Buffalo Grove, Illinois Felony Defense Lawyer

Representing Clients Charged with Felonies in Lake County, IL

If you or a loved one is charged with a felony in Illinois, the most important thing to do is hire an experienced criminal defense attorney. Felony crimes can carry lengthy prison sentences and have serious negative repercussions, but an experienced attorney can help mitigate those consequences. At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we are experienced in handling a wide variety of felony charges. A former criminal prosecutor, Attorney Matthew R. Gebhardt understands how felony cases are prosecuted. Our Buffalo Grove felony defense attorney uses his past experience and extensive knowledge of the law to protect the rights and freedom of his clients.

Understanding Felony Classifications in Illinois

Felonies are significantly more serious than misdemeanors and have much more severe penalties. In Illinois, there are 5 classes of felonies. They are:

• Class 4 Felonies - Punishable by one to three years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
• Class 3 Felonies - Punishable by two to five years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
• Class 2 Felonies - Punishable by three to seven years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
• Class 1 Felonies - Punishable by four to 15 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
• Class X Felonies - Punishable by six to 30 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.

Facing a felony charge can be very frightening, but we are here to help you through the process and protect you along the way. We work closely with our clients to create effective defense strategies and make sure you stay informed and involved throughout. We are dedicated to obtaining the best possible result in every case, whether that is a dismissal, reduced charges or an acquittal at trial.

Should You Accept a Guilty Plea for a Felony Charge?

Whether to accept a guilty plea depends entirely on the facts of the case, and there is no single answer that applies to every situation. A plea deal may make sense when the evidence against a person is strong and a reduced charge or lighter sentence is available. In other cases, weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence or questions about how it was gathered may make going to trial the better option.

A plea should never be accepted out of fear or pressure alone. Our attorney can review the strength of the evidence, the potential outcomes at trial, and the terms of any offer before helping you decide how to move forward.

What to Do If You Are Arrested on Felony Charges in Illinois

Staying calm after an arrest can make a real difference. Avoid answering questions from police beyond identifying yourself, and ask for an attorney right away. Anything said during questioning can be used later in the case.

Write down what you remember about the arrest as soon as possible, including where it happened and what was said. Contacting an attorney quickly gives you the best opportunity to begin building a defense before formal charges move forward.

Meet With a Buffalo Grove, Illinois Felony Defense Attorney

If you or a loved one has been charged with a felony, contact our Buffalo Grove felony defense lawyer or call 847-239-4703 to schedule a free consultation with 847-239-4703. From our Buffalo Grove office, we serve clients throughout Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties. From just a small sampling of our files, we are currently representing individuals from Arlington Heights, Barrington, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Highland Park, Glenview, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Lincolnwood, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, and Rolling Meadows.