Press Release

Attorney Raymond G. Wigell teaches legal clinic at DePaul University, College of Law, Students successfully defend all clients

Students have the opportunity to represent clients under supervision

Chicago, IL, June 20, 2012:  Raymond G. Wigell, of the Law Offices of Raymond G. Wigell, Ltd. and the student lawyers of DePaul University, College of Law successfully completed the Misdemeanor Clinic Cases for Spring, 2012.  The Misdemeanor Clinic provides students who are in their senior year of law school and licensed to practice under the supervision of an attorney the unique experience of representing a client throughout a case.  The clients are defendants charged with criminal misdemeanors in the Circuit Court of Cook County.  Students represent the clients from an initial interview thorough the investigation, motion and trial prep, plea negotiations and trial.  

Three cases were successfully completed during the Spring 2012 Misdemeanor Clinic. The charges included:  One retail theft, a criminal damage to property with various assault and battery to a police officer charges and a battery to a police officer and resisting arrest charge.  The evidence that the State would have presented at trial was very damaging and the likelihood of convictions were strong.   

Despite the likelihood of conviction, none of the defendants were required to serve any jail time and all defendants will be able to expunge the charges from their records. The retail theft was stricken off the call by the state, which has the effect of a dismissal.  The other charges were negotiated so as to allow the clients to be placed on court supervision. A trial was not required for any of the defendants given the excellent work on the part of Professor Wigell's student lawyers.

Additional information on the Misdemeanor Law Clinic can be found on the DePaul University, College of Law website.  Raymond G. Wigell has an LL.M.  in Taxation (DePaul) in addition to his J.D. He has practiced law for 37 years and currently represents criminal cases involving sex crimes, copyright infringement, white collar crimes, drug and violent crimes.   Wigell has also served as a Trial Attorney with the Office of the Public Defender of Cook County.  For more information on criminal attorney Raymond G. Wigell or his practice, visit www.waaltd.com.