J. Christopher Llinas

PRO

J. Christopher Llinas

5.0
Rating: 6.6

Licensed for 11 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Middletown, CT
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Immigration, Appeals

213 Court Street, Suite 604, Middletown, CT

This lawyer returned to good standing in 2014
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Virtual Consultation Available

About J. Christopher

Biography

Trouble with the law? Give me a call. I do criminal, DUI, traffic, and immigration removal defense, at both trial and on appeal, in both state and federal courts.

Trouble with the law? Give me a call. I do criminal, DUI, traffic, and immigration removal defense, at both trial and on appeal, in both state and federal courts.

Trouble with the law? Give me a call. I do criminal, DUI, traffic, and immigration removal defense, at both trial and on appeal, in both state and federal courts.

Trouble with the law? Give me a call. I do criminal, DUI, traffic, and immigration removal defense, at both trial and on appeal, in both state and federal courts. Beyond that, I serve as the Connecticut State Delegate for the National College of DUI Defense.

Trouble with the law? Give me a call. I do criminal, DUI, traffic, and immigration removal defense, at both trial and on appeal, in both state and federal courts.

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 35%

35%
DUI and DWI 35%

35%
Immigration 20%

20%
Appeals 10%

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2025 2024 2023
...
+ 1

Licenses

Licensed in Connecticut for 8 years

State: Connecticut

Acquired: 2017

Active

Licensed in Maryland for 11 years

State: Maryland

Acquired: 2014

Inactive - Retired

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2007. Returned to good standing in 2014

Location

Iron Chris Criminal Defense & Immigration

213 Court Street, Suite 604, Middletown, CT, 06457

ironchris.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find J. Christopher online.

J. Christopher Llinas's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

51 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Jose | July 03, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Very proffessional attorney

J Christopher Linas represented me throughout my whole entire Federal criminal case process which was taken to a Jury trial on July 2025 which he won. he fought very hard against the U.S government acusing me of serious charges from conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled... substances most likely facing a long sentence in jail. Still ,took the challege and prepare a very excellent strong defense to beat the US government. A case that seem impossible to many other attorneys he made it possible. He is very proffesional and takes he's job very seriously. communicates very well so that you can clearly understand the process going on and if english is not your first language not a problem, he also has an excellent translating team who works with him. can't be any more grateful with his excellence job, thanks to him today I'm home free happily with my wife and daughters . Yes He beat the case!!

Posted by Marcus | April 05, 2025 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

“Responsive, Reassuring, and Truly Supportive”

Going through a DUI case was one of the most stressful experiences of my life, but Chris Llinas immediately put me at ease. From our first conversation, he was calm, professional, and incredibly reassuring. He explained every step of the process in plain language, answered all of my questions (no mat...ter how small), and was always just a phone call or text away. Chris made a tough situation feel manageable, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful.

Posted by Middletown, CT | August 09, 2023 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

Experienced, trustworthy, personable

I liked Chris right off the bat during the initial consultation phone call regarding a DUI case. He spent time asking for all details and then patiently explained the court process, his defensive plan, and his confidence in getting a positive outcome for the case. Chris sounded very personable, exper...ienced, and trustworthy. I hired him immediately right on the phone without even stepping foot in his office. While waiting for the court date to come, Chris and his staff kept me well-informed and up to date. Chris personally checked on me from time to time through emails and text messages, and was very prompt in responding to my queries, even at off-hours or on weekends. I was put at ease with his supportive manner and his confidence and encouraging words during this time. Chris took care of business on my court date. He successfully obtained the expected outcome for me. Thank you Chris!

Posted by anonymous | June 10, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Best lawyer in the US for major states territory

I am writing today to express my gratitude to the law office of J Christopher Llinas for him and his team for helping me get a pardon for Connecticut states and also having the USCIS approved me for citizenship. I can't thank you enough. You earn my respect and integrity. In the legal industry we n...eed more attorneys like you that is smart, passionate, resourceful, resilient and compassionate. Once again thank you for getting my life on track again

Posted by John | April 06, 2023 | Hired Attorney

Brilliant

Working with Mr Llinas is like having a brilliant attorney in your family ..... personable responsive and incredibly sharp Chris seeks and achieves excellent practical results. I'd venture to say in his areas of expertise you'll be lucky to find a lawyer this talented. Very Respectfully, John S

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J. Christopher Llinas's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse J. Christopher
Jonathan L Katz headshot
Jonathan Katz

Unknown lawyer | Jan 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"For years I have known Chris, who is a very knowledgable and able advocate. He also has an infectiously positive spirit, which clearly helps his both in and out of court. I recommend Chris's services."

