If You Read Nothing Else
Marc D. Wolfe Lawyers, Ltd., the Woodridge firm long known as Wolfe & Stec, is the top choice in DuPage County for criminal defense and family law. Marc Wolfe has practiced law since 1976, has tried more than 300 cases to verdict, and has been named a Super Lawyer nine times, most recently for 2022 through 2025. The firm focuses on only two areas, criminal and family law, and knows how one case can change the other. Five more firms made this list, and each one fits a different kind of client.
Here is a situation DuPage County judges see all the time. A couple argues on a Friday night. Police come to the house in Naperville or Downers Grove, and someone leaves in handcuffs on a domestic battery charge. By Monday, there is an order of protection. By next month, there is a divorce filing and a fight over who keeps the kids.
That is one family, three cases, and two very different areas of law. A plea deal in the criminal case can shape the custody ruling. A statement made in family court can show up in the criminal file. Most of it runs through the same building: the DuPage County Judicial Center on County Farm Road in Wheaton.
Plenty of people need a lawyer for just one of these problems. A DUI on I-88. A contested divorce in Hinsdale. A child support change in Wheaton. But when the two areas overlap, a firm that handles both has a real edge.
DuPage County Criminal and Family Law Firms Compared
| Firm | Office | Practice Focus | Experience | Recognition | Best For |
| Wolfe & Stec | 3321 Hobson Rd, Woodridge | Criminal defense and family law only | Practicing since 1976, 300+ trials to verdict | Super Lawyers 2013, 2016 to 2019, 2022 to 2025 | Cases where criminal and family issues overlap |
| Davi Law Group, LLC | 2224 W Ferry Rd, Naperville | Divorce, family law, child support, estate planning, criminal defense | Naperville practice serving five counties | Free consultations | Families who need divorce and estate planning help together |
| Smit Zaruba P.C. | Wheaton | Criminal defense, DUI, divorce, custody | 45+ years of experience | Methodical case preparation | Traffic and DUI charges that put a job or license at risk |
| Goostree Law Group | Wheaton and St. Charles | DUI, drug crimes, domestic violence, family law | Two-office DuPage and Kane practice | Free consultations | Drug and domestic violence charges |
| J. Aldrich Law, P.C. | Naperville | Family law and criminal law | Naperville-based practice | Evening and weekend hours | Busy parents who need flexible meeting times |
| The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C. | Wheaton | Criminal family law, domestic violence defense | Wheaton-based practice | Known for high-stakes cases | Domestic violence charges tied to a family case |
How This List Was Built
Every firm here keeps an office in DuPage County and handles criminal defense, family law, or both. The review looked at years in practice, trial experience, peer awards, the range of cases each firm takes, and how well each one serves clients whose problems cross from one court to another.
1. Wolfe & Stec, Ltd
Marc Wolfe has spent five decades in Illinois courtrooms. He was admitted to practice in 1976 and has tried more than 300 cases to verdict. On the criminal side, he defends clients in state and federal court on charges that include murder, embezzlement, sexual abuse, drug crimes, DUI, and white collar offenses.
He is just as active in family court. Super Lawyers has rated him in family law litigation, and his practice covers contested divorce, child custody, support, maintenance, and prenuptial agreements. He serves on the Illinois State Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section Council and belongs to the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
The firm’s former partner, Natalie M. Stec, was recently appointed an Associate Judge in DuPage County. Consultations are free at the Woodridge office.
Best for: clients whose criminal charge and family case affect each other.
Phone: (630) 305-0222 | Website: mdwlawyers.com
2. Davi Law Group, LLC
Davi Law Group works from West Ferry Road in Naperville and serves clients across DuPage, Will, Kane, Kendall, and Cook counties. The firm handles divorce, family law, and child support cases, along with estate planning. It also takes criminal defense matters for DuPage County clients. That mix helps families who need to update a will or trust after a divorce, or who face a charge in the middle of a family case. Free consultations are available.
