
If you have been arrested for a criminal offense in Illinois, the Bolingbrook criminal defense lawyers at Wolfe & Stec can help you fight for your rights and freedom. Illinois punishments for crimes are severe, with felonies carrying potential sentences ranging from one year to life in prison, and misdemeanors from one month to one year in jail. If convicted, you may lose your job and your family; you may have to deal with fines, long-term supervision, restitution, drug treatment programs, and community service. In addition, you will have a criminal record that remains with you throughout your life and negatively affects your educational and career prospects, your family and social relationships, your housing situation, and any public or immigration benefits.
The stakes are too high to go it alone. You should immediately get the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Bolingbrook to protect your rights, make sure the criminal system is treating you correctly, and fight for your freedom and the justice you deserve.
Our Bolingbrook criminal lawyers offer a free consultation to discuss the circumstances that led to your arrest and find the best way to help. We know how the criminal system operates, the tactics prosecutors use, and how to plea bargain and present your case in front of a judge and jury. We will do everything legally possible to keep you out of jail, and, in many cases, we can find ways to have your charges reduced or dismissed.
The sooner we can start working for you, the better, so call us today at 630-305-0222 for your free, confidential case evaluation.
When you are accused of a crime, you are supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, but you are often treated as if you have been convicted, even before a trial. Once you call the Bolingbrook criminal defense lawyers at Wolfe & Stec, we will make sure you are given all your rights and are not intimidated by police and prosecutors.
We can help by:
Our attorneys can work with experts such as investigators or reconstruction specialists to examine the evidence prosecutors are using, to find flaws in their case against you. For example, there may be:
If you don’t know what your rights are, police and prosecutors can cause you to say and do something that can be used against you. When you hire our Bolingbrook criminal defense attorneys, we will make sure you know your rights so you can avoid making mistakes. These include:
The Bolingbrook criminal defense lawyers at Wolfe & Stec are aware that rights violations or improper procedures may be reason to have your case dismissed before it ever gets to trial, and we will look for any mistakes made by law enforcement or the prosecution. Call us at 630-305-0222 today.
The Illinois Criminal Code categorizes crimes as misdemeanors or felonies, with felonies being more serious and having greater penalties. There are different sub-categories or classes as well. What you are charged with depends on the individual circumstances of the crime, and there are factors that may increase a sentence, such as if you had prior convictions or if weapons were used.
Misdemeanors are considered less serious than felonies, but they are still serious offenses with harsh consequences. They go on your record, carry the potential of jail time, and may have negative effects on your life.
Misdemeanor criminal charges are broken into three classes. Examples of misdemeanors include:
Misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail, usually with no mandatory minimum jail time for most charges, and can bring fines of up to $2,500. There is an increased risk of jail for second or subsequent offenses.
Felony crimes are divided into five classes, based on seriousness and range from Class 1 through 4 felonies to Class X felonies. Class X felonies are the most severe, and Class 4 felonies are the least severe.
Examples of felonies in Illinois include:
Class 1-4 punishments may be as follows:
Some convictions may bring mandatory minimum jail sentences, and maximum jail sentences can exceed 30 years, which may result in a lifetime of imprisonment. Fines can be up to $25,000.
Our Wolfe & Stec Bolingbrook criminal defense attorneys are prepared to defend you against any of these charges. Our desired goal is dismissal of charges or a “not guilty” verdict. In situations where evidence makes plea bargaining the best course, we will seek to have your charge reduced to get you the lowest possible sentence.
The Illinois criminal process is complicated and confusing, but it is easier if you know what to expect and are fully prepared. Our Wolfe & Stec criminal defense attorneys in Bolingbrook will be there for each step of the criminal court process, including:
When you are accused of a crime in Illinois, the consequences can change your life forever, so it’s natural to be afraid and unsure of where to turn. Having a highly skilled Bolingbrook criminal defense lawyer on your side from the start can reduce your anxiety and the chances of your making a mistake. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can go to work to build your case while evidence is still available and witnesses can be found.
At Wolfe & Stec, our attorneys will make sure that no stone is left unturned in building your defense. We will work with you, answer your questions, and keep you informed about your case through every step of the process.
Call the Bolingbrook criminal defense lawyers at Wolfe & Stec today at 630-305-0222 for a free, confidential consultation so we can start fighting for your rights, your freedom, and your future.