Drug Charges: Additional Resources

Illinois, like many states, has strict laws regulating the possession, use, and carrying of firearms. Understanding the most frequent gun charges is essential for residents and visitors alike to ensure compliance with the law. Navigating the complex landscape of gun charges in Illinois requires a thorough understanding of state laws and a commitment to responsible … Continue reading Most Frequent Gun Charges in Illinois

Do people with mental illnesses belong in jail? While the crimes they are accused of are often petty ones, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 2 million people with mental illness are booked into jails each year. The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) estimates that 16 percent of 48,000 individuals in the total DOC … Continue reading Why Our Criminal Justice System Discussions Must Include Mental Health

If some time has passed since you finished serving your sentence, you may wonder, “How can I get my criminal record sealed in Illinois?” A criminal record is created upon arrest. It doesn’t go away if you are released without charge or eventually found not guilty. These records may be seen by the public, including … Continue reading How Do I Get My Criminal Record Sealed in Illinois?

Our protection against unlawful arrests and unreasonable searches and seizures is one of the things that makes America great. It is a fundamental right that the founders wanted to safeguard after their experiences with the British during the American Revolution. Law enforcement must show a judge that a crime is being committed, or is about … Continue reading From Clues to Convictions: Unlocking the Power of Probable Cause

If you are facing arrest for a sex crime, you may be concerned about what happens. When arrested for a sex crime in Illinois, you begin the process that can eventually result in being found guilty of your charges or being released. Throughout this process, it is essential for you to have an experienced sex … Continue reading What Happens When Arrested for a Sex Crime?

Discussing the role consent plays in sex crime charges is important for a variety of reasons. Police, prosecutors, and defense attorneys often battle over the issue of consent, as it determines criminal culpability in the vast majority of sex crime cases in Illinois. The issue is also often critical during the different stages of the … Continue reading Discussing the Role Consent Plays in Sex Crime Charges

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?