Paulson & Vandersnick - Rock Island, IL

Formidable Criminal Defense and Trial Advocacy in Rock Island

Facing state or federal criminal charges in the Quad Cities puts your freedom, future, and family reputation on the line. When you need to hire a criminal defense lawyer or find an aggressive DUI attorney in Rock Island, Illinois, Paulson and Vandersnick delivers unmatched courtroom strength. Operating from their primary office on 44th Street in Rock Island and a secondary location in Bettendorf, Iowa, the firm represents clients throughout Rock Island County, Henry County, Scott County, and federal district courts across Illinois and Iowa. With more than one hundred years of combined trial experience, the defense team provides steadfast, bilingual legal representation to protect your constitutional rights.

Unique Insight from a Former Judge and State Attorney

The defense team at Paulson and Vandersnick offers an extraordinary procedural advantage. Partner Larry Vandersnick previously served twelve years as the elected Henry County State Attorney and fourteen years as an Illinois Circuit Court Judge in Rock Island and Cambridge. This extensive judicial and prosecutorial background gives the firm profound insight into how prosecutors evaluate evidence, how judges rule on suppression motions, and how juries perceive trial testimony. When paired with the relentless courtroom advocacy of partner Matthew Paulson, clients receive a sophisticated defense strategy designed to expose police errors, challenge unlawful search warrants, and secure charge reductions or dismissals.

Comprehensive Criminal Defense and Litigation Services

Paulson and Vandersnick handles a full spectrum of criminal and civil disputes in municipal, state, and federal venues:

• DUI and DWI defense: Defending motorists against first-offense and felony DUI or OWI charges, statutory summary suspensions, breath test refusals, and navigating formal Secretary of State driver license reinstatement hearings.
• Drug crime defense: Litigating complex interstate highway drug interdiction stops, unlawful vehicle searches, and charges involving narcotics possession, manufacturing, and distribution.
• Violent crime defense: Mounting fierce courtroom defenses against accusations of aggravated assault, battery, domestic violence, weapons offenses, robbery, and homicide.
• Theft and burglary defense: Protecting client records against allegations of retail theft, burglary, identity theft, and white collar crimes.
• Traffic ticket defense: Resolving speeding citations, reckless driving charges, and commercial driver license violations to prevent point accumulation and license revocations.
• Appeals and post-trial motions: Challenging unjust trial verdicts, improper sentencing guidelines, and constitutional errors before Illinois and Iowa appellate courts.
• Car accidents and personal injury: Fighting for injury victims hurt in motor vehicle collisions caused by negligent drivers.

Why Clients Choose Paulson and Vandersnick

Clients choose Paulson and Vandersnick for their commanding courtroom presence, client-first responsiveness, and accessible bilingual services for Spanish-speaking clients. Having tried hundreds of high-stakes criminal trials to verdict, the firm understands that prompt action can make the difference between freedom and incarceration. Offering weekend availability and free initial consultations, Paulson and Vandersnick is prepared to take immediate control of your defense. Contact the Rock Island office today to discuss your case directly with a seasoned trial lawyer.