Alleged crime of any kind deserves its day in court, and sex crimes are no different.
That’s why an experienced sex crimes attorney who advocates skillfully on behalf of his clients is your best choice.
- Have you been accused of a sex crime in Illinois?
- Are you under investigation for sexual abuse, obscenity or prostitution?
- Have you been wrongfully accused of a sexual assault, child pornography or rape?
When the stakes are high, an aggressive and fearless sex crimes attorney is your best advocate. With offices in Chicago and Woodridge, we serve clients in and near DuPage and Cook counties. For a free initial consultation about your case, contact Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., at (630) 305-0222.
There is no room for error when creating your defense. If you are found guilty–even of a lesser sexual offense–you will not only serve time, but will be listed on the Illinois sex offender register. Even after you finish your sentence, you may have difficulty finding employment and a place to live, because this crime will be on your record. Look for an attorney who is experienced, on time and skillful.
There is no room for error when creating your defense. If you are found guilty–even of a lesser sexual offense–you will not only serve time, but will be listed on the Illinois sex offender register. Even after you finish your sentence, you may have difficulty finding employment and a place to live, because this crime will be on your record. Look for an attorney who is experienced, on time and skillful.
Aggressive Sex Crimes Lawyers
The sex crimes attorneys at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., treat every client with respect. We investigate all cases thoroughly, because each is unique and has its own set of circumstances. Our attorneys look for every avenue of defense and will never plea bargain unless you decide to. We will tirelessly evaluate evidence, gather witness statements, look for proof of police misconduct or carelessness, and determine whether your rights were violated during the arrest.We Can Help
The sex crimes attorneys at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., have defended all kinds of people who have been charged with these crimes, including those who were mistakenly arrested or wrongfully accused. We know that sometimes innocent people are accused of criminal charges they did not commit. For a confidential first conversation about your case, contact our sex crimes defense lawyers at (630) 305-0222.Which Sex Crimes Does Your Firm Handle?
Our attorneys are prepared to defend you against all criminal sexual offense charges, including:- Criminal sexual abuse
- Aggravated criminal and criminal sexual assault
- Prostitution
- Pandering
- Obscenity
- Exploitation
- Juvenile prostitution
- Sexual relations with family
- Predatory criminal sexual assault of a child
- Criminal transmission of HIV
- Sex registration
- Statutory rape
Innocent Until Proven Guilty
Sex Charge Crimes
Rape and Sexual Assault
Sexual assault, or rape, is committed when an individual causes a penetrative sexual act against another person without their consent or ability to give consent. This includes sex with under-age minors (statutory rape), mentally disabled persons or a person who is unconscious, in addition to rape through force or threat of violence.Because sexual assault cases often include acts that occur between two people in private, it can be difficult to sort out the facts. Often there are conflicting accounts of the events and different interpretations of what took place.
Violation of Illinois sexual assault laws can result in four years to life in prison upon conviction, depending on specific details of the case and whether the defendant is a repeat offender.
Prostitution and Juvenile Prostitution
In Illinois it is a crime to exchange anything of value for sexual acts such as penetration or touching of sex organs to cause arousal. Specific charges in a case are determined by whether the defendant’s role is a buyer, seller or promoter. For example, the crime of “prostitution” applies only to the seller who knowingly performs and/or offers to perform a sex act in exchange for money or valuable goods. A buyer of prostitution in Illinois is charged with “patronizing a prostitute” or “solicitation.” Anyone promoting prostitution (i.e., “pimp”) in Illinois is defined as someone who arranges, compels or profits from prostitution.Obscenity and Pornography
In Illinois it is a crime to knowingly sell, deliver, create, buy or provide any picture, writing, record or other representation of obscene material. “Obscene” is defined as material or performances that an average person would find appeals to the prurient interest and depicts or describes ultimate sex acts or lewd exhibitions that lack serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value. The law also prohibits a person from performing an obscene act or exhibition of his or her body for gain. It is illegal in Illinois to present or direct an obscene play, dance or other performance and to advertise or promote the sale of anything related to obscenity.Sexual Relations with Family
The criminal charge of sexual relations within families is considered a Class 3 felony in Illinois. It refers to inappropriate sexual touching or sex acts between familial relatives. The degree of the crime depends on the specifics of the case, with higher degrees generally receiving harsher sentences.Criminal Transmission of HIV
People living with HIV can be prosecuted for engaging in unprotected sex without first disclosing their HIV status in Illinois. Engaging in condomless sex without telling a partner that you have HIV is a criminal offense. The law extends beyond engaging in sexual acts and also includes donating blood or other bodily products or transferring non-sterile drug paraphernalia. Transmission of disease is not required for prosecution. It is a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in prison and a $25,000 fine.Child Sexual Assault
Child sexual assault is a serious crime in Illinois, and state statutes lay out specific descriptions of what constitutes this crime. “Aggravated criminal sexual abuse” relates to child molestation, including:- sex with a minor child by a person 17 years of age or older
- sex with a child under nine years of age by a defendant who is under 17 years of age
- sex with an adolescent who is between 13 and 17 years old by a person who is at least five years older.
