Gun violence is regularly in the news and this is especially true in Illinois. Many people may have strong feeling about the Second Amendment or the right to bear arms but the fact of the matter is that gun laws are strict and heavily enforced. Being convicted of a firearm related offense will typically result in incarceration, fines, a permanent criminal record, and loss of the ability to bear arms. If you have been arrested then you should contact a lawyer immediately. I am a Peoria criminal defense attorney who assists those facing gun related charges. Contact my office to schedule an initial consultation.
Peoria criminal defense lawyer handling cases which involve a gun
Those who commit a crime with a gun will typically be charged with a felony. Cases which involve guns often include violent crimes such as robbery, drug-related offenses, etc. If the defendant has a previous felony conviction then they will be charged as being a felon in possession of a firearm. It is crucial that you contact an attorney if you find yourself charged with any of the following:
- Aggravated discharge of a firearm
- Reckless discharge of a firearm
- Unlawful use of a firearm
- Possessing a stolen or unregistered gun
- Illegally carrying a concealed weapon
- Probation violations due to guns
The nature of the charges will determine whether your case goes forward in Illinois or Federal Court.
The first step in a felony matter will be for the defendant to enter a “guilty” or “not guilty” plea. The case will then be set for trial. Many firearm-related offenses hinge on issues such as a mistaken eyewitness identification, the weapon being illegally seized by police, or whether the situation was a matter of self-defense. These types of cases often provide opportunities for defense counsel to request the exclusion of incriminating evidence from Court proceedings due to law enforcement’s violations of the defendant’s rights. At trial a jury will decide guilt and the Judge will pass down a sentence in the event of a conviction.
I am a Peoria criminal defense lawyer defending cases involving guns. One retained, I will immediately obtain arrest reports, witness statements, and other evidence of what happened. I will conduct a full investigation and file requests to exclude illegally seized evidence or improper eyewitness identifications. As an attorney, I will aggressively question law enforcement at any evidentiary hearings and will ensure that your case is prepared for trial. Your rights will be protected throughout the process. I understand that you are facing a serious situation. I will take it seriously. Contact my firm today.
In addition to Peoria, I service the cities of Bloomington, 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. I also handle federal cases in Urbana.
Defense attorney offering effective representation to Peoria gun crime defendants
If you are charged with a gun crime then you are facing serious charges. You need effective representation. I am a former prosecutor with over twenty years of legal experience and I am familiar with the local legal system. I will stay in regular communication with you. This includes promptly returning phone calls, quickly responding to emails, and often giving out my cell phone number. My firm was founded on the idea that everyone is entitled to respect and this is my promise in each and every case I handle.