Mary F. Petruchius
The Law Office of Mary F. Petruchius
313 E. State Street
Sycamore, IL 60178
Map
Phone: 815-991-2095 | Fax: 815-991-2097
http://www.petruchiuslaw.com
Experienced, Personalized & Attentive Counsel
Legal Topic
Criminal Defense
Preferred New Clients
No one anticipates needing a lawyer. Every life occasionally experiences conflict. We understand the ways to resolve these troubles competently, efficiently and effectively. We will help you through this difficult period while protecting your rights and seeking your most favorable outcome. When you or your loved ones are in need of representation, call someone you can trust.
Sub-Topics
Automotive
- DUI / DWI
- Traffic Violations
Criminal Records
- Expungement or Expunction
Bar Admissions
IL, May 1991
Bar Number: 6206035
Specialty Certifications
Certified Mediator - Conflict Resolution and Divorce Mediation Institute
Past member of the Mediation Council of Illinois and the Association for Conflict Resolution - an international mediation organization.
Other Court Admissions
Illinois State Courts
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. Supreme Court
Association Memberships
Illinois State Bar - DeKalb County and Kane County
American Bar Association
Continuing Education
As a member of the Women and the Law's Continuing Legal Education Subcommittee, I have participated in drafting, organizing, moderating and lecturing for two continuing legal education programs this year. "The Secret World of Human Trafficking" was held in January 2007 and "Girls' Justice: Delivered or Denied?" presented in October 2007.
Mediation training with the Conflict Resolution and Divorce Mediation Institute
Papers and Publications
Mental Health Law Handbook, 1995 - for attorney use in involuntary commitment and forcible medication hearings in Kane County.
I have also authored and co-authored numerous articles for the Women and the Law's Continuing Legal Education Subcommittee's newsletter.
Example Cases
Adult Criminal Defense:
~ All Misdemeanors and Felonies (drug cases, battery, domestic battery, sex offender, firearms)
~ Violations of Probation and Parole
~ Expungements
~ All Petty Offenses and Municipal Ordinance Violations (non-jailable offenses)
Juvenile Law:
~ All Juvenile Delinquency matters
~ Minor Requiring Authoritative Intervention (MRAI)
~ Representing parents and children in Abuse and Neglect cases
~ Juvenile Expungements
DUI and Traffic:
~ Misdemeanor and Felony DUIs
~ Misdemeanor and Felony Driving While License Revoked
~ Driving While License Suspended
~ All Traffic Offenses
Real Estate:
~ Residential and Commercial Real Estate Closings
~ Quit Claim Deed preparation
Wills:
~ Will preparation for single and married persons
Adoptions:
~ Representation for petitioners in private and agency adoptions
~ Guardian Ad Litem appointments in adoptions
Family Law:
~ Uncontested Dissolution of Marriage
~ Parentage actions
~ Post-Decree matters
~ Guardian Ad Litem appointments in custody proceedings
Guardianships:
~ Representation of petitioners and wards in contested and uncontested adult guardianship proceedings
~ Representation of minors in all guardianship proceedings
~ Guardian Ad Litem appointments in guardianship proceedings
Mental Health:
~ Representation of petitioners and respondents in involuntary civil commitment and forcible medication hearings
Education
John Marshall Law School
Juris Doctorate
Chicago
IL
1989
Loyola University
Bachelor of Science
Chicago
IL
1974
Anthropology.
For two years, I taught Anthropology at St. Scholastica Academy in Chicago. During this time, I organized and presented the first all-high school rape prevention seminar in the City of Chicago in the early 1980's.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Illinois
Firm Focus and History
On January 1, 2008, I opened my solo general practice firm, The Law Office of Mary F. Petruchius, located at 313 East State Street, Sycamore, Illinois. I provide representation to clients in most of the counties in Northern Illinois, including many of the Chicagoland western suburbs. The Law Office of Mary F. Petruchius is a general practice firm, concentrating in Criminal Defense, DUI and Traffic Defense, Family, Juvenile, & Mental Health Law Real Estate; Wills; Guardianships & Adoptions; and Mediation.
Previous Employment Summary
After graduating from law school I spent the first eight years of my legal career as an assistant public defender in Kane and De Kalb Counties represnting indigent clients in criminal, juvenile and hental health law cases. In June of 2000, I partnered with Richard Schmack to form the general practice law firm of Schmack & Petruchius, located in Sycamore, Illinois.
