DuPage County Felony Lawyer
A good criminal lawyer knows just how seriously felonies are treated in Illinois. They also know the best approach to have charges against their client lessened or dismissed.
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 are 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 punishments. 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 win cases in and out of the courtroom. If an agreement cannot be reached, we are experienced trial lawyers and know how to defend you in court.
Let us help you through this difficult time. Contact a felony lawyer in DuPage County by calling Wolfe & Stec at (630) 305-0222 or by filling out our online contact form. We offer free consultations to help you better understand the potential consequences of your felony charge.
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 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 and extended term sentencing.
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 and 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.
Imprisonment Times in Illinois by Class of Felony
Felonies could result in anywhere from one to 60 years’ imprisonment, depending on the class of felony. Here is the breakdown of imprisonment times according to class:
- Class X Felonies in Illinois – 6 to 30 years’ imprisonment
- Class M Felonies in Illinois – 20 to 60 years’ imprisonment
- Class 1 Felonies in Illinois – 4 to 15 years’ imprisonment
- Class 2 Felonies in Illinois – 3 to 7 years’ imprisonment
- Class 3 Felonies in Illinois – 2 to 5 years’ imprisonment
- Class 4 Felonies in Illinois – 1 to 3 years’ imprisonment.
In addition to time served in prison, each of these classes of felonies might also result in fines or additional penalties. These charges have very serious implications for the accused if they are ultimately convicted. If you’ve been charged with a felony in Illinois, call an Illinois felony lawyer at Wolfe & Stec today to put us to work on your case.
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 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.
How Attorneys Seek to Have Felony Charges Lessened or Dismissed
Your felony attorney will first look at how closely the authorities followed the rules when arresting and charging you with a crime. If there were any abuses of your rights, your attorney will seek to have the charges against you dismissed. Your attorney will also do as much as possible in pre-trial negotiations to have charges against you lessened or dismissed.
In many cases, attorneys lessen charges by plea bargaining. Through a plea bargain, the person accused of a crime agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for having the more serious charges against them dropped. This is a common practice in our criminal justice system, but you need to make sure your attorney works diligently to arrive at the most favorable deal for you.
At Wolfe & Stec, we work in the best interests of our clients. We will do everything possible to achieve the most favorable outcome for you and your loved one. Contact our felony defense lawyers today by calling (630) 305-0222 or filling out our online contact form.
A Criminal Background Has Many Negative Consequences
Felony charges come with prison sentences, fines and other legal penalties, but there are other consequences that felons could encounter after they have served their time. A criminal background makes finding a good job very difficult. Housing options might be limited. Getting a loan is more difficult for people with a criminal record. College applications might be denied if the applicant has been convicted of a felony.
In other words, convicted felons face many challenges in life. The best course of action for someone facing criminal charges in Illinois is to contact a felony defense attorney as soon as possible, so they can get to work on their defense.
What to Look for in a Felony Lawyer
Because felony charges carry such serious penalties, it is very important that you look for an attorney who has handled felony cases before. There is a steep learning curve for attorneys that have never represented clients charged with felonies, so the more experience your attorney has, the better. Of course, you also want to know that your attorney has achieved results for clients.
When considering hiring a felony defense attorney, contact the attorney and speak to them about their track record. You will also be placing a great deal of trust in your felony attorney to put the necessary time and effort into your case, so you should feel comfortable with your lawyer. Know that simply speaking to an attorney does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Feel free to speak to several attorneys before deciding who you will hire.
At Wolfe & Stec, we are ready to tell you how we can help. Our track record shows that we make a difference for our clients, but we know that your case is unique. We encourage you to contact our felony lawyers in DuPage County by calling (630) 305-0222 or filling out our online contact form today.
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 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 felony attorneys represent clients in DuPage County, Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Downers Grove and Bolingbrook, Illinois, and the greater Chicagoland area.