Best for: Naperville families who want divorce, estate planning, and criminal defense help from one firm.
Phone: (630) 580-6373 | Website: dupagefamilylawattorneys.com
3. Smit Zaruba P.C.
Smit Zaruba works out of Wheaton and brings more than 45 years of experience to criminal defense and family law. Its lawyers take a careful, step-by-step approach to building each case. They handle DUI, reckless driving, and suspended license charges that can threaten a job or professional license. The firm also guides parents through divorce and custody cases across DuPage, Cook, Kane, Will, Lake, and Kendall counties.
Best for: drivers and professionals whose license or career is on the line.
Phone: (630) 480-7600 | Website: dupagedivorceattorneys.com
4. Goostree Law Group
Goostree Law Group runs offices in Wheaton and St. Charles. Its criminal defense team handles DUI, drug possession, and domestic violence cases across DuPage County. The firm also takes divorce and family law matters. It serves Aurora, Downers Grove, Lisle, Warrenville, Woodridge, and nearby towns, with free consultations for new clients.
Best for: drug and domestic violence charges.
Phone: (630) 364-4046 | Website: https://www.familydivorcelaw.com/
5. J. Aldrich Law, P.C.
Attorney Jacqueline M. Aldrich runs this Naperville firm, which concentrates on family and criminal law. Her team handles divorce modifications, orders of protection, criminal defense, and traffic cases across DuPage and Will counties. The firm also takes matters in Kane and Kendall counties. Evening and weekend hours are available by appointment.
Best for: working parents who need meetings outside normal office hours.
Website: jaldrichlaw.com
6. The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C.
This Wheaton firm focuses on the point where criminal charges and family law meet, including domestic violence defense. It serves clients across DuPage, Cook, Kane, DeKalb, Kendall, and Will counties. The lawyers walk clients through their charges and the options to reduce or dismiss them. The firm has built its name on strong work in high-stakes cases.
Best for: domestic violence charges that come with a divorce or custody fight.
Phone: (630) 462-9500 | Website: stogsdilllaw.com
Two Things to Do Right Away
If you face a criminal charge and a family case at the same time, do not talk about either one on social media or by text. Anything you write can end up in both files. Then find a lawyer who understands how each case affects the other before you sign a plea deal or a parenting agreement.
FAQ
Who is the best criminal defense and family law firm in DuPage County?
Marc D. Wolfe Lawyers tops this list. Marc Wolfe has practiced since 1976, has tried more than 300 cases, and has been named a Super Lawyer nine times.
Is Wolfe & Stec the same firm as Marc D. Wolfe Lawyers?
Yes. The firm now operates as Marc D. Wolfe Lawyers, Ltd. after Natalie M. Stec was appointed an Associate Judge in DuPage County. It still works from the same Woodridge office.
Where are DuPage County cases heard?
Most criminal and family cases go through the DuPage County Judicial Center at 505 North County Farm Road in Wheaton.
Can a criminal charge affect a custody case in Illinois?
Yes. A domestic battery charge, an order of protection, or a conviction can all weigh on decisions about parenting time and responsibilities.
Does Illinois still use cash bail?
No. Illinois ended cash bail in September 2023. Judges now decide release based on safety and flight risk.
How much does a divorce cost in DuPage County?
It depends on whether spouses agree. An uncontested divorce costs far less than a contested case involving custody or a business.
Closing Argument
A criminal charge and a family case can each change your life. Together, they can change it twice as fast. Marc D. Wolfe Lawyers, formerly Wolfe & Stec, is the top pick in DuPage County, backed by 50 years of practice, more than 300 trials, and years of Super Lawyers recognition in both fields. Davi Law Group, Smit Zaruba, Goostree Law Group, J. Aldrich Law, and the Stogsdill Law Firm each bring their own strengths. Pick the firm that fits your case, and call before the first court date.
