This is the next post in a series addressing handling FOID Card appeals in Peoria, Illinois. My previous post described the importance of having legal representation during the process of appealing an adverse FOID Card determination. Doing so can help you avoid costly mistakes that could impact the outcome of your case. In this post, I will discuss more specifically how an attorney can help you appeal the denial or revocation of your FOID Card. If you need assistance, contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.
It can seem overwhelming when one’s right to bear arms has been curtailed as a result of the denial of a FOID Card application or the revocation of a previously issued FOID Card. This is especially true if the denial has impacted a person’s current employment or opportunities for future employment. One may not understand the reason for the denial or how to respond to the decision. Perhaps the most important role of an attorney in this situation is to explain the eligibility requirements for obtaining a FOID Card and the process to appeal an adverse determination. It is essential to understand what to expect from the appeals process and how to respond quickly to minimize the interruption of the FOID Card denial on one’s life.
As previously discussed, there are a variety of factors that could impact one’s eligibility to receive or maintain a valid FOID Card. Depending on the facts of a specific case, the types of evidence required to support an appeal will be different. In all cases, however, the evidence must be objective evidence and must meet certain legal requirements to be considered by the ISP or by the court. An experienced lawyer will quickly review the facts and conduct any necessary investigations into the ruling to identify any evidence that may be required. The attorney can issue subpoenas for relevant documents, such as medical records, that may help your case. If the denial was based upon certain past criminal activity, the attorney will understand how that activity will impact the likelihood of successfully appealing. In specific circumstances, it may be possible for the attorney to handle criminal expungements that could result in the issuance of a FOID Card. Knowledge of the legal system, the rules of evidence and access to the tools available to assist you will be invaluable to your appeal.
If you need assistance appealing a FOID Card denial, contact my office today to speak to a Peoria appeals lawyer. My office also represents clients in Bloomington, Decatur, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington. We also serve the counties of Fulton, Knox, LaSalle, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford.