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Being charged with a crime is no laughing matter. If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, it is paramount that you have expert legal representation. Whether it’s a state or federal crime, the best criminal defense lawyer can help you mount an aggressive defense to go against prosecutors and their seemingly limitless resources.
All states regulate the manufacture, possession, distribution, and trafficking of controlled substances with strict state and federal laws governing their regulation. In the state of Illinois, under the state’s Controlled Substances Act, substances like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine are prohibited, including the compounds used to manufacture them as well as other drugs like marijuana.
Whether you’re charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, the charge can have serious implications in your life. You can face stiff penalties such as a hefty fine and considerable jail time, depending on the substance.
Drug Possession. Possession of Schedule 1 drugs can almost guarantee that you are charged with a class 1 felony possession, which is punishable by jail time of up to 50 years and a fine of up to $200,000 or more, depending on the amount and street value of the substance recovered. Schedule 1 drugs include:
Possession of Schedule 3 drugs and below is classified as a class C misdemeanor and is punishable by jail of up to 30 days and a fine of up to $1,500.
Drug Possession with Intent to Deliver. Under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute is illegal and is punishable by up to 60 years of jail time and a fine of up to $500,000 or more, depending on the amount and street value.
Drug Manufacturing. The manufacture of controlled substances outside of their personal use or their professional practice is illegal under the Control Substances Act, which may get you charged with a Class 4 felony or a federal drug manufacturing charge.
If you find yourself charged with any of the drug offenses above, it is of the utmost importance that you give our drug defense attorneys a call right away. We are committed to helping those that are facing serious penalties that arise from drummed up charges and false accusations. We will mount a vigorous defense and will not rest until you or your loved one can move forward knowing that their rights as a citizen has been protected.
Charges of sex crimes are a serious matter and should be dealt with immediately. Crimes of this nature can tarnish your reputation and may cost you your job, family, marriage, and good standing within the community. Worse, sexual offenses are prosecuted aggressively, with those charged with sex crimes almost always presumed guilty even with the absence of proof. Some of the sex crime cases that we handle include:
Sexual Assault (Criminal Sexual Abuse/Assault of a Child). Sexual assault can be interpreted in many ways but usually involves the use of threat or force, the lack of or inability to give consent, and/or the involvement of a minor under the age of 17. A first conviction is charged with a class 1 felony, which is punishable by 4 to 15 years of mandatory jail time.
Statutory Rape. The age of consent in the state of Illinois is 17. Anyone under the age of 17, in the eyes of the law, is unable to give legal consent for sexual relations. Those caught having sexual relations with someone under the age of consent, especially those occupying a position of higher power, is guilty of committing statutory rape, which is punished with considerable jailtime and having to register as a sex offender.
Possession and/or Distribution of Child Pornography. Any images depicting or involving a child under the age of 18 is illegal under Illinois state law. This includes pictures, videos, or films of children performing different sex acts.
Child Molestation (Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault). Any person over the age of 17 committing sexual acts towards anyone under the age of 13 is considered a class X felony, which is punishable by 6 years to life imprisonment and registering as a sex offender.
Solicitation of a Minor. Soliciting sex acts from anyone under the age of 17 is a class 4 felony but can easily be classified as class 1 to 3 depending on the nature of the abuse.
Sex Offender Registration Violations. Anyone charges with a sex offense is required by law to register as a sex offender as defined in 730 ILCS 150/2 (B) within 3 days of sentencing and after a change of residence. Registered sex offenders are also required to register at the local police department when staying at any location away from their residence longer than 3 days. Failure to comply with the requirements is a class 3 felony and is punishable by 2 to 5 years of jail time for a first offense. It escalates to a class 2 felony for a second violation and is punishable by 3 to 7 years in jail.
Being charged with sex crimes, even mere allegations, can have serious consequences on your reputation. At Venditti Law Group, we fight tirelessly to protect your rights, reputation, and freedom. Any allegations against you are treated as mere allegations so we can prepare a sound strategy to fight off these allegations against you or your loved ones.