This is a Class 2 felony punishable by 3 to 7 years in prison. A person convicted of this crime must also register as a sex offender.
“Predatory criminal sexual assault of a child” relates to victims under the age of 13 where sexual contact or penetration has been committed. Additional elements like causing the victim bodily harm, using firearms or weapons, giving the child alcohol or drugs and repeat offenses increase sentencing. This crime is considered a Class X felony and is punishable by six years to life in prison and requires registration as a sex offender.
There is no statute of limitations on child sexual assault charges in Illinois. A previous 20-year statute of limitations was abolished in 2017. This was done so that victims can pursue treatment, find their voice and seek justice even if it is decades later.
Criminal Sexual Abuse vs. Criminal Sexual Assault
Criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault are two different crimes in Illinois, with different penalties. In some specific cases of sexual misconduct by someone under age 17, criminal sexual abuse can be a misdemeanor. Criminal sexual assault is always a felony. Criminal sexual assault, a more serious crime under Illinois statutes, generally refers to rape (penetration) where there was force or the threat of force, the victim could not give knowing consent or the victim was impaired and did not understand what was going on. It also refers to cases where a victim is between ages 13 and 18 and the accused holds a position of authority, seniority or trust.A Sex Crimes Charge Is Not a Conviction
Sex crimes in Illinois are serious business; but before you panic, remember that being charged with a sex crime is not the same as being convicted of a sex crime. There is a lot of distance between being arrested and being sentenced. You have the right to a fair trial and all the protections of the legal process. You have the chance to prove that you are not guilty by creating doubt about the voracity of the prosecutor’s account of events. A skilled attorney has represented many clients in these types of cases and knows the potential tactics of prosecutors. An experienced criminal lawyer for a sex offender can proactively formulate a defense strategy that combats a prosecutor’s claims.Wrong Place at the Wrong Time
Even if a sexual assault did happen, it could have been someone else who committed it. You may have been in a different room in a house and had no idea what was going on. Or you may have been riding in a car with someone who just committed an assault without your knowledge. Sometimes it’s just a matter of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Our sex offender attorneys understand that. We will tirelessly review police reports, witness statements and elements of the crime scene to determine whether you were mistakenly charged because you were just at the wrong place at the wrong time.Two Sides to Every Story
When it comes to sex crimes, we know there are two sides to every story. We listen closely to our clients to understand their version of events. We look for evidence of consent between adults. You do not have to be afraid to give a thorough description and explanation of what took place leading up to your arrest. We are compassionate and professional, and we are here to defend you.Our Sex Crimes Attorneys Are Here to Serve You
Client Reviews
How Will A Domestic Violence Charge Affect My Divorce And Child Custody?
April 2, 2020 / Family Law
It is a surprising reality that domestic abuse issues frequently arise in divorce and family law cases. All situations are unique and require the attention of a skilled attorney. Even after a restraining order or order of protection is up, there can still be legal issues that arise. It is of the utmost importance that … Continue reading How Will A Domestic Violence Charge Affect My Divorce And Child Custody?
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How Do I Answer a Complaint in Illinois?
June 24, 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?
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How Can I Minimize Public Record of My Arrest?
June 17, 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?
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Can you go to jail for self-defense?
June 10, 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?
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Is Battery a Felony in Illinois?
June 3, 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?
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Is Aggravated Assault a Felony in Illinois?
May 28, 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?
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What Is the Difference between First- and Second-Degree Manslaughter?
May 21, 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?
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What happens after your first DUI in Illinois?
May 20, 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?
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If Marijuana is Legalized in Illinois, What Happens to Prior Convictions?
May 13, 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?
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Incarceration Has an Enormous Impact on Parental Rights
May 9, 2019 / Child Custody
The United States imprisons more people than any other country, and many of those incarcerated are parents who wind up losing their children. According to the Marshall Project, more than half of the 2.2 million people in the nation’s prisons and jails are parents of minor children. The Marshall Project statistics show that between 2006 … Continue reading Incarceration Has an Enormous Impact on Parental Rights
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What You Should Know About Illinois Drug Laws in 2019
May 6, 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
