Criminal Defense
Domestic dispute charges
All charges dropped
Aggressive pretrial advocacy and constant client communication led to a full dismissal before trial.
Edwardsville is the county seat of Madison County and home to the Madison County Courthouse, where every adult criminal case in the county is heard. The firm appears there regularly for clients facing charges across the full range of state offenses.
Edwardsville cases include the usual mix of DUI, drug, and traffic matters, but the presence of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville adds a steady volume of student-involved cases — underage drinking, possession, disorderly conduct, and resisting. For students, the criminal disposition is only half the problem; SIUE’s student-conduct process runs in parallel and can produce suspension or expulsion regardless of the court outcome.
Madison County prosecutors are organized and prepared. Defending an Edwardsville case requires the same level of preparation — prompt discovery requests, early motion practice, and a clear path to trial when the file justifies it.
Full Criminal Defense practice overviewComprehensive felony and misdemeanor defense, trial advocacy, and pre-charge investigation throughout Southern Illinois.
A criminal charge — even a misdemeanor — is a fight for your record, your livelihood, and in many cases your freedom. Cheryl R. Whitley has spent her career standing between the State of Illinois and the people it accuses, building defenses that begin the moment a client calls and continue through every motion, hearing, and verdict.
Every case starts with an independent investigation. We do not accept the police narrative at face value. Body-cam footage, dispatch logs, witness statements, forensic reports, and chain-of-custody records are obtained, reviewed, and pressure-tested for inconsistencies. Where the State cuts corners — illegal searches, suggestive identifications, coerced statements, lab errors — we file the motions necessary to suppress that evidence and, in many cases, end the case before trial.
Criminal Defense cases from Edwardsville are typically heard at the Madison County Courthouse. The firm appears in this courthouse regularly and is familiar with its judges, prosecutors, and procedures.
Decades of appearances in Madison County courthouses. Familiar with the judges, prosecutors, and local procedures that shape your case.
Your case is handled by Cheryl Whitley personally — not handed off to associates or paralegals. Direct communication from intake to resolution.
Every case is prepared as if it will go to trial. That preparation drives better plea negotiations and stronger outcomes at every stage.
Emergencies don't wait for business hours. The firm is reachable when you need guidance most — including evenings and weekends.
Aggressive pretrial advocacy and constant client communication led to a full dismissal before trial.
Client faced multiple stacked charges. Trial strategy resulted in a complete not guilty verdict with zero felony convictions.
Thorough preparation and courtroom execution earned a not guilty verdict at trial.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Confidential consultation for criminal defense matters across Madison County. Share a few details and Cheryl will respond personally — typically within one business day.