
People accused of a crime are often treated unfairly by their employers, communities, and even loved ones. When you face criminal charges, it feels like the deck is stacked against you, and you need someone on your side no matter what. Our team is proud to be on the side of our clients.
The criminal defense attorneys at Wolfe & Stec know how difficult life can be for someone facing criminal charges. More importantly, we know how to ensure you are treated fairly. We offer support and aggressive legal representation to our clients.
If you've been charged with a crime in Woodridge or in DuPage County, contact Wolfe & Stec at 630-305-0222.
When you are arrested for a crime, the full power of the state lines up against you. The police have decided you are guilty, and many prosecutors look to make a case against you rather than looking for the truth. At Wolfe & Stec, we start standing up for your rights from the moment you contact us.
Our dedicated Woodridge criminal defense attorneys understand the ins and outs of the judicial system and have thorough knowledge of the law. Along with their passion for helping people, they have the tools necessary to combat the charges against you.
Marc Wolfe has taken over 300 cases to verdict in his 30 years representing clients in the greater Chicago area and the state of Illinois. He has represented clients facing state and federal charges for very serious crimes. Attorney Natalie Stec shares Marc's passion for defending people accused of crimes. She is a dedicated, passionate litigator with significant criminal defense experience in misdemeanor and felony cases.
Our Woodridge criminal defense lawyers have helped clients facing dire consequences win in court. If you are facing criminal charges, count on the team at Wolfe & Stec to help protect your future. Call us today at 630-305-0222.
For our criminal defense attorneys, your case is much more than just the next file on their desks. We strive to partner with our clients by asking questions about their cases and life circumstances. Our criminal defense lawyers' compassion for other people drives them to take on the State when it brings charges against people who don't deserve to have their lives turned upside down.
We also want and encourage you and your family to ask questions of us. Facing criminal charges is frightening, and we want you to understand every part of the process. You deserve the peace of mind of knowing that your attorneys care about you as a person, because that's what drives them to fight so vigorously on your behalf.
"In today's society, people may be charged with crimes they did not commit. The process is being abused, and people are being bullied to do things they don't want to do in the face of pressure. I provide good solid representation to overcome this pressure." - Marc Wolfe.
A criminal conviction in Illinois means a criminal record that will be with you forever. It will negatively impact your educational and career aspirations, family relationships, housing situation, and any immigration benefits. Depending on the crime and your situation, you might face the following:
You can use a public defender if you qualify, but unfortunately, they often have no choice but to exceed the maximum recommended caseloads of 150 felony or 400 misdemeanor cases per attorney. Our attorneys have the time and resources to stand up to the pressure prosecutors bring toward quick plea bargains that aren't in your best interests.
You have the option to represent yourself, but making mistakes has dire consequences. Count on experienced criminal defense lawyers who meet court deadlines, complete paperwork properly, follow the court's rules, examine witnesses, and make arguments that help prevent ruining your life.
A strong Woodbridge criminal defense attorney knows Illinois law and judicial procedures inside and out. They understand how to judge the facts of your case and find and question witnesses that most benefit your defense. They are compassionate and project confidence to you and to the court.
The statute of limitations, or the time frame in which you must be charged for a crime, varies according to categories. For misdemeanors, it is 18 months, and for felonies three years. There are exceptions to these rules for some serious crimes, so you should consult our criminal defense attorneys to learn more about your specific situation.
A conviction on a felony charge usually carries a jail sentence of more than one year. For the most serious violent felonies, the sentences are significantly longer, and many carry mandatory minimum jail sentences.
Illinois has several classes of felonies, with severity depending on the circumstances. For example, punishment for drug possession depends on the type and amount of the drug. Class 4 felonies such as Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or possessing 30.1 to 500.0 gm of marijuana can lead to 1-3 years imprisonment and fines up to $25,000.
A class 1 felony, such as kidnapping, sexual assault, and possession of cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine can lead to imprisonment of 4-15 years and fines of up to $25,000.
People convicted of felonies are sentenced to state or federal prison, and certain felonies are punishable by death. In federal court, the fines and time in prison following conviction increase drastically. Class A felonies at the federal level can lead to possible life imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000.