The state of Illinois strictly enforces its DUI laws, which have stringent penalties for various DUI cases. Although first time offenses are almost always treated as misdemeanors, you may still be charged with a felony for certain cases.
These include cases involving an accident, a hit-and-run, a prior felony conviction, or in cases where a DUI is charged while license is still suspended or revoked. In these cases, you will not only end up paying hefty fines and/or lose your license. You may also serve considerable jail time.
If you find yourself faced with any of the following cases, it is of utmost importance that you seek legal counsel immediately. Your criminal defense lawyer can help you create a sound defense strategy to avoid conviction.
The state of Illinois is home to one of the country’s strictest gun laws. Its strict gun control laws impose extensive guidelines with regards to the sale and use of firearms and prohibits the sale and possession of certain weapons. Along with these strict regulations are severe sentences for weapons and gun convictions, especially with defendants with prior convictions and/or have committed other criminal offenses such as robbery, home invasion, or drug possession.
As part of the Venditti Law Group commitment, our top criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to protecting your rights and freedom when you face gun-related charges under Chapter 720 of the Illinois book of statutes. Our expertise in this field include:
Unlawful Use of a Weapon/Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The sale, manufacture, purchase, or possession of deadly weapons is prohibited under Section 5/24-1. Persons caught carrying a gun without a Conceal and Carry permit are charged with a UUW, which is punishable by considerable jail time.
Illegal Possession of a Firearm and/or Ammunition. High-powered firearms and special ammunitions are illegal to own in Illinois. Possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition are two separate charges that carry separate sentences.
Unlawful Discharge of a Weapon. Carrying a gun in a manner that puts lives at risk, reckless or indiscriminate firing, or even simply carrying a loaded gun, is charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon and is a felony that is punishable by an extended stint in jail.
Possession of a Weapon in the Commission of a Crime. In cases where an illegal firearm is used in the commission of a crime, two separate charges are made, which could mean extended mandatory jail time.
Possession of a Firearm Without a FOID Card. Depending on the specific circumstances, carrying a firearm without a FOID card can be penalized with a simple petty offense to a class 1 felony.
The state of Illinois takes gun charges very seriously and are prosecuted aggressively. If you are charged with illegal possession of a firearm or any gun-related crime, it is of the utmost importance that you give our Chicago defense lawyers right away to ensure your rights are well-protected. The more time that we have, the higher are our chances to mount a more aggressive defense to protect your freedom or gain a more favorable result.
The Venditti Law Group remains strong to its commitment to provide equal access to fair, competent legal representation for all. We represent just about anyone that is facing a wide range of criminal charges – anything from misdemeanors to major felonies. No matter the case, whether it’s a simple misdemeanor or a major felony, the stakes are equally high. These cases can affect your personal life, family, reputation, career, finances, and even your freedom.
Violent crimes have very severe implications with even stiffer penalties imposed due to the severity of the cases involved. However, this does not mean your basic human rights are forfeited. If you or a loved one are facing charges for crimes of this nature, call us immediately. We will help you review evidence, develop a course of action, and develop a vigorous defense to get a more favorable outcome.
When you are charged for one of the following violent crimes, give us a call:
In Illinois State Law, anyone accused of a crime is treated a juvenile based on two factors: the age of the defendant at the time of the offense and the type of offense committed. Basically, the defendant can be tried as a juvenile if:
But there is a fine line between juvenile delinquency and adult criminal activity. There have been many cases where a juvenile, regardless of the offense committed, was tried as an adult and was sent to adult prison. When this happens to your child, it could have serious repercussions on your child’s future.
At Venditti Law Group, we place high value on your child’s future. Even when your child is not charged as an adult, the consequences of a juvenile delinquency on their record can be quite severe. If your child finds himself/herself in conflict with the law, call our criminal defense attorneys to make sure we take the next best course of action.
