Maureen Williams
also known as Heart of Illinois Criminal Defense
About Maureen
Biography
In our office, you will be asked to be a part of our team, as no one knows the facts better than you. Together we will gather all the evidence, hidden and apparent, the forgotten, and your discoveries. We will not pressure you to plead guilty, and we will brainstorm together to figure out the best course of action: trial or no trial.
Allow us the opportunity to fight for you today.
Practice Areas
10
Practice Areas
33 years
33 years
33 years
33 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Illinois for 20 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 2005
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2023
Licensed in Minnesota for 34 years
State: Minnesota
Acquired: 1991
Location
Heart of Illinois Criminal Defense
416 Main Street Ste. 829, Peoria, IL, 61602
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Maureen Williams's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 37 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | December 12, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Professional, courteous and helpful
Maureen reviewed the situation, asked what I was expecting (within reason) and was able to secure it for me. I didn't feel like I was being judged. She also helped with the expungement. Would definitely recommend her services.
Posted by Jennifer | April 23, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Dishonest, unprofessional
Atty Maureen Williams is not who she portrays to be this loving, caring, listening, the mission statement is a bunch of bull! I hired Maureen in Jan to do a case review for a post-conviction for my boyfriend. she charged me 7500 just for the review. I assume she was a good Atty from her reviews. Thi...
Posted by Christina | November 2, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Criminal defense
I had my very first criminal court case in Marshall county. I was very scared nervous and anxious about the whole process. Mrs Williams fought hard to get the court case resolved quickly. After about 3 court dates she had my case resolved in our favor. I definitely will recommend Maureen Williams for...
Posted by Collin | October 7, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Excellent Defense Attorney!
Maureen is an amazing attorney who truly cares about her clients. She helped me with an expungement case and handled everything for me, only requiring me to sign some documents. Her staff is kind, easy to get ahold of and willing to answer any questions that come up along the way. I can’t recommend M...
Posted by anonymous | July 5, 2020 | Hired Attorney
CASE DISMISSED-First meeting with prosecutor DUI
I learned something very valuable When choosing an attorney, chose a winning TRIAL attorney like Maureen Williams Because the prosecutor knows she will take your case to trial I was innocent but Illinois is backwards state when it comes to DUI And had I not hired Maureen, I might very w...
Maureen Williams's Lawyer Endorsements
"Maureen is a wonderful lawyer. We trained together at Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College and I have enormous respect for her both professionally and personally. She has the best combination of intellect and heart, which makes her sought after defense counsel. I highly recommend Maureen."
"Ms. Williams is one of the finest trial attorneys I know. I have worked with her countless times at The Trial Lawyer's College. She is known for being smart, sly, and most importantly, effective. I fully endorse her skills as an advocate and a person."
"I met Maureen at Trial Lawyer's College. Maureen is a true advocate for her clients. If you are lucky enough to have Maureen on your side, you will find that Maureen will fight for the best result and not back down."
"I endorse this lawyer. Maureen has the experience and knowledge to fight for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. I am very honored to endorse a litigator that raises the bar for all attorneys."
"Maureen Williams and I worked together through the Trial Lawyers College. Quickly, her dedication to her clients and her high standards of excellence shone through. She knows her clients well, she is quite accomplished in her profession, and anyone who had Maureen Williams fighting for them has the best attorney possible. I endorse Maureen Williams enthusiastically."
"I endorse this lawyer. Maureen Williams is a dedicated defender of her clients' rights and of the constitution. Ms. Williams represents her client's with a level of tenacity that demands respect. You know your in greats hands if represented by Maureen Williams"
"Maureen is an excellent advocate for her clients who adheres to the highest ethical standards and commitment to the practice of law."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have always found Maureen to be professional, courteous, and knowledgable"
"Maureen is the kind of lawyer you want your friends and family to have because she will protect them."
"Ms. Williams is clearly an attorney who cares deeply about each and everyone of her clients and she will go the extra mile to assist them with their case. She is not afraid to push cases to hearing or trial and argue on behalf of her clients. I endorse Ms. Williams."
"I endorse this lawyer. Maureen works hard and well for her clients and is very considerate of their needs. She is well respected in the legal community."
"You can't go wrong with Maureen Williams. She's smart, aggressive, caring, compassionate, and works hard to win her cases. Highly recommended."
"I endorse this lawyer. Maureen is a very knowledgeable, experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney at both the trial and appellate levels. She does not back down and fights when the facts dictate it. She obtains the best possible results in each case. I highly recommend her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Maureen Williams is a confident, compassionate trial attorney that represents her clients with vigor. She always seems updated on the law and this serves her clients well because laws, rulings, and legal strategies change quite frequently."
DUI and DWI lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
Ethics and professional responsibility lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Construction and development lawyer
Trusts lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Government lawyer
Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023.
Suspension issued in IL, 2023
updated on 04/24/2024Suspension means an attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a specific period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.
“Was 90 day suspension - April 2023 to July 2023 - failing to list on the form the actual names of charities where I did service hours and instead wrongly/falsely submitted form with an improper charity listed - hours were required for speeding ticket.”
Honors
2016
Equal Access Lifetime Achievement Award, Prairie State Legal Services
2009
ProBono Service Award Nomination, John C McAndrews
2009
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1990
American Jurisprudence Award - Constitutional Law, Hamline University School of Law
1988
CPA license-now inactive status, Missouri State
Work Experience
1993 - Present
President, Heart of Illinois Criminal Defense
2007 - 2011
Contract Attorney, State Appellate Defenders Office
1992 - 1993
Law Clerk, State of Minnesota 5th Judicial District
1990 - 1991
Law Clerk, Minneapolis City Attorneys Office
1988 - 1990
Researcher, Arthur Anderson CPAs
1986 - 1986
Intern, Ginoli & Co CPAs
1986 - 1988
Staff accountant, Woodward & Co CPAs
Associations
2022 - Present
National College of DUI DefenseMember
2018 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyersmember
2014 - Present
Illinois Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2005 - Present
Appellate Lawyers AssociationMember
2004 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember
2004 - Present
Peoria County Bar AssociationMember
2016 - 2019
Peoria Symphony GuildPast president
2015 - 2019
Trial Lawyers Collegegraduate
2008 - 2012
Prairie State Legal Services BoardBoard Member
2008 - 2017
OSF HospitalVolunteer
Sample of Legal Cases
pardon of 6+ felonies
hung jury- mistrial
mistrial
reversal
win at Minnesota Supreme Court
reversal
hung jury
Education
2019
Graduate
1991
JD - Juris Doctor
1985
BS - Bachelor of Science
1981
Speaking Engagements
2015
Social Media Admissibility
2015
Criminal Law
2014
Criminal law
2013
Expungement and pardons
Publications
2015
1995
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Missed probation meeting because misread time.
22 Dec 2025
Will, my friend who hasn’t been in trouble go to prison for his third DUI
12 Dec 2025
How can I properly prepare for my post conviction petition
14 Nov 2025