This article is being written to conclude and recap my series on Peoria, Illinois cases which involve an assault on a minor. I wrote on this issue as defendants are sometimes surprised to learn of the serious consequences that such charges carry. This lack of knowledge about the situation can lead to one possibly not taking the matter as seriously as they should. I wrote this series, therefore, to provide information that will help people to better understand their situation. It has also been my goal to provide information which will assist with the selection of an attorney.
I addressed multiple topics over the course of my recent articles. Subjects which I analyzed included the following:
- Handling Illinois aggravated assault charges involving a minor
- Illinois penalties for assaulting someone under the age of thirteen
- False claims of assaulting a minor
- Possible defenses in aggravated assault cases
I addressed these particular topics for multiple reasons. First, some are surprised to learn of how extreme the elevation of charges can be when the offense involves someone younger than thirteen. Such cases may result in Class X felony charges. Second, these types of cases can result in sentences of up to thirty years or more. Third, and unfortunately, it is not uncommon for these types of cases to involve fabricated claims. If that is the case, then it is important to take the matter seriously. Finally, understanding possible defenses in these types of cases is important to knowing what one should expect from the process.
A key point I made in each of these articles is that one should contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if they or a loved one have been arrested. Both law enforcement and the Court show little patience in these types of cases and the threat of a prison sentence is very real. I am a former prosecutor who is familiar with the workings of our local court system. If you have been charged with aggravated assault then contact my office today to speak with a Peoria lawyer.
We also serve clients in Bloomington, Decatur, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington and the counties of Fulton, Knox, LaSalle, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford. Additional areas where we handle federal cases include Benton, Chicago, East St. Louis, Springfield, and Urbana.