Our Chicago defense lawyers are well-equipped and have had considerable experience with countless juvenile cases. We are prepared to obtain the best possible outcome for you and your loved ones. Some of the juvenile offenses we specialize in include:
Criminal defense attorneys are well-versed in criminal law. They have a great understanding of the criminal justice system, which will be helpful in navigating the ins and outs of your case. Their vast experience in handling cases like yours can help them create a better strategy to help with your case. Additionally, their vast experience in criminal law has helped them build relationships with prosecutors. This relationship may allow them to negotiate with the prosecuting attorney and help gain a more favorable outcome such as a reduced sentence or even dropping the case altogether.
The cost for hiring a criminal defense attorney depends on two main factors, namely: the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s reputation, skill level, and amount of experience. As a case gets more complex, the amount of time needed for research and investigation increases with it. This means more work is put into studying all the details of the case, investigating any leads, and interviewing possible witnesses that can help with the case. Meanwhile, the rate of the attorney handling the case also determines the entire cost. Highly-reputed attorneys tend to charge more due to their higher skill level and considerable experience in handling a case.
There are two general qualities that you need to look for when hiring a criminal defense lawyer. They must have significant experience in criminal law and must have spent a considerable amount of time in the local courts. This is helpful knowing that through the years of navigating the local courts, they have built significant relationships that may be helpful in gaining a more favorable outcome. That is why it is always a good option to opt for a local law firm that is highly reputed and have had a vast experience in handling criminal cases.
In the course of doing due diligence for a case, a criminal defense attorney may contact the victim to obtain a first-hand account of the incident, verify the police report and all the details of the case, and clear up some blurry details of the event. This is legal. However, there are several guidelines that a defense attorney must observe before talking to the victim. The victim may opt not to talk to the defense attorney. They may also oblige to the talk but only in the presence of the prosecutor/their lawyer. The talk must also be recorded to be clear from allegations of tampering.
Any drug-related crime is almost always a felony, which is punishable by 4 to 15 years in prison, even if it is the first time. But in the state of Illinois, first time drug offenders can get off with 24 months probation, which is called a 410 probation. However, different conditions need to be met for 410 probation, namely:
For a drug possession charge to be dismissed, the defense must be able to prove a few details. First, were the drugs in question found through an illegal search? Illegal acquisition of evidence is a violation of the defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights. Any evidence obtained illegally is inadmissible in court. Second, did the defendant have full knowledge of the presence of illegal drugs? The knowledge of the existence of illegal drugs within the premises is difficult to prove beyond reasonable doubt. Lastly, is there sufficient proof that the substance in question is indeed illegal narcotics? In some cases, alleged drugs found in possession turn out to be something else. But when all else fails, the defendant can also submit to 410 probation to have the drug case dismissed.
The penalty for a possession charge will vary depending on the amount of drugs found, the identity of the substance in question, and the existence of prior convictions. But generally speaking, possession of a controlled substance is a class 1 felony and is punishable by a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment anywhere between 4 to 50 years.
A sex offender is someone guilty of having committed a sex crime, the definition of which can differ from state to state. In the state of Illinois, sex crimes that can make you a sex offender fall under several categories, which include:
A violent sex crime differs from a common sex crime when there is violence or grave coercion involved. This means obtaining sexual favors by causing physical harm, threatening to do physical harm, or threatening to end someone’s life. Rape and sexual assault are two prime examples that illustrate this term quite clearly.
A registered sex offender is someone that has been found guilty of committing sex crimes. Sex offenders are required by law to register in a national database of sex offenders. As part of the registration process, you are required to submit your name, known aliases, current address, offense(s), a recent photograph, as well as other basic information such as date of birth and physical description, among others. This database is not available to the public. Instead, it can be used by law enforcement units to keep track of your whereabouts at all times.
