Criminal Defense
Aggressive representation for felonies, misdemeanors, and everything between. We challenge evidence, protect your rights, and fight for dismissal or reduction.
Illinois Criminal Defense & Criminal Record Clearing in Illinois and Indiana
CLOSE YOUR CASE,
CHANGE YOUR STORY.
Aggressive representation in Illinois criminal defense and record clearing in Illinois and Indiana — the law firm that will fight for your future in the courtroom and beyond.
500+
Cases Resolved
100%
Free Confidential Consultations
5 out of 5 stars
Google Reviews
Illinois & Indiana
Serving Both States
Practice Areas
Every charge.
A strategy.
From your first arrest to clearing your record for good — we handle Illinois criminal defense and record clearing in Illinois and Indiana with precision and tenacity.
Traffic Violations
From speeding tickets to reckless driving charges, traffic violations can impact your license, insurance, and record. We fight to reduce, dismiss, or minimize the impact of every citation and charge.
Sentence / Probation Violations
A probation violation can result in serious consequences including incarceration. We act quickly to protect your rights, challenge the allegations, and advocate for the best possible outcome.
Warrants
Whether you have an active arrest warrant or a bench warrant, we help you address it proactively — protecting you from unexpected arrest and working to resolve the matter on your terms.
Record Clearing — Expungement / Sealing / Governor's Pardon
Eligible arrests and certain convictions can be completely erased or sealed from your record in Illinois and Indiana. When a case is not eligible for expungement or sealing, a Governor's Pardon may be the path forward in Illinois. We evaluate your options and handle the full filing process start to finish.
Identity Theft Petitions
If someone else's criminal activity has been recorded under your identity, we file petitions to correct the record and restore your name — an area that demands an experienced attorney.
Why Choose CLO
MORE THAN
A LAWYER.
AN ALLY.
- Deep knowledge of Illinois criminal procedure and expungement & sealing law in Illinois and Indiana
- Flat-fee services across all practice areas — no surprise billing
- Incredibly responsive — clients are never left waiting or wondering
- Dual licensed in Illinois & Indiana
"I procrastinated expunging and sealing my background for years due to the time and paperwork involved. Colleen saved me all the footwork and time, helping expunge and seal my background across multiple cases in multiple counties. She was very transparent before and after every petition, court appearance, and outcome — with text messages, emails, and documents for my records. She also offered an affordable monthly payment plan and got the job done. Thank you, Colleen!"
— Derrick C.Record Expungement & Sealing Client · Google Review
"Colleen worked on my case and she was a pleasure to work with. She was professional, informed, helped me understand my options, and performed well in court when speaking to the judge. She was able to get me a great deal with the prosecutor and judge. I appreciate the outstanding work and highly recommend Colleen."
— Stefan C.Criminal Defense Client · Google Review
"I worked with Colleen and am very happy. If you've made a mistake that has weighed on your conscience for years — call her. The fee is very reasonable, I was treated with respect, and my record has been cleared. Thank you, Colleen."
— Lawrence C.Record Expungement Client · Google Review
"Colleen displayed a genuine commitment to reducing or dismissing my charge entirely. She meticulously reviewed every detail, filed motions, negotiated with prosecutors, and even consolidated multiple court appearances into a single Zoom hearing — saving me significant time and stress. Her clear communication kept me informed at every step. My misdemeanor was resolved with minimal impact on my life. If you're looking for a lawyer who fights tirelessly and treats your case with care, Colleen is the one to choose."
— A.A.Criminal Defense Client · Google Review
"Colleen was awesome. During the court review, she presented the details of my case with such depth and knowledge that at times I barely recognized it was me — she had studied everything I provided her, including my bio and all references. She was prompt in execution and follow-up throughout. If ever needed in the future, Colleen would be my first call. Thank you, thank you Colleen!"
— Jim W.Criminal Defense Client · Google Review
Charges We Defend
If you've been charged,
we've defended it.
Our firm handles a wide range of criminal charges across Illinois courts. Every client receives direct attorney attention and a defense built for their specific situation.
DUI
First offense, repeat, aggravated
Retail Theft
Misdemeanor & felony shoplifting
Obstruction
Obstruction of justice & police
Domestic Battery
All domestic violence charges
Simple Battery
Misdemeanor & aggravated battery
Fraud
Wire fraud, identity fraud, financial crimes
Theft
Misdemeanor to felony theft charges
Criminal Damage to Property
Vandalism, destruction of property
Criminal Trespass
Residential & state-supported land
Drug Possession & Delivery
All controlled substance charges
Assault & Battery
Simple, aggravated, and mob action
Don't see your charge?
Call us — we handle many more.
How It Works
From your first call
to your last court date.
Free Consultation
Tell us what happened. We listen, assess your case honestly, and explain your options — no pressure, no judgment.
Case Strategy
We review all evidence, police reports, and records. We build a defense or expungement and sealing strategy tailored to your situation.
Aggressive Action
We file motions, negotiate with prosecutors, appear in court, and handle all filings on your behalf — keeping you informed every step.
Your Best Outcome
Whether it's a dismissal, reduced charge, acquittal, or a clean record — we push until we reach the best possible result.
