The attorneys at Dvorak, Toppel & Barrido, LLC have obtained millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of their clients, and well over 100 Not Guilty verdicts on behalf of their clients charged with criminal offenses. When going to trial is not the best option for the client, the firm has also been able to obtain very favorable plea dispositions. The following cases are examples of some of these cases.
* Please note that the names of our clients are listed as initials to protect our clients' privacy. In addition, the year listed for the civil cases is the year the case was filed, while the year listed for the criminal cases is the year of the termination of the case.
Civil Rights Cases
Excessive Force
D.F. v. Village of Hanover Park (2002) - In the Federal Northern District of Illinois. Our client, a 57-year-old woman with scoliosis, alleged in her lawsuit that she was pulled over by police, and falsely accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, even though her Breathalyzer result was later determined to be a 0.0. During the arrest, she was taken to the ground by a male police officer, causing her serious injuries. A confidentiality agreement prevents us from discussing the terms of the settlement, but it was settled to the satisfaction of our client.
Coerced Confession/Malicious Prosecution
M.B. v. City of Chicago (2003) - In the Federal Northern District of Illinois. The client was charged in 1987 with first-degree murder, kidnapping and rape, along with three other Chicago youths. The client signed a written confession, and took a plea bargain to testify for the State. In exchange for his plea and testimony, the client spent six years in prison. In 2001, after DNA testing cleared all four youths of the crime, the charges were dismissed, and his plea was vacated. The State gave the client $120,000.00 as compensation. The firm obtained an additional $900,000.00 settlement from the City of Chicago.
Excessive Force/False Arrest/Malicious Prosecution
F.W., et. al. v. Town of Cicero (2004) - In the Federal Northern District of Illinois. The client was beaten and charged with possession of a controlled substance. The firm obtained a not guilty on behalf of the client in criminal court, and then sued the arresting officers in federal court. A confidentiality agreement prevents us from disclosing the amount of the settlement, but it was settled to the satisfaction of our client. A Cicero police sergeant who the client alleged beat him during the incident was eventually convicted of abusing the civil rights of another of the firm's client, H.M., and the sergeant was sentenced to federal prison for five years (see below).
Excessive Force
H.M., et. al. v. Town of Cicero (2004) - In the Federal Northern District of Illinois. The client alleged he was beaten by a Cicero police sergeant during a traffic stop in which he was videotaping the alleged beating of another woman by this same officer. A confidentiality agreement prevents us from disclosing the terms of the settlement, but it was settled to the satisfaction of our client. The Cicero police sergeant who the client alleged beat him during the incident was eventually convicted of abusing the civil rights of our client, H.M., and the sergeant was sentenced to federal prison for five years.
Excessive Force
S.H. v. Cook County (2005) - In the Federal Northern District of Illinois. The client, a pre-trial detainee at Cook County Jail, was kicked in the genitals by a Cook County Sheriff's officer, and eventually suffered a ruptured testicle. The firm settled the case with the County for $350,000.00.
Illegal Search and Seizure of a Home
J.B. v. Village of Maywood (2006) - In the Federal Northern District of Illinois. The clients, a husband, wife, and their three children, alleged in their lawsuit that several Maywood police officers entered their home without a warrant or any other lawful justification seeking a suspect in the murder of a Maywood police officer. A confidentiality agreement prevents us from discussing the terms of the settlement, but it was settled to the satisfaction of our clients.
Excessive Force
B.W. v. City of Chicago (2006) - In the Federal Northern District of Illinois. The client alleged he was beaten by Chicago police officers, and suffered a broken jaw. The firm settled the case with the City of Chicago for $90,000.00.