Misdemeanor criminal charges have a maximum sentence of one year in jail or less, with no mandatory minimum jail time for most charges. They can include fines of up to $2,500. Misdemeanor convictions also affect your professional and personal life. For many misdemeanors, a second or subsequent offense increases the risk of a jail sentence.
Experienced criminal defense attorneys know the best way to handle misdemeanor charges is with the same aggressive approach as felonies. Having a misdemeanor on your record can present many challenges in life, and it is in your best interests to speak to a skilled, experienced attorney who will fight to reduce or eliminate the charges against you.
Don’t delay — contact us for help today at 630-305-0222 if you have been accused of any criminal charges. Our criminal defense lawyers represent clients in north central Illinois, and the Greater Chicagoland area. Your free initial consultation can be scheduled at our office.
Murder charges generally involve an intentional killing, but if you kill someone and did not intend to do it, you might be accused of the crime of manslaughter instead. If you have been charged with this crime, you must contact a qualified criminal defense attorney immediately to protect your rights. At Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., … Continue reading What Is the Difference Between First- and Second-Degree Manslaughter?
If you’re charged with a crime, you’ll want to know what aggravating factors for your potential sentence are. A statute may spell out a range of possible punishments, but some facts or issues can increase your sentence. Depending on the crime and the factor, your sentence could be substantially longer. If you are accused of … Continue reading What Are Aggravating Factors in a Criminal Case?
The charge of criminal trespass is taken seriously in Illinois, with punishments that could include fines and even imprisonment. There are many types of criminal trespass which are usually charged as misdemeanors, but the class increases depending on where and how the trespass allegedly took place. Under certain circumstances, criminal trespass will be charged as … Continue reading Illinois Criminal Trespassing Laws and Punishments
If you’ve served your time and feel a need to own a firearm, you may wonder, can a convicted felon own a gun legally in Illinois? With rare exceptions, probably not, even if the conviction is in another state or federal court. Gun ownership is a right that most of us may not even think … Continue reading Can a Convicted Felon Own a Gun in IL?
If time has passed since you finished serving your sentence, you may wonder, how do I get my criminal record sealed in Illinois? A criminal record is created if you’re arrested or charged with an offense. It doesn’t go away if you are released without charge or eventually found not guilty. These records may be … Continue reading How Do I Get My Criminal Record Sealed in Illinois?
Being accused of domestic violence is a serious situation. In Illinois, if convicted, you may face a criminal case in court and can be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony. Punishments include monetary fines and, quite often, jail time. Additionally, being convicted of domestic violence goes on your record and can affect you … Continue reading How Long Does Domestic Violence Stay on Your Record?
When you are arrested and/or charged with a crime in Illinois, a criminal record is created, even if you are not found guilty. Your criminal records can be read by the public, your friends, your family, banks, employers, trade organizations, and credit agencies. If you want to have your record hidden or erased, you must … Continue reading How To Get An Expungement In Illinois
When someone files a complaint against you in an Illinois court, you will be served with a summons that lets you know that a lawsuit has been brought against you and what you must do to respond. In the lawsuit, you are called the defendant or respondent. The filer of the complaint is called the … Continue reading How Do I Answer a Complaint in Illinois?
When someone is arrested, the arrest is recorded in a public record. This is called a public arrest record, which is a little bit different from a criminal record. Even if an individual is eventually found not guilty of the charges against him or her (and thus does not have a criminal record for it), … Continue reading How Can I Minimize Public Record of My Arrest?
Anyone who is attacked and in danger of being harmed has the right to defend himself, but there are still times when a person acting in self-defense winds up faced with the possibility of going to jail. While Illinois law allows you to take actions in self-defense, you must be able to prove that you … Continue reading Can you go to jail for self-defense?
Under Illinois law, battery occurs if you have physical contact with another individual with the intent to injure, provoke, or insult that person. Battery may consist of contact such as pushing another person, or intentionally causing bodily harm by hitting and injuring someone with an object. While a simple battery is usually charged as a … Continue reading Is Battery a Felony in Illinois?