Winning & Respected
Strategic Criminal DefenseAttorney Joshua C. Smith is an accomplished criminal defense attorney and the founder of Smith Law Office, where he has been proudly serving clients since 2017. Joshua graduated with highest honors from Western Illinois University in 2003, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy with minors in Pre-Law and Spanish. While at WIU, he co-founded the Legal Association of Western (LAW)—an organization created to support students pursuing legal careers. He also stood out in oral advocacy, winning the Model Illinois Government Moot Court Competition one year and receiving the Outstanding Attorney Award the following year.
Joshua began his legal career as an attorney with the Winnebago County Public Defender’s Office, gaining valuable trial experience and a deep understanding of the criminal justice system. In 2008, he joined the private sector as a DUI litigation associate at Altamore & Associates, where he practiced until 2017. Over the years, he has achieved numerous favorable outcomes for his clients, including jury trial acquittals, successful bench trial defenses, and granted motions to suppress evidence. His work has helped many individuals retain both their driving privileges and legal standing in complex cases. He is a continued good standing member of the Winnebago County Bar Association, The Illinois State Bar Association, and the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
In 2016, Joshua married his wife—also an attorney—and together they are raising three beautiful children. He founded the Smith Law Office in 2017, where he continues to offer skilled, personalized, and results-driven legal representation to clients throughout the region.
Serving Rockford, IL & Beyond
We are a small firm that gives personal attention to each client we accept. Call or email us whenever you have a question and we’ll get right back to you. We listen to you and do everything possible to deliver what you need, based on your life and circumstances. When you work with Joshua, you are in charge. He gives you honest advice and helps you figure out the right legal strategy for you.
Why Choose Us Prosecutors in Rockford and surrounding communities often approach defendants with an offer to lower the charges or recommend a reduced sentence if the defendant agrees to plead guilty. It can be tempting to agree, but remember: the prosecutor isn’t on your side. Their job is to get guilty pleas and trial verdicts, not to give you advice that’s in your best interests.
Before making any deals with the prosecution, you need a defense lawyer’s help. Joshua can negotiate with prosecutors on your behalf and help you decide if an offer is reasonable, or if going to trial is the better option. We’re always prepared for trial, and prosecutors know Joshua’s skill in front of a judge and jury. Our reputation gives us leverage in settlement negotiations, which often leads to a much better outcome than our clients would have gotten on their own. We’ll never let you settle for a bad plea deal, because we’ll go to court instead.
