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.
Criminal Defense Cases
Appeal
People of the State of Illinois v. B.B. - In the United States Supreme Court (2004); in the Supreme Court of Illinois (2003); in the Illinois Appellate Court, First District (2002). The client, who was represented at trial by another attorney, was convicted of possession of narcotics after the judge denied the client's motion to quash arrest and suppress evidence. On appeal to the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, Attorney Richard Dvorak convinced the Appellate Court to overturn the client's conviction. The State appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, which heard arguments on the case. The Illinois Supreme Court also held the client was subjected to an illegal search and seizure, and affirmed the decision of the appellate court. The State appealed the case to the United States Supreme Court, which, after asking both sides to brief the issue of whether to accept the State's petition, decided not to hear arguments on the case, and affirmed the decision of the Illinois Supreme Court.
Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault
People of the State of Illinois v. R.D. (2003) - In the Circuit Court of Cook County. The client, a 17-year-old boy, was charged with 10 sexual misconduct counts, including two Class X counts of predatory criminal sexual assault against a 12-year-old girl. The client was facing 60 years in prison if convicted. The family came to Attorney Richard Dvorak, unable to post bond on behalf of their son. The client hired Mr. Dvorak, who quickly got the bond reduced from $500,000(D) to $50,000(D), allowing the client to be released from jail. Using a reasonable mistake-of-age defense, Mr. Dvorak obtained a Not Guilty verdict in a bench trial.
Burglary/Criminal Damage to Property/Receiving Stolen Property/Bail Jumping
People of the State of Illinois v. F.A. (2003) - In the Seventh Judicial District, Vernon County (Wisconsin). The client, a Wisconsin resident, hired Attorney Richard Dvorak to represent him in a case in a small town in Wisconsin, where, during jury selection, about three-quarters of the jury admitting to knowing the police and prosecutors, but were nevertheless not excused from the panel. Nevertheless, Mr. Dvorak tried all of the multiple felony counts before the Jury, and the Jury found the client Not Guilty of all the charges.
Possession of a Controlled Substance
People of the State of Illinois v. F.W. (2004) - In the Circuit Court of Cook County. The client was charged with possession of a controlled substance. The client alleged the officers planted drugs on him during the arrest. Attorney Richard Dvorak took the case to trial, and the client was found Not Guilty by a Jury. One of the officers who testified against the client, A Cicero police sergeant, was eventually himself charged with criminal federal civil rights violations, and sentenced to five years in federal prison.
DUI
People of the State of Illinois v. A.S. (2004) - In the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit, Kane County. In a case where the client alleged the arrest was politically motivated, the client was charged with DUI, and the blood test results revealed a BAC allegedly over three times the legal limit of .08. However, Mr. Dvorak convinced the judge that the blood test results were unreliable, and the judge found the client Not Guilty.
Attempt Criminal Sexual Assault
People of the State of Illinois v. J.M. (2004) - In the Circuit Court of Cook County. The client, a trader with the Chicago Board of Trade, was charged with attempting to sexually assault a co-worker after the two of them went out for drinks. Attorney Richard Dvorak took the case to trial, and the client was found Not Guilty by a Jury.
Appeal
People of the State of Illinois v. C.M. (2004) - In the Illinois Appellate Court, Second District. The client was charged with possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to deliver, and delivery of a controlled substance in relation to an undercover sting operation. On appeal, Attorney Richard Dvorak convinced the appellate court that the search and seizure of the client and the drugs was illegal. The State appealed the case to the Illinois Supreme Court, but the Court refused to hear the State's appeal. The drug charges were dismissed against the client.
Attempted Murder of a Police Officer
People of the State of Illinois v D.H. (2004) - In the Circuit Court of Cook County. While visiting his girlfriend, the client allegedly pointed a gun and pulled the trigger at the Chicago Police Officers who had entered the home. Attorney Brian Barrido took case to trial and the client was found Not Guilty at a bench trial.
Armed Robbery/Burglary/Aggravated Robbery
People of the State of Illinois v. N.M. (2005) - In the Circuit Court of Cook County. The client was charged with committing armed robbery, two burglaries, and two aggravated robberies, all separate incidents. The State refused to offer a plea bargain acceptable to the client, so Attorney Richard Dvorak tried the most serious charge first (the armed robbery) in a bench trial at 26th and California, and obtained a Not Guilty verdict. The cross-examination of the complaining witness revealed that this witness and the complaining witness in one of the burglaries had discussed their identification of the client with each other prior to making their identifications. This admission by the first complaining witness called into question the eyewitness identification in the burglary case, thus forcing the State to dismiss this second charge against our client. With the two aggravated robbery charge remaining, as well as the one of the burglaries, Mr. Dvorak eventually convinced the State to offer the client "boot camp" to plea to the remaining charges, an outcome satisfactory to the client.
Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle
People of the State of Illinois vs T.P. (2005) - In the Circuit Court of Cook County. The client was allegedly driving around south side of Chicago with some friends in a stolen car. Attorney Brian Barrido took case to trial and the client was found Not Guilty by a Jury.
First Degree Murder
People of the State of Illinois v P.T. (2005) - In the Circuit Court of Cook County. The client was alleged to have driven up to a group of people in a van, jumped out and then fired multiple shots into one victim with many eyewitnesses. Attorney Brian Barrido took case to trial and client found Not Guilty by a Jury.
First Degree Murder
People of the State of Illinois v F.W. (2005) - In the Circuit Court of Cook County. The client was alleged to have strangled a woman in an alley on a drug deal gone bad. The Client was later arrested with victim's blood on his shoes and a newspaper article about the alleged murder in his pocket. Attorney Brian Barrido took case to trial and the client was found Not Guilty by a Jury.
Burglary
People of the State of Illinois v B.M. (2005) - In the Circuit Court of Cook County. The client was accused by a store security guard of stealing a camera from a car parked in a strip mall parking lot. Attorney Brian Barrido took case to trial and client found Not Guilty by a Jury.
Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault
People of the State of Illinois v. C.F. (2006) - In the Circuit Court of Cook County. The client, the father of two teenage daughters who accused him of sexually abusing them, was charged with 38 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, aggravated sexual abuse, criminal sexual abuse, and criminal sexual assault. If convicted of all the counts, the client would have, in effect, been facing a lifetime in prison. The client hired Attorney Richard Dvorak, who vigorously investigated and defended the case. Mr. Dvorak demanded trial, and, in the end, the State ended up dismissing all charges against the client.
Battery
People of the State of Illinois v. J.F. (2007) - In the Circuit Court of Cook County. The client was charged with battery to a neighborhood community activist. Attorney Richard Dvorak represented the client, who was found Not Guilty in a bench trial.
Attempt Obstruction of a Peace Officer
People of the State of Illinois v. A.M. (2008) - In the Circuit Court of Cook County. The client was charged with attempt obstruction of a peace officer for allegedly jumping on the back of a police officer during the arrest of her husband. Attorneys Richard Dvorak and Brian Barrido set the case for a Jury Trial, and the client was found Not Guilty.