The state of Illinois is home to some of the country’s strictest gun laws. Unless you have a Firearm owner’s identification card (FOID), you are not permitted to possess or carry a gun. Additionally, state gun laws in Illinois prohibit the purchase of firearms without a permit and with the intent of delivering the said firearm to someone that’s prohibited from possession. Other common gun charges under Illinois state law include:
The amount of jail time you can get for owning a gun varies depending on the nature of the case. Minor cases such as illegal possession of a handgun can be charged with a misdemeanor, which can get you a minimum of 1 year in jail. More serious cases, such as the use of a firearm in the commission of a crime can get you 5 years to life. Possession of higher caliber weapons such as a machine gun or a firearm with a silencer is 30 years to life.
Gun charges are quite serious and are dealt with quite strictly. That is why most gun charges carry mandatory jail sentences that must be served. However, there are some cases wherein probation is granted for a gun charge, although that will depend on a variety of factors, such as your criminal history, the facts of the case, and your lawyer’s skill level in getting you a plea bargain.
Although some gun possession cases almost always get charged with a misdemeanor, most gun cases are charged with a felony, which could mean incarceration for an extended period of time.
Violent crimes are cases that involve the use of violence or the threat of violence against a victim. Crimes of this nature are also known in the state as crimes against persons. These include homicides, sexual assault, assault and battery, and robbery.
Strong arm robbery is a type of crime that does not really involve a weapon and a threat of force, actual violence, or intimidation, in order to gain something of monetary value, such as actual money or jewelry. It can also be defined as a robbery that involves other types of weapons such as a baseball bat, a chain, or a hammer. It is considered a felony, which is punishable by a prison sentence of up to 20 years, hefty fines, and the loss of gun ownership privileges.
Armed robbery and strong arm robbery are both types of larceny wherein a threat of violence is issued to a person in charge to obtain monetary compensation. In the case of an armed robbery, the threat is issued while carrying a firearm, such as a pistol, shotgun, or rifle, whereas no weapons are involved in strong armed robbery.
In robbery cases, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. They must be able to prove that the defendant has indeed committed the crime beyond reasonable doubt. This means the prosecution must be able to present considerable evidence to prove the defendant’s guilt.
Assault and battery are two fundamentally different crimes. Assault involves threats and intent to inflict bodily harm on another, even in the absence of physical contact. Battery, on the other hand, involves actually inflicting bodily harm on someone, even if there was no intent to do so. A charge involving both cases means threats were issued that were followed up with actual infliction of harm. These are usually separate penalties for each crime, which depend on the severity of the injuries actually inflicted. Penalties can range from jail time of less than a year to imprisonment of up to 20 years.
In assault cases, the case is usually brought by the state, giving the state full control over the case. The prosecutor then decides whether to move forward with the case or drop the charges altogether, which means the victim has no power to drop charges.
A juvenile lawyer is essentially a criminal defense attorney that has experience in juvenile law, a special body of law dedicated to minors. A juvenile lawyer’s aim is to represent minors who have committed infractions in order to gain a more favorable ruling and secure that child’s future.
Juvenile court is a special court dedicated to minors in order to avoid being tried in adult court. Those convicted of an offense in juvenile court are required to spend some time inside a juvenile correctional facility instead of an actual jail. These facilities focus more on counseling, service, and rehabilitation instead of serving as a form of punishment in order to help the kids correct their path. Court proceedings within the juvenile court are also more confidential with records not made available to the public.
Juvenile rights refer to the constitutional rights of minors. These rights are far less than those given to adults due to the fact that juvenile courts are less punitive, which means consequences are far less severe than normal courts. These juvenile rights include:
As seen in the Chicago Tribune
If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, whether it be a serious felony or a simple traffic ticket, you need legal representation. At Venditti Law Group, we provide our clients with excellent legal representation. We practice criminal defense in Chicago, Chicagoland suburbs, and the surrounding counties.
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