Meet Your Attorney
COLLEEN LEFEVOUR-OLLERER
Juris Doctor · Attorney at Law
Background
Before Colleen LeFevour-Ollerer ever defended a client, she had already worked alongside law enforcement, inside a prosecutor's office, and on the front lines of the courtroom. She didn't just study the justice system — she worked inside it, on both sides, before dedicating her career to defending the people within it.
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Sociology from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois in 2015, Colleen joined the Rosemont Public Safety Department, where she worked for five years alongside those who served, while simultaneously pursuing her Juris Doctor at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. During law school, she clerked at the Cook County State's Attorney's Office in the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau and at The John Marshall Law School's Domestic Violence and Family Law Clinic — giving her a firsthand perspective and understanding of how cases are built and argued from both sides of the courtroom.
Career
Upon earning her Juris Doctor in 2019, Colleen joined the Law Offices of Matthew Fakhoury, a criminal defense firm in the Chicagoland area, where she was promoted to Managing Attorney in 2020. In 2021, Colleen became dual licensed in Indiana and partnered with Matthew Fakhoury to open XpungeIndy, a firm focused on record clearing throughout the entire state of Indiana, where she served as sole practitioner.
Then, Colleen went on to open her own practice with a singular mission: to defend all cases with the full picture in mind — beyond the outcome of the case.
Mission
Colleen understands that a mistake should not follow a person forever. Many of her clients have faced their charges and are ready to move forward. She makes sure to advocate with you as her first priority — with ambition, compassion, and tenacity.
Recognition
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers, straight
from experience.
Honest, up-to-date answers to the questions clients ask most often about Illinois criminal defense and record clearing in Illinois and Indiana. Don't see yours? Call (224) 456-1850 for a free consultation.
What is the difference between expungement and sealing in Illinois?
Expungement physically destroys your criminal record, so it disappears from background checks and public databases. Sealing hides the record from the public and most employers, but it still exists and remains accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing agencies. Which option is available depends on the charge, the outcome, and how much time has passed.
How long does it take to expunge a record in Illinois?
Most Illinois expungement and sealing petitions take four to six months from filing to the court's final order. Timelines vary by county, by how busy the court is, and by whether the State's Attorney objects. Cook County is typically on the longer end; collar counties tend to move faster.
Can I expunge a DUI in Illinois?
A DUI conviction cannot be expunged or sealed in Illinois. However, if your DUI case ended in an amendment, dismissal, or a finding of not guilty, you may be eligible to expunge the arrest record. For convictions, a Governor's Pardon followed by expungement is the only path forward.
What felonies can be sealed in Illinois?
Most Illinois felony convictions are eligible for sealing after a three-year waiting period from completion of your sentence. Exceptions include DUI, domestic battery, sex offenses, and animal cruelty. Because Illinois expanded sealing eligibility significantly in 2017 and 2021, convictions that were once permanent may now qualify — call us for a free eligibility review.
How much does an expungement cost in Illinois?
Court filing fees in Illinois generally run $120–$400 per case, depending on the county. Our firm handles expungement and sealing on a flat fee, so you know the full cost up front with no surprise billing. Payment plans are available.
Do I really need a lawyer for an expungement?
It is not legally required, but an attorney significantly increases your chance of success. An experienced expungement attorney verifies your eligibility, files in every correct court and agency, responds to prosecution objections, and ensures the order is actually served on every record-holder so the record truly disappears from background checks.
Will an expunged record show up on a background check?
Once an expungement is granted and served on all record-holding agencies, the record is destroyed and should not appear on any background check. Sealed records are hidden from most employers but can still be seen by law enforcement and specific licensing bodies. In some cases, private data brokers need to be contacted separately to remove old cached records.
What is a Governor's Pardon and when do I need one?
A Governor's Pardon is an act of executive clemency. For certain Illinois convictions that cannot be expunged or sealed — including DUI, domestic battery, sex offenses, animal cruelty — a pardon with authorization to expunge is the only path to clearing the record. The petition is filed with the Illinois Prisoner Review Board and ultimately decided by the Governor.
Can I expunge my record in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana has one of the most comprehensive expungement statutes in the country, allowing many arrests, misdemeanors, and even certain felony convictions to be expunged. Once granted, an Indiana expungement requires employers, landlords, and licensing agencies to treat the record as if it never existed — and in most cases you may legally answer "no" when asked about the expunged offense. Eligibility depends on the type of offense, the outcome of the case, and how much time has passed since conviction or completion of your sentence.
How long does Indiana expungement take?
Most Indiana expungement petitions take three to five months from filing to the court's final order, though timelines vary by county and court workload. Unlike Illinois, Indiana has strict one-time-only filing rules — meaning you generally cannot refile if a petition is denied. Getting it right the first time, with an experienced attorney, is essential.
What convictions cannot be expunged in Indiana?
Indiana law excludes certain offenses from expungement entirely, including homicide and murder, human trafficking, most sex offenses requiring registration, and offenses involving a victim under age 18. Official misconduct convictions for elected or appointed officials are also ineligible. For serious felonies that do qualify, additional waiting periods and court approval are required. If you are unsure whether your record is eligible, call us for a free consultation — Indiana's expungement statute is detailed and the analysis is fact-specific.
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