in your case
  • May not be representative of experiences of other clients
  • Should not create expectations about outcomes we can achieve
  • May have been edited for length, clarity, or grammar
  • May involve unique facts and circumstances not applicable to your situation

Modifications to Website and Terms

We reserve the right to:

  • Modify, suspend, or discontinue this website or any part of it at any time without notice
  • Change, modify, add, or remove these Terms of Use at any time
  • Update, change, or remove website content without notice

Changes to these Terms of Use will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified terms. We encourage you to review these Terms of Use periodically.

Geographic and Jurisdictional Limitations

Attorney Maureen Williams is licensed to practice law only in the State of Illinois. This website and legal services described are intended for individuals seeking legal representation in Illinois only.

We do not:

  • Provide legal services in any jurisdiction outside Illinois
  • Offer legal advice regarding laws of other states or countries
  • Accept representation in jurisdictions where we are not licensed

If you are located outside Illinois or need representation in another jurisdiction, do not rely on this website for legal advice. Nothing on this website constitutes an offer to provide legal services in any jurisdiction where such offer would be unauthorized.

Privacy and Data Collection

Use of this website is also governed by our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you consent to the data collection and use practices described in the Privacy Policy.

Electronic Communications

By using this website or communicating with us electronically, you consent to receive electronic communications from us. You agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications we provide electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms of Use and any disputes arising from or related to this website shall be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any legal action or proceeding arising from these Terms of Use or use of this website shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Peoria County, Illinois. You consent to the jurisdiction and venue of these courts.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms of Use is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms of Use shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision. No waiver shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by an authorized representative.

Entire Agreement

These Terms of Use, together with our Privacy Policy and Disclaimer, constitute the entire agreement between you and Heart of Illinois Criminal Defense regarding use of this website and supersede all prior or contemporaneous understandings and agreements.

Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Use, please contact us:

Heart of Illinois Criminal Defense
Attorney Maureen Williams
416 Main Street, Suite #829
Peoria, Illinois 61602
Phone: (309) 999-1177
Email: [email protected]

By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms of Use, you must immediately cease using this website.