Joslyn R. Sandifer

Professional Background

Attorney Joslyn Sandifer has a diverse legal background. She began her practice as a Volunteer Attorney for Land of Lincoln in East St. Louis, Il. While there, Attorney Sandifer focused on providing divorces to women who could not independently afford them. After several months of volunteering her services, Attorney Sandifer found employment as an Associate Attorney at Roth Evans, PC, in Granite City. As a junior associate Attorney Sanidfer’s focus was Civil plaintiff/defendant representation, workman’s compensation and family law.

In 2011, Attorney Sandifer became a prosecutor with the State’s Attorney’s Office of St. Clair County, IL. During her three (3) year tenure in that office, Joslyn worked in: Child Support, Traffic/ Misdemeanor (as Supervisor), Domestic Violence and Felony Divisions respectively.

Prior to Opening Sandifer & Associates, Attorney Sandifer worked as an Attorney with the Law Office of Evelyn Lewis, LLC. As an attorney in that office Joslyn honed and sharpened her trial advocacy skills and developed into a zealous criminal defense lawyer.

Joslyn is the proud wife of retired Army Sgt. Adam Sandifer and the mommy to three wonderful boys (Adam (Eli), Jr, Anthony and Aiden.

Practice and Areas of Focus

Joslyn is a skilled trial attorney and has experience with handling every aspect of Trial and Trial Preparation. Joslyn’s practice is heavily concentrated in Criminal Defense cases (both Federal and State). Joslyn believes in aggressive and enthusiastic defense of her clients and works to obtain the most favorable dispositions possible. Mrs. Sandifer strives to ensure that her clients understand the legal process and feel comfortable with asking her questions pertaining to the status of their cases.

Attorney Sandifer also practices in the areas of: Family/Domestic, Personal Injury and Child Support.

Community Service

Attorney Sandifer’s life goal is to pour out to the community that poured into her. Joslyn’s desire to serve her community does not end when she steps out of the courtroom. Joslyn frequently speaks in East St. Louis School District #189 to young women through its “Virtuous Woman” initiative and has participated as a mentor in the Diamonds in the Rough Program. Currently, Joslyn sits on several boards including (but not limited to) Children’s First and the Head Start Governance Board for the Southern District of Illinois. She is a member of JSU Alumni Association (National and Local); and The Metro East, Illinois and Missouri Bar Associations and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., (East St. Louis Alumnae Chapter). Joslyn also is a member of Power of Change Christian Church.

Board Memberships

• Children’s First Judicial Oversight Panel
• Head Start Governance Board for the Southern District of Illinois
• Unbutu Action Board

 

Philosophy

Joslyn has always had an interest in fairness and equity. She believes that there exists no better tool to positively influential change than through the legal system. It is with those interests and ideologies in mind that she and answered her true calling in Criminal Defense and general advocacy.

Education

Jackson State University, magnum cum laude (2005)
Mississippi College School of Law, Top 1/3% (2008)

Admittances

Illinois State Bar (2008)
Missouri  State Bar (2009)
Southern District Court of Illinois (2015)

Honors/Awards

Game Changer – Business, NAACP (2021)
Community Leader – United Congregations of Metro East, St. Clair County (2021)
Women Who Inspire – Deluxe Magazine (2019)

Panel Discussions/ Speaking Engagements

Police and the African American Community, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
The Conversation, Liberty & Justice
Manifesting Moves, Virtual Summit / CEO MOM
St. Louis University Law School Summer Program

Notable Dispositions

PERSONAL INJURY

• $200,000+ settlement (slip/fall)

CRIMINAL

• Acquittal – Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
• Successful Dismissal of Possession of Weapon by Felony Charges (multiple)
• Successful Motion to Suppress Evidence (Weapon)
• Successful Motion to Suppress Evidence (Drugs)
• Successful Negotiation of Probation (Involuntary Manslaughter)
• Successful Negotiation(s) of Diversion or Alternatives to Conviction on Felony Cases (Multiple)
• Successful Reduction of Robbery to Simple Theft (multiple)
• Successful Negotiation/ Removal of Firearm Enhancements (multiple)
• Successful Arguments for probation in Firearms cases (where shots were fire)
• Successful Arguments for probation in instances where State/Government requested prison time (multiple)

Firm Representation

Court Appointed Panel Attorney for the Federal Southern District of Illinois
Department of Children & Family Services