DuPage County Felonies Attorney

If you have been accused of a serious crime, be aware that even an allegation of a felony offense can have a devastating effect on your reputation, livelihood and overall well being. If you are convicted, you could be faced with high fines and years of imprisonment, even for life, and all of this will be on your record.

If you are charged with a felony, you need the best defense available, as prosecutors will be fighting to impose the steepest of punishment. The seasoned Illinois criminal defense attorneys at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. have extensive experience handling felony offenses, including:

We know the court system and the judges, and we will work tirelessly to reach an outcome that is favorable to you. Our attorneys are thorough in the investigation process of a criminal case and make every effort to settle cases outside the courtroom. If an agreement cannot be reached, we are experienced trial lawyers and know how to defend you in court.

What Are Felony Crimes and Punishments in Illinois?

According to the Illinois’ Criminal Code, there are six classes of felonies, 1, 2, 3, 4, X & M. The circumstances of the crime determine the severity of the class. 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 more, and many offenses have mandatory minimum jail sentences.

For example, for drug possession, punishment depends on the type and amount of drug. A class 4 felony can be punished with imprisonment of 1-3 years and fines of up to $25,000.

Examples of class 4 felonies in Illinois include Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and possession of between 30.1 – 500.0 mg of marijuana.

A class 1 felony can be punished with imprisonment of 4-15 years and fines of up to $25,000. Examples of class 1 felonies in Illinois include kidnapping, sexual assault and possession of cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine.

People convicted of felonies are sentenced to state or federal prison. If a felony crime goes to federal court, the fines and time in prison for a conviction increase drastically.

Some federal crimes have a mandatory minimum sentence of five or ten years in federal prison, plus fines, and some sentences can even include life in prison, plus fines. For example, a class A felony can be punished with possible life imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000.

Federal drug laws have mandatory minimum and maximum sentences. If you’re convicted of a federal drug crime, you’ll most likely face a minimum sentence of five to ten years with little or no chance of probation.

Crime in Naperville

The crime rate in Naperville is lower than both the Illinois and the national average, and Naperville crime statistics report an overall downward trend in crime. Based on data from three years, violent crime and property crime are both decreasing. The crime rate in Naperville for 2016 is expected to be lower than in 2012.

Despite the statistics, what matters when you have been accused of a felony is the help you can get to fight the charges.

Put Your Trust In Us — Contact Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. for a Free Consultation.

When you are accused of a crime in Illinois, you need to hire the best criminal defense attorney you can find. Your case may seem impossible, but with skillful representation you have a chance. Remember, the law places a heavy burden on the government, and you must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The criminal defense lawyers at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. are skilled trial lawyers who believe each case is unique, with its own set of circumstances. Whether your criminal law case is seemingly straightforward or highly complicated, we can help. We know the judges and the court system and will aggressively and explore every avenue for your defense. We examine the facts, the individuals involved, and the evidence available, and work hand in hand with our clients throughout the criminal process. We explain all elements and processes of the case and come up with an effective defense strategy. Our goal is always to minimize the negative impact of the situation and to focus on protecting your freedoms, liberties and rights.

Don’t delay — contact us for help today at 630-305-0222 if you have been accused of any criminal charges. Our Illinois criminal defense lawyers represent clients in DuPage County, Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Downers Grove and Bolingbrook, Illinois, and the greater Chicagoland area. Your free initial consultation can be scheduled at our office.

Criminal Defense Articles

How Do I Answer a Complaint in Illinois?

24.06.2019 / Criminal Defense

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?
How Can I Minimize Public Record of My Arrest?

17.06.2019 / Criminal Defense

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?
Can you go to jail for self-defense?

10.06.2019 / Criminal Defense

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?
Is Battery a Felony in Illinois?

03.06.2019 / Criminal 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?
Is Aggravated Assault a Felony in Illinois?

28.05.2019 / Criminal Defense

Illinois law considers assault to be intentional conduct that reasonably causes a person to feel afraid of impending violence. Threatening to hit someone, when said in a menacing or angry manner and accompanied by conduct consistent with the threat, is an assault if the words and conduct cause victims to reasonably fear being injured in … Continue reading Is Aggravated Assault a Felony in Illinois?
What Is the Difference between First- and Second-Degree Manslaughter?

21.05.2019 / Criminal Defense

In Short: Voluntary and Involuntary. Murder charges generally involve an intentional killing; but if you kill someone but did not intend to do it, you might be accused of the crime of manslaughter instead. Manslaughter is defined as the unintentional killing of a person without lawful justification (720 ILCS 5/9-3.) Unlike the terms that are … Continue reading What Is the Difference between First- and Second-Degree Manslaughter?
What happens after your first DUI in Illinois?

20.05.2019 / Criminal Defense

Being arrested for a first-time DUI in Illinois is a frightening experience, and can leave you wondering what happens after your first DUI in Illinois? In short, you face both administrative and criminal penalties that may include jail time, up to $2,500 in fines, and license suspension. A first DUI is considered a Class A misdemeanor; … Continue reading What happens after your first DUI in Illinois?
If Marijuana is Legalized in Illinois, What Happens to Prior Convictions?

13.05.2019 / Criminal Defense

Illinois may soon join the growing number of states that are legalizing not only medical, but recreational marijuana. Once pot is legal, it raises the question as to what will happen to people who are currently incarcerated on cannabis-related charges and to those who have felony pot convictions. With cultivation, trafficking, sale, or possession of marijuana … Continue reading If Marijuana is Legalized in Illinois, What Happens to Prior Convictions?
What You Should Know About Illinois Drug Laws in 2019

06.05.2019 / Criminal Defense

Attitudes toward drugs are changing, so it is not surprising that Illinois has some new drug laws you should know about in 2019 and that additional reforms are being considered. Many people now believe that the “war on drugs,” which threw so many non-violent offenders into jail in recent years, has created more problems than … Continue reading What You Should Know About Illinois Drug Laws in 2019
The Jussie Smollett Case, Explained

29.04.2019 / Criminal Defense

Hate crimes are criminal offenses in Illinois, but so is falsely accusing others of a hate crime, as actor Jussie Smollett is alleged to have done. Smollett was charged by a grand jury with felony disorderly conduct for falsely reporting a hate crime. According to reports from the Chicago Sun-Times, his accusers say he staged the crime … Continue reading The Jussie Smollett Case, Explained

Recent Defense Results

After the police broke into our client’s house, we successfully suppressed the evidence and the case was subsequently dismissed.

Drugs, “Class X” Felony, Intent to Distribute

We have tried many aggravated battery and domestic batter cases. Our most recent success was our client was charged with attacking and stabbing the victim in their home. After conducting extensive discovery, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing all the factors contained in the case, we were able to get the cause dismissed.

Aggravated Domestic Battery

We handle numerous first and repeat DUIs and have excellent success in acquittals or reductions of charges with minimum impact for our clients. As members of the NACDL, we have numerous expert witnesses available to rebut the vast resources of the prosecution and receive favorable rulings.