Activities and Awards
In August 2007, I was appointed to the Illinois State Bar Association Standing Committee on Law Related Education for the Public. The purpose of the LRE is to develop, implement, and administer law-related education programs to enhance the understanding of the legal system and the role of lawyers in our society. The LRE includes programs to educate the public and students of all ages about the important role of lawyers and judges, the importance of an independent judiciary for the proper administration of justice, and fosters an interest in students to respect our justice system and consider pursuing careers in the law.
Within my community, I am a member of the De Kalb County Juvenile Justice Council and its Truancy Committee. I currently serve on the executive boards for Kishwaukee Women's Network, the De Kalb County Hospice and Shelters for Healthy Environments, Inc. I am a former member and past president of the De Kalb County Community Mental Health Board. I am also volunteer at Pay-It-Forward House in Sycamore, Illinois.Member of the DeKalb County Juvenile Justice Council and the Cuncil's Truancy Comittee; Kishwaukee Women's Network and DeKalb County Hospice and Shelters for Healthy Enviornments, Inc., Board Member
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I believe it is important for clients to understand legal procedures and substantive legal issues affecting them so that they can be knowledgeable at each step of the process, should they find themselves confronted with a specific legal problem. I do not believe, however, that clients by simply "educating themselves on legal issues" can be considered to be fully qualified to represent themselves pro se in all cases.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Yes, in some instances.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am more than willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves in very limited types of cases, such as simple traffic offenses and most ordinance violations, punishable by fines only. As a matter of fact, I have an ethical problem with taking a client's fees in a simple traffic or petty offense case if I know the client could obtain the same outcome pro se that an attorney could in representing the client. On the other hand, I am very reluctant to coach a client in cases in which sentences could involve incarceration. When an individual's liberty rights are at stake, it is imperative that the individual has a qualified advocate to attempt to preserve those rights. An individual who is not an attorney may not have the education and skills necessary to do that on his or her own behalf.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
Although I loved teaching, I also wanted an intellectual challenge, so I decided to return school and study the law. I felt that I could better serve others by doing something beyond teaching, and being an attorney was the career path I chose to follow.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
My education and work experience have given me the tools to be able to work with all types of individual in all kinds of situations. My university and post graduate education in the field of Anthropology gave me an insight into and understanding of persons who are different from myself. The major tenet of the study of Anthropology is the acceptance of cultural differences among societies and the focus on our similarities. As a waitress, high school teacher and advertising sales consultant, I learned how to deal with persons of all ages, races and social classes.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I chose my primary category of criminal defense and juvenile law as a result of my eight years as an assistant public defender. That experience made me realize the need in the criminal justice system for honest and compassionate advocates for those unable to advocate for themselves.
What do you like best about your career?
I love the direct client contact my career affords me as well as the opportunity to work with those from the agencies that are an integral part of the legal system such as probation departments, addictions counselors, and mental health professionals, to name a few.
Tell us about your law firm:
After spending eight years as an assistant public defender and seven years in a general practice firm with one partner, I decided to become a solo practitioner in January of 2008. My primary areas of concentration include: adult criminal defense, juvenile delinquency and abuse and neglect, DUI and traffic, real estate, wills, adoptions, family law, guardianships, and mental health. I promise to represent all clients with my fifteen years of experience and with honesty, competence, and integrity.
What are your strengths and style?
I believe I am an effective negotiator and communicator. I would rather settle a case in which all parties are satisfied than litigate for the sake of litigating. On the other hand, I am a zealous advocate for my client when it is necessary. I attempt to communicate with my clients using language they understand, as opposed to throwing about legal jargon that is unfamiliar, confusing and frightening to them.
Personal Interests:
The freedom of solo practice affords me additional time to continue my active involvement in various bar associations as well as in the De Kalb County Juvenile Justice Council and other local civic organizations. I am a volunteer with the Illinois State Bar Association's Lawyer in the Classroom project, a program that pairs local attorneys with private and public middle and high schools to help educators plan and present lessons on our legal system and other issues with law-related themes. As a solo practitioner, I am able to pursue my love of the law and my passion for teaching.
I love to travel, and am an avid reader of many varieties of fiction and non-fiction. I enjoy all types of music and dance. My husband and I often like to prepare great dinners to share with family and friends.
Fax
815-991-2097
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Other days and hours and house calls available by appointment, upon request.
We are available to return phone calls after hours and on weekends.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Depends on the type of case. Feel free to call for a fee schedule.
Hourly Rates
$180
Free Initial Consultation?
We offer free initial consultations in all traffic, DUI, criminal, and juvenile cases. We charge a $50 one-hour initial consultation fee in all other types of cases.
Typical Retainer
We do not have any cases in which there is a typical retainer.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
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