DuPage County Homicide And Murder Attorney
An Experienced Woodridge Homicide Defense Attorney Can Help You Fight Your Charges.
The stakes are high if you are arrested for homicide, and you need a skilled, experienced Woodridge homicide defense attorney as soon as possible. If convicted, you face serious prison time and a mark on your record that will affect employment, personal, and other opportunities for the rest of your life. The attorneys at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. have years of experience advocating for people charged with serious crimes, and we are fully committed to fighting on your behalf. Call our homicide defense lawyer today at 630-305-0222 for a free consultation.
Why Choose Us?
Our attorneys at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. have extensive backgrounds and proven track records in fighting serious criminal charges. Marc D. Wolfe has represented clients in the greater Chicago area and other parts of Illinois for over 30 years. He has fought for clients all the way through verdicts more than 300 times for offenses such as homicide and other serious felonies.
Attorney Natalie M. Stec is an Illinois native with significant legal experience in several states. She has significant experience in both misdemeanor and felony cases, and she is a passionate litigator.
Fight your homicide charges with experienced attorneys by your side. Call Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. today at 630-305-0222.
A proven track record is critical when facing serious charges such as homicide. Our attorneys aren’t just experienced. They get results.
What Can Our Homicide Attorney Do for You?
A firm commitment to our clients defines Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. You will never be just a number to us. Each client is unique, and their circumstances are unique. We approach each case with the compassion and caring we would commit to a member of our families.
When fighting homicide charges, you don’t just need an attorney. You need a strong advocate. Your Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. homicide lawyer and their team will answer any questions you have, and we expect you to ask questions of us. We will become your partner in fighting charges from the minute you retain us.
Illinois Homicide Laws
Homicide means the killing of another, and there are several charges in Illinois that fall under that larger umbrella. The state generally recognizes several types of homicide. Some of those more commonly charged include:
- First-degree murder
- Second-degree murder
- Manslaughter
- Reckless homicide.
These charges are very serious, and you need a vigorous defense to fight them. If you are charged with one of these or another homicide or other serious criminal offense, call our experienced Woodridge homicide attorney immediately at 630-305-0222.
Why Is Intent So Important?
One of the keys to how you are eventually charged is whether the prosecutor feels that you intentionally killed another person. According to Illinois intent law, you must have had a conscious objective or purpose to engage in a homicide to have formed intent. Several defenses can show that you did not intend to kill the other person, and you need an experienced homicide lawyer to show that your charges are too harsh or that you shouldn’t be charged at all.
The most serious homicide charge is first-degree murder. If convicted, you face 20 years to life in prison. The state must show that you intended to kill the other person, knew there was a strong possibility of death, or that someone died while you committed another felony. A strong homicide defense attorney can argue that you did not intend to kill or that reasons, such as self-defense, led to your actions.
A committed, experienced homicide lawyer can help show that you did not intend to kill another person. Call for help today at 630-305-0222.
Without intent, your charges may be reduced to involuntary manslaughter. In this case, the state argues that you acted recklessly and should have known that there was a substantial risk that your actions could lead to the death of another. This could include things like recklessly firing a gun.
What Does the Prosecutor Have to Prove in Homicide Cases?
The elements the prosecutors have to prove depend on your specific homicide charges. First-degree murder with intent can be dropped to second-degree murder if your lawyer can show that your actions resulted from a sudden response instead of a plan. For example, there are circumstances under which you can protect yourself using deadly force. However, if the state can show that your force was not justified, you might still face second-degree murder charges.
To prove involuntary manslaughter, the state has to prove that you were reckless in your actions. They must show that you disregarded the risks and that someone died as a result. They will argue that a reasonable person would not have engaged in your actions.
The prosecutor has to prove more than that someone died in order to convict you of homicide in Illinois. They must show that each crime element, including factors such as intent or recklessness, was at play. You need an experienced Woodridge homicide attorney with thorough knowledge of the law to fight against the state’s claims. Call Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. today at 630-305-0222, so we can start investigating your case.
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Murder Defenses Offered by a Homicide Defense Lawyer
You need a well-investigated, effective defense to fight homicide charges. Our homicide lawyer will explore all possible options, such as:
- Justifiable use of force
- Self-defense
- Compulsion, necessity, or entrapment
- Incapacity or insanity
- Intoxicated or drugged state.
At Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., we understand that there are situations where you have no other choice but to use lethal force. We understand the legal system and know when to fight for lesser or no charges, when to take a plea bargain that will lessen the impact of your charges on your life, and when to go to trial and fight passionately in your defense.
Can a Woodridge Homicide Defense Attorney Get My Case Dismissed?
Prosecutors may overcharge homicide cases despite knowing they can’t make their case in court. This is often the case with first-degree murder charges, though it happens with other homicide charges as well. By charging you with the most serious crime, prosecutors hope you will plead guilty to lesser charges out of fear. In effect, they want a conviction without giving you a chance to defend yourself.
Your experienced, passionate homicide attorney at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. knows well the tactics prosecutors use to get people to plead guilty. We will investigate your case thoroughly and fight to get the charges dropped if you are innocent. When necessary, we will call the district attorney on their strong-arm tactics and argue vigorously for dismissing more serious charges that do not fit your actions.
Don’t talk to the police or a prosecutor about a homicide without a skilled, experienced criminal defense attorney. Request a free consult today at 630-305-0222.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some of the questions people facing charges ask our Woodridge homicide attorney.
Should I plead down to less serious charges?
You should never accept a plea deal unless on the advice of an attorney. Prosecutors sometimes make offers in cases they will have difficulty proving or when they are trying to scare you with threats of higher charges they can’t prove.
Will I have to go through a trial?
Our attorneys will do all they can to get your case dismissed before trial. We will also fight to get excessive charges dismissed. If it is in your best interests, we will help you get the best plea possible or fight vigorously in court if you go to trial.
Can I face homicide charges if I was defending myself or my family?
You can argue that your actions were in self-defense, but the state may choose to try to prove otherwise. They may charge you with manslaughter if they believe you weren’t justified or could have used less lethal force to escape your situation.
Can I get bail when I am facing homicide charges?
The decision to grant bail will depend partly on the seriousness of your homicide charges and whether the judge believes you will return to court. An experienced criminal defense attorney can argue for lower or no bail so you can go home while we prepare your case.
Can I use a public defender instead of a private attorney?
Public defenders are committed to their jobs but are overworked and do not have the resources private attorneys have. A private attorney can focus on your case instead of having to find time to build your defense.
Homicide charges are serious, and you deserve to have all the information you need to help your attorneys in your defense. At Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., we consider our relationships with our clients to be partnerships. We will ask you all the right questions to thoroughly investigate your case and answer your questions at any stage of the process.
Talk to an Experienced, Compassionate Woodridge Homicide Defense Attorney Today
Homicide charges can lead to severe consequences, and you shouldn’t even agree to talk to the police without first consulting an experienced, passionate Woodridge homicide defense attorney from our team at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. We will not stand by and let the police and prosecutor try to scare you into accepting an unfair plea deal or let them charge you with more serious homicide charges than your actions warrant. When necessary, we will vigorously defend you in court before a judge and jury. Call us today at 630-305-0222.
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