Violent Crimes: Additional Resources

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?

When you are arrested and/or charged with a crime in Illinois, a criminal record is created, even if you are not found guilty. Your criminal records can be read by the public, your friends, your family, banks, employers, trade organizations, and credit agencies. If you want to have your record hidden or erased, you must … Continue reading How to Get an Expungement in Illinois

In Illinois, crimes are classified according to how serious they are.  Misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, which are broken down into five classifications, from most serious to least: Class X, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Class 4. Although a Class 4 felony is the least serious of all felony charges, it still … Continue reading What Is a Class 4 Felony in Illinois?

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?