Success Stories

Judge tells client: “You have a fantastic lawyer” after finding him Not Guilty

September 24, 2020 | People v. T.W. (Markham)

Mr. W. was charged with his third DUI offense. He was alleged to have committed lane violations and failed three field sobriety tests. Mr. Wallin took the case to trial, agreeing to hold the trial on Zoom during the pandemic. After finding the Defendant “Not Guilty” the Judge stated that he felt that both the prosecutor and Mr. Wallin had presented a “textbook DUI trial.” He told Mr. Wallin’s client that he has a “fantastic lawyer” who had a “brilliant cross-examination” of the arresting police officer.

Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapon charge dropped after Prosecutor Agrees with Wallin’s Argument

September 11, 2020 | People v. J.A. (26th Street)

Mr. A. was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and being a felon in possession of a weapon. The first charge is a Class 2 misdemeanor carrying a mandatory minimum three year sentence. The other charge is a Class 3, with a range of sentence from 2 to 10 years. Mr. A. claimed that he was not a felon; that a Florida case that was on his record from nearly 20 years ago was expunged. Mr. Wallin researched Florida law and discovered that his client had received a sentence “withholding an adjudication of guilt and placing him on probation.” He found a recent Florida Supreme Court opinion holding that such a sentence could not be used to enhance a weapons charge. There was also a Federal Court opinion that followed the Florida Supreme Court. Based on that, along with a showing that Mr. A. was in full compliance with the Illinois Concealed Carry law, the Cook County prosecutor agreed to dismiss the charges.

Client Found Not Guilty Despite Accident and Bizarre Behavior

October 24, 2019 | People v. A.S. (Markham)

This client was involved in an automobile accident on a snowy day. She urinated while sitting in the back of a police squad car. Upon being taken to the police station, she asked unusual questions and performed the field tests in her own unique manner, not as instructed. Mr. Wallin argued that these were signs of her unique personality and mental health issues, not proof of intoxication. Mr. Wallin previously got her license suspension rescinded because the officers did not properly warn her of the consequences of refusing to take a breath test before they obtained her refusal.

DUI Victory Despite Multiple Moving Violations

September 19, 2019 | People v. M.D. (Daley Center, Chicago)

This client was charged with seven citations, including DUI, aggravated speeding (more than 35 mph over the limit), Scott’s Law, improper lane usage and open alcohol. This is a case where the client wanted a trial even over Mr. Wallin’s advice that he might be better off with a plea bargain. At trial, Mr. Wallin was able to convince the court that the State had failed to prove four of the seven citations, including the DUI and aggravated speeding. The client received supervision and fines on the other three, so he did not receive any convictions on his driving record.

Client Found Not Guilty After Wallin Argues client was nervous, not drunk

September 16, 2019 | People v. A.P. (Rolling Meadows)

This client was arrested in a Northwest suburb for minor vehicle violations. The officer felt that he was acting strange by not maintaining eye contact and not directly answering questions. The client performed three field sobriety tests, passing one of them, but was still arrested for DUI. Mr. Wallin took the case to trial, and the Judge found that the evidence was insufficient to prove a DUI beyond a reasonable doubt.

Not Guilty for Client Referred by Other Lawyer

July 25, 2019 | People v. D.K. (Skokie)

This client was referred to Mr. Wallin by a well-known personal injury attorney, who knows the quality of Mr. Wallin’s work. The client was a young man who was pulled over in the suburbs for minor vehicle violations. He admitted drinking and taking medications, but refused to perform field tests due to his underlying medical condition. Mr. Wallin originally won this client’s license suspension hearing, by establishing that the police lacked a reasonable suspicion to arrest his client. After attempts to negotiate the case with the State did not reach an agreement, Mr. Wallin tried the case before a different judge, who found the case lacking in evidence and the client was found Not Guilty. Mr. Wallin has already had the case expunged from the client’s record.

Client gets Aggravated DUI, license suspension and 11 other felony charges dropped

March 20, 2019 | People v. A.L.

This client was facing 13 felony charges and a three year license suspension after (while suspended for a pending DUI case) he allegedly got drunk and fled from suburban police. He allegedly tried to head butt and spit on officers as well. After Mr. Wallin got his license suspension rescinded, prosecutors agreed to drop 12 of the 13 felony charges, including the DUI and the most serious charges, in return for a plea to resisting arrest.

Not Guilty for Nurse Found Asleep in Car

March 13, 2019 | People v. E.O. (Bridgeview)

This client was found by suburban police officers asleep in her car with the engine running. She insulted the police officers and said she did not have to get out of her car because “my bar is fine.” She told the officers that this was her third arrest for a DUI. Mr. Wallin took the case to trial and pointed out the holes in the State’s case. She was found not guilty

Not Guilty for Client Accused of hitting off-duty Sheriff with Glass

January 22, 2018 | People v. J.M. (111th Street)

This client was accused of throwing a wine glass at an off-duty Cook County Sheriff, and hitting her in the head. Mr. Wallin took the case to trial and proved to the Judge that the Sheriff’s “version” of the facts did not make sense.

Fourth Offense Felony DUI tossed after Wallin’s Cross-Examination

June 30, 2016 | People v. Z.H. (26th Street)

This client was arrested after being pulled over for driving on a rim, which was causing sparks to fly. The arresting officer claimed that she had an odor of an alcoholic beverage, bloodshot eyes, and needed assistance to walk. He claimed that she failed three field sobriety tests. Because this was the Defendant’s fourth DUI, she was looking at a mandatory minimum three years in prison. Mr. Wallin crossed-examined the arresting officer, pointing out that the Defendant had significant health issues that could have caused her balance problems. The judge dismissed the case at the close of the prosecution’s evidence, not requiring Mr. Wallin to present any evidence.