DuPage County Gun Crime Lawyer

ILLINOIS GUN LAWS ARE AMONG THE STRICTEST IN THE COUNTRY

Knowledge is power, and comprehending what you are and are not allowed to do regarding gun purchases and ownership is essential. Illinois law prohibits any person from:

Knowingly purchasing or attempting to purchase a firearm with the intent to deliver it to a person prohibited from possessing one
Intentionally providing false or misleading information on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives transaction record to purchase or attempt to purchase a firearm
Forging or materially altering a Firearm Owner’s Identification (“FOID”) card, as well as knowingly possessing a forged or altered FOID card with intent to use it to purchase firearms and ammunition
Knowingly or intentionally altering, changing, removing, or obliterating the importer or manufacturer’s serial number on any firearm or possessing such a weapon
Delivering a firearm while not being entitled to its possession, knowing it to have been stolen or converted.

If you are charged with violating any part of the law, as listed above, engaging an experienced DuPage County gun crimes lawyer should be your first course of action. The team at Wolfe & Stec is ready to go to work for you; don’t hesitate to contact us.

What Are Punishments for Gun Violations?

Because of the seriousness with which the state views gun crimes, punishments for violation are severe and can be life-changing. The crime with which you are charged determines the level of punishment applied. In Illinois, gun violation punishments are classified as follows:

Class A misdemeanor: conviction results in less than one year in jail plus up to $2,500 in fines for a minimal violation of legal gun possession.

Class 4 felony: usually means a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years and up to $25,000 in fines. There is a minimum of one year of parole after any prison term. Class 4 felonies are:

Carrying or possessing any firearm anywhere that is licensed to sell intoxicating beverages

Taking a firearm to a public or government place where admission is charged

Carrying or possessing a weapon in your vehicle or on your person while hiding your identity.

Class 3 felony: 2 to 5 years in prison, up to $25,000 in fines, and a minimum of one year of parole. Class 3 felonies include:

Possessing a gun silencer

Selling, manufacturing, purchasing, possessing, or carrying certain explosives and guns such as long rifles or machine guns.

Class 2 felony: possible 3- to 7-year prison term and a fine of $25,000. The minimum parole is two years. Class 3 could be raised to a Class 2 felony if you are a repeat offender or commit offenses at a school or public park.

Class 1 felony: means 4 to 15 years in prison on top of up to $25,000 in fines and at least two years’ parole.

Class X felony: no chance of getting probation if convicted of this. Sentencing is usually anywhere from 6 to 30 years in prison, up to $25,000 in fines, and a minimum parole of 3 years.

Class 1 or Class X felony: for aggravated firearm discharge, including discharging at or into an occupied building or vehicle or knowingly shooting at an official.

Don’t make the mistake of believing that your misdemeanor charge is not serious.

All gun crime charges can have serious repercussions.

Handling your case by yourself is a mistake. Always contact an experienced gun crimes lawyer as quickly as possible.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A HANDGUN LICENSE: OBTAINING A FOID CARD

In Illinois, you must obtain a handgun license and a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card to purchase and possess a gun. In 2013, Illinois became the last state to legalize the possession and concealed carry of a firearm outside the home and enacted a law, 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 66/1 et seq., permitting people to carry concealed weapons with a license. To obtain a concealed carry license, you must have a (FOID) card or qualify for one and be in the process of applying for one.

Illinois does not recognize concealed carry licenses from other states. Even if you are licensed to carry concealed weapons, you still are prohibited from doing so while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Why Choose Us?

Gun Crimes are severe offenses, and you could face lengthy prison sentences if a jury convicts you. A skilled gun lawyer must ensure that your rights are respected and nothing is left to chance. Your freedom is at stake, and you want an attorney with experience handling these cases, one who will stand up and fight for you.

The attorneys at Wolfe & Stec have decades of experience working with gun crime cases. You will work with a knowledgeable DuPage County gun lawyer with the resources, experience, and expertise to make a difference. Our team will review the evidence, interview witnesses, and investigate all leads to strengthen your case.

You receive numerous benefits working with our experienced gun crimes attorney, including:

Focused gun crime defenses
Over 20 years of legal experience in Illinois
Knowledge and connections with the court systems, including relationships with judges, attorneys, paralegals, and law enforcement
Aggressive defense litigation services to investigate and review all evidence. Our team leaves nothing to chance, and we pursue every lead.
Attention to detail
Personalized attention and hands-on service
Effective and empathetic communication
Proven track record for success with gun crime cases
Effective negotiations that produce results.

These are some ways the gun crimes attorneys at Wolfe & Stec can help you. You will work with a team of professionals who aggressively handle your case, who are not afraid to stand up and fight for you. You have rights, and we can help you deal with the stress you face from gun crimes. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with a skilled gun crime lawyer.

How We Can Help

Guns crimes require a gun crime attorney’s knowledge, skill, and experience. Your freedom is at stake, and if you go to trial, you could be looking at a lengthy prison sentence. You never want to take risks by having just any attorney working on your case. Gun crimes laws are complex, and there are differences between local, state, and federal statutes.

Things become challenging when the prosecuting attorneys are in no mood to make a deal and we must go to trial. Times like these are when you need an attorney that knows gun cases and the parties involved, who is ready to help you every step of the way.

Your odds of a better outcome are increased when you work with a gun attorney. The law states that you must be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Our team identifies areas where we can raise this doubt and use it as leverage to get a better outcome for you. The prosecuting attorneys know this and are unwilling to spend the time and money on a lengthy trial. Speedy justice is their concern; they will likely give you a reduced sentence or dismiss the charges.

A skilled gun attorney makes a difference in these cases because of our knowledge, experience, resources, and connections. These factors are critical in creating the best outcome for your case.

We recommend speaking to a DuPage County gun lawyer immediately if you are charged with or being investigated for gun crimes. You have rights; we will stand up for them and ensure they are respected. Contact us now to schedule a consultation with a gun attorney. Everything we discuss is confidential, and you will get practical solutions for proceeding with your case.

Attorney Natalie Stec

Natalie M. Stec, born and raised in Illinois, and earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her practice has been concentrated in significant pre and post decree marital and family law cases; including custody, visitation, support, and paternity matters. She has important criminal defense experience in both misdemeanor and felony cases. She is a very dedicated and passionate litigator. [ Attorney Bio ]

Attorney Marc Wolfe

Marc Wolfe has been representing clients in criminal matters in Chicago and the entire State of Illinois for over 30 years. Mr. Wolfe has tried over 300 cases to verdict and represents clients facing investigation or prosecution for a broad range of state and federal criminal offenses, including murder, embezzlement, sexual abuse, drugs, marijuana and white collar crimes. [ Attorney Bio ]

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