Illinois Attorney Charles Gideon McGuire Suspended After Violating Order of Protection, Improper Judge Contact

On Friday, September 19, 2025, the Supreme Court of Illinois suspended attorney Charles Gideon McGuire from practicing law for one year and until further order of the court. The suspension comes as a result of a petition filed by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) and was imposed with McGuire’s consent, pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 762(b).

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Charles Gideon McGuire,” with case no. M.R.032662.

McGuire faced an interim suspension by the Court on May 29, 2024, stemming from convictions for violating an order of protection and conditions of pretrial release. At the time of the Supreme Court’s order, McGuire was incarcerated at Graham Correctional Center. His projected parole date is August 18, 2026.

The ARDC’s petition detailed a series of incidents leading to the disciplinary action. Between June and September 2023, McGuire was charged with three counts of domestic battery and four counts of violating an order of protection, with his spouse as the victim. On October 2, 2023, he pleaded guilty to one count of domestic battery and two counts of violating an order of protection; the remaining charges were dismissed. He was sentenced to 15 days in jail (time served) and 24 months of probation, with conditions that included no contact with his spouse.

Further complicating matters, while in custody at the Williamson County Jail, McGuire contacted Williamson County Associate Judge Michelle M. Schafer on her personal cell phone without authorization or notice to the special prosecutor. During the call, he asked Judge Schafer to reduce his bond and release him from jail. Judge Schafer admonished McGuire for the inappropriate contact and terminated the call.

Subsequently, while on probation, McGuire again violated an order of protection by entering his spouse’s home and striking her. He was later charged with domestic battery and violating an order of protection. He also violated a condition of his pretrial release by having contact with his spouse at a local motel, leading to additional charges.

On March 5, 2024, McGuire pleaded guilty to violating an order of protection related to the incident at his spouse’s home. In exchange, the domestic battery charge was dismissed. He received a sentence of two years confinement in the Illinois Department of Corrections, followed by four years of mandatory supervised release. On the same day, he also pleaded guilty to violating conditions of pretrial release related to the motel incident, resulting in the dismissal of another charge of violating an order of protection. He was sentenced to 364 consecutive days in the Jackson County Jail, with 60 days credit, to run concurrently with his Department of Corrections sentence.

The ARDC argued that McGuire’s actions constituted seeking to influence a judge, communicating ex parte with a judge without authorization, engaging in conduct intended to disrupt a tribunal, and committing criminal acts that reflect adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer.

In mitigation, the ARDC acknowledged that McGuire had practiced law for over 11 years without prior discipline and had expressed remorse and accepted responsibility for his actions. However, the ARDC also cited as aggravation the pattern of misconduct and the commission of multiple criminal offenses within a short period, including while on probation. The ARDC referenced In re DeGrave, M.R. 30625, as a case involving comparable misconduct, where an attorney was suspended for one year and until further order of the Court for aggravated domestic battery.

The Disposition states:

“Petition by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission to impose discipline on consent pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 762(b). Allowed. Respondent Charles Gideon McGuire is suspended from the practice of law for one (1) year until further order of the Court.”

According to Avvo.com, Mr. McGuire is a banking attorney in Carbondale, Illinois. He attended the Southern Illinois University School of Law. He acquired his law license in Illinois in 2012.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.