This article is being written to conclude and recap my series on the importance of retaining an attorney if you or a family member have been charged with a firearm-related offense. I considered it important to write on this topic as there are several levels of gun crimes and cases may be brought in either state of Federal Court. Understanding the various aspects of such charges can be important when one is selecting a criminal defense attorney to represent them. The goal of my recent articles was to provide information which will assist with the selection of counsel. If you or a family member require assistance then contact my office today to speak with a criminal defense lawyer.
I addressed multiple topics over my recent articles. Issues which I analyzed included the following:
- The handling of federal gun charges in the Central District of Illinois
- How such and seizure issues impact gun charges
- How the use of a gun can increase other criminal penalties
I chose to address these topics for multiple reasons. First, cases brought in Federal Court are charged pursuant to the US criminal code. Illinois state law does not apply in such matters. Given that not all attorneys are licensed to practice in Federal Court, it is important to choose counsel with experience in such matters. Second, firearm-related offenses sometimes hinge on the presence of search and seizure issues. Depending on the facts of the case, successfully bringing a Motion to Suppress may result in a dismissal of the charges. Finally, many other offenses can be elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony, or from a felony to a higher level felony, if a firearm is involved.
A key point I made in each of these articles is that one should retain an attorney as soon as possible if they have been charged with a crime. Both judges and the prosecution take firearm charges very seriously and it is crucial that you protect your rights throughout the process. As a former prosecutor who is devoted to protecting the rights of the accused, I am familiar with the handling of such matters. I believe that everyone is entitled to both aggressive representation and respect. Contact my firm online or by telephone today to speak with a Peoria gun crime lawyer. We look forward to speaking with you. 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.