John Kevin Phoebus headshot
John Phoebus

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Chris is one of the more intelligent and thoughtful criminal defense attorneys in our community. His experience doing appellate work complements his criminal defense practice by keeping him abreast of the latest developments in the law. He always goes the extra mile for his clients and gets solid results for them."

Thomas J. Maronick Jr headshot
Thomas Maronick

Administrative law lawyer | Jan 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Chris provides strong case analysis for his clients involving both case law and statute defenses that give them a strong advocate in their corner."

View All Endorsements
Richard John Brueckner Jr. headshot
Richard Brueckner

Criminal defense lawyer

John Kevin Phoebus headshot
John Phoebus

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  6.6 (Good)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer returned to good standing in 2014.

Reinstated from Disbarment issued in MD, 2014

updated on 09/27/2016

After being disbarred, a former attorney may apply for reinstatement. He or she must comply with all readmission requirements from the Client Protection Fund of the Bar of Maryland.

Disbarment by Consent issued in MD, 2007

updated on 07/05/2016

This means the attorney agreed to the charge of disbarment in order to avoid a formal hearing. "Disbarment" is the most serious penalty for a lawyer.

J. Christopher’s comment:

“Practiced criminal, DUI, and appellate law from 1999-2006, worked in a corporate setting from 2006-2014, and earned reinstatement to the Bar in 2014. If you want to know the story behind what happened, feel free to ask. I am a far better lawyer for the experience.”

Work Experience

2017 - Present

Owner/Lead Attorney, Llinas Law Immigration & Criminal Defense

2015 - 2017

Solo Practitioner, J. Christopher Llinas, Attorney at Law

2007 - 2015

Corporate Counsel, Royal Plus Inc.

2003 - 2006

Solo Practitioner, J. Christopher Llinas, P.A.

2003 - 2005

Professor, Salisbury University

2002 - 2003

Assistant State's Attorney, Worcester County State's Attorney's Office

1999 - 2002

Assistant Public Defender, Maryland Office Of The Public Defender

1998 - 1999

Legal Aid Attorney, Pine Tree Legal Assistance

1997 - 1998

Clerk to Justice Leigh Saufley, Maine Supreme Judicial Court

Associations

2022 - Present

Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Executive Board Member

2021 - Present

American Immigration Lawyers Association (Connecticut Chapter)

Chair, DMV Committee

2019 - Present

Admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Member

2019 - Present

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Member

2018 - Present

American Immigration Lawyers Association (New England Chapter)

Member

2018 - Present

Admitted to the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) otherwise known as the Immigration Courts, and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)

Member

2018 - Present

United States District Court for the District of Connecticut

Member

2018 - Present

United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Member

2018 - Present

Executive Office of Immigration Review

Member

2018 - Present

Board of Immigration Appeals

Member

2018 - Present

Admitted to United States District Court for District of Connecticut

Member

2018 - Present

National College of DUI Defense

Connecticut State Delegate

2017 - Present

Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Member

2017 - Present

American Immigration Lawyers Association (Connecticut Chapter)

Treasurer

2017 - Present

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Member

2016 - Present

National College of DUI Defense

Member

2015 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2014 - Present

Maryland State Bar Association

Member

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Budget Committee Member

2018 - 2018

Admitted to United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Member

1999 - 2006

Maryland State Bar Association

Member

1999 - 2006

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

1999 - 2006

Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys' Association

Member

1999 - 2006

Worcester County Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Al Amiri v. Rosen, 953 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2021)

Immigration Court and BIA decisions denying asylum claim vacated; Case remanded for further proceedings

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Education

1997

Franklin Pierce Law Center

JD - Juris Doctor

1989

Salisbury University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline This lawyer returned to good standing in 2014 Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution