Misdemeanor

Carla Haney is a Louisiana licensed Attorney and Registered Nurse. She started Haney Law Firm (HLF) to provide affordable legal services to the community. HLF is committed to providing professional, quality legal representation that is client-centered and cost-effective. Whether you are going through a divorce or need to establish paternity, we are here to help and listen to your side of the story. We will represent you with integrity and compassion.

The Law Offices of Robert G. Cummings is devoted to the defense of individuals and entities charged with or facing criminal prosecution. Mr. Cummings believes in high quality, aggressive representation and pays close attention to his client's needs. He has vast experience and has handled a wide variety of cases ranging from homicides to traffic infractions. In the words of one California Superior Court Judge, "Mr. Cummings is an extremely able and dedicated attorney who has the ability to accomplish a wide range of tasks in a high pressure environment exceptionally well." The firm represents individuals and entities in all criminal cases in the Bay Area including San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Marin, Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties. If you or a loved one are under investigation for or charged with a crime, contact the Law Offices of Robert G. Cummings. Your initial consultation is free.

Vincent Bianco is a practicing lawyer in the state of New York. He received his J.D. from Hofstra University in 1999.

With a work and volunteer background spanning over twenty-years that includes law enforcement supervisor, narcotics K9 handler, narcotics investigations, DUI enforcement, emergency medical services, forensic death investigation, fire suppression, crime scene and accident investigation, Brad brings a unique perspective to the criminal cases he handles. Brad is an advocate for the accused—having represented hundreds of individuals accused of crimes in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia—he understands the ins and outs of a criminal charge. His background as a former law enforcement sergeant and narcotics canine handler provides him with the ability to effectively represent clients accused of a wide variety of criminal offenses including misdemeanors, felonies, DUI offenses, and drug charges. A 2003 graduate of the West Virginia State Police Academy’s 118th Basic Class, Brad was trained in the procedures used by law enforcement officers. He was also certified to conduct field sobriety tests as well as operate the preliminary breath test and secondary breath tests utilized in DUI investigations. Brad understands each case is important to his clients, no matter how minor the charge. He believes that knowing every detail of a case is imperative. In each case, he relies on his experience as an attorney as well as over eight years in law enforcement and over 400 hours of law enforcement training to prepare a defense. With a background and experience as both a criminal defense attorney and a former law enforcement officer, Brad spots the important issues in his clients’ cases, ensures proper procedures were followed by law enforcement, and works toward minimizing the effects an arrest can have on his clients’ lives. As a Member of the national organization DUI Defense Lawyers Association, Brad has traveled across the country to attend DUI Defense seminars including Scottsdale AZ, Chicago IL, Philadelphia PA, and Charleston SC. Brad is a Member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association and has traveled across the country to attend DUI Defense seminars in Scottsdale AZ, Chicago IL, and most recently, Philadelphia PA. He is also a member of the Order of the Barristers—an honor bestowed upon only ten members of his law school graduating class. In addition to representing clients in the Eastern Panhandle, Brad formerly worked to overturn wrongful convictions as a member of the West Virginia Innocence Project at the West Virginia University College of Law in Morgantown.

Sam L. Amirante, a retired Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County has returned to private practice, where he concentrates in the areas of criminal and civil litigation. While a Judge, Sam Amirante was assigned to the County’s Third District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows for 13 years and 3 years in the City of Chicago, Judge Amirante carried out his duties with competence, integrity, dedication and compassion. A Chicago columnist, who dubbed Judge Amirante the Hugging Judge, noted that he occasionally directed youngsters in court to hug their parents after resolving matters which have caused an emotional break between them, usually evoking a round of applause from his courtroom. After his appointment to the bench in December, 1988, Judge Amirante presided over hundreds of jury and non-jury trials involving Felonies, Misdemeanors, Traffic, Domestic and Civil matters. He earned approval and praise from sundry citizens, government officials and court watchers. Upon graduation from Loyola University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1970 Sam enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. From 1970 to 1976 Sam honorably served in the United States Marine Corps on both active and reserve duty attaining the rank of Sergeant and Platoon Leader. While in boot camp he became the17th Marine in the long history of the Corps to receive a perfect 500 points on the tough Marine Corps physical fitness test. Sam is currently a member of the American Legion, Chicago Police Marine Corps League, Italian American War Veterans and various other veteran groups. While on reserve duty, Sam earned his Juris Doctor Degree (JD) from Loyola University School of Law in 1974, graduating in the upper third of his class and was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. While attending school, he worked part-time as a policeman for the Village of Norridge. Following his admission to the Illinois Bar, he became an Assistant Public Defender participating as lead counsel in hundreds of felony and misdemeanor bench and jury trials. Sam eventually became the supervising attorney for all of Northwest Suburban Cook County. In 1978,Sam entered the private practice of law where he tried cases throughout the State of Illinois and other States and served for a Prosecutor for the Village of Norridge. That same year, together with Attorney Robert M. Motta, provided legal counsel for serial killer John Wayne Gacy. At the conclusion of the trial, the trial judge commended Amirante and Motta for the excellent legal defense they had provided during the 15-week long trial. Prior to Judge Amirante’s appointment to the bench in 1988, he was a partner in the law firm of Amirante & Etchingham with offices in Park Ridge. In 1987, upon completion of the United States v. Jack Farmer et.al. trial in the United States Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois the Court Buffs of Chicago reported in their December 10, 1987 Courtwatchers Newsletter: “Having observed the likes of BAILEY, BUGLIOSI, AND SPENCE PERFORM IN CHICAGO COURTROOMS, we can say the amicable AMIRANTE ranks with them.”Sam is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, the Federal and U.S. Supreme courts. He has appeared pro hoc vice on matters in Wisconsin, California, Michigan, Washington, Indiana, and Washington, D.C. He has served as a representative of the Illinois State Bar Association; Northwest Suburban Bar Association (past president); Italian American Bar Association; Illinois Judges Association; the Justinian Society of Lawyers; the Board of Special Olympics; Board Member of Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church in Chicago; Legal Technology Advisory Board at Harper College; the Arts and Science Alumni Association of Loyola University; National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame; the Italian American Political Coalition and Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans; Director and Legal Counsel for the Italian American Police Association; Director for the Little City Board; and as author of the Missing Child Act of 1984, commonly referred to as I-SEARCH; and authored the Loyola Law Review article George Orwell’s 1984 Revisited, Police Abuse of Computers in the 20th Century; and has appeared on numerous television and radio programs as well as speaking engagements.

We specialize in bringing the law to your corner. We are dedicated to understanding what results you want and to helping you understand what actions we can take on your behalf. We will work with you every step of the way to make sure that you understand the choices you are making and feel empowered to make them.

Stephen Bernhardt has been an attorney since he was 25 years old. Now, nearly a decade later, Bernhardt has extensive trial experience in both criminal and civil law. He began his legal career as a prosecutor, first handling misdemeanor offenses such as DUI, Battery, Possession of Controlled Substance, Violation of Injunction and many others. Bernhardt was quickly moved to a felony division and become the State Attorney’s Office’s representative for the county’s Drug Court Program. In this role, Bernhardt learned many techniques to help individuals overcome addictions as well as the differences between the many rehabilitation establishments throughout Florida. Prior to leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bernhardt was the lead prosecutor in his division. Bernhardt conducted several jury trials that ended in convictions and sentences of more than thirty years, including a mandatory life in prison sentence. After leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bernhardt began practicing civil law for one of the largest creditors’ rights firms in the United States. Bernhardt quickly became the lead litigating attorney for the firm’s Florida office and handled countless civil hearings and trials before leaving to start Bernhardt Law, PLLC. Bernhardt Law focuses on the practice areas of Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Debt Defense. Using the knowledge gained throughout the years, Bernhardt Law is dedicated to making sure each client’s specific situation is handled with the utmost professionalism, attention to detail, and integrity.

Stephen Bernhardt has been an attorney since he was 25 years old. Now, nearly a decade later, Bernhardt has extensive trial experience in both criminal and civil law. He began his legal career as a prosecutor, first handling misdemeanor offenses such as DUI, Battery, Possession of Controlled Substance, Violation of Injunction and many others. Bernhardt was quickly moved to a felony division and become the State Attorney’s Office’s representative for the county’s Drug Court Program. In this role, Bernhardt learned many techniques to help individuals overcome addictions as well as the differences between the many rehabilitation establishments throughout Florida. Prior to leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bernhardt was the lead prosecutor in his division. Bernhardt conducted several jury trials that ended in convictions and sentences of more than thirty years, including a mandatory life in prison sentence. After leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bernhardt began practicing civil law for one of the largest creditors’ rights firms in the United States. Bernhardt quickly became the lead litigating attorney for the firm’s Florida office and handled countless civil hearings and trials before leaving to start Bernhardt Law, PLLC. Bernhardt Law focuses on the practice areas of Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Debt Defense. Using the knowledge gained throughout the years, Bernhardt Law is dedicated to making sure each client’s specific situation is handled with the utmost professionalism, attention to detail, and integrity.

David Hagan is an associate at Wade, Grimes, Friedman, Meinken & Leischner, PLLC, practicing both family law and criminal defense. As a family law attorney, Mr. Hagan handles all aspects of domestic relations cases, such as divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, equitable distribution, settlement agreements, property rights, post-divorce disputes, and close relative and step-parent adoptions. He handles misdemeanor criminal defense, including traffic and DUI cases, and assists the partners with felony cases. Prior to joining Wade, Grimes, Friedman, Meinken & Leischner, PLLC, Mr. Hagan was a paralegal for a small family law firm for several years. There, he helped conduct legal research on mostly family law-related topics, prepared pleadings and assisted in trial preparation, litigated a post-divorce dispute, met with clients regarding their cases and more. Mr. Hagan received his J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. During his time there, he served as a student advisor in the George Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic, where he provided pro bono legal assistance to veterans and their families on issues such as civil contract disputes, veterans discharge upgrades, adoptions, consumer warranty concerns, and other matters. Mr. Hagan was born in Michigan and grew up in Northern Virginia. He played the cello for seven years in his youth. In his free time, he enjoys reading, working out, and socializing with friends.