Dedicated Wheaton Criminal Defense Attorneys Serving People Throughout Illinois
Facing criminal charges can be a frightening experience. To be sure, penalties for criminal convictions range from fines to revocation of a professional license and even the loss of your driver’s license. A sentence may even include jail time.
If you are currently facing criminal charges, reach out to the skilled attorneys at Beck & Houlihan, P.C. We are experienced and have a track record of fighting for our clients. We are committed to providing the highest level of criminal defense services. Our lawyers understand how even the smallest charge can impact the rest of your life and put your job, family and reputation at risk.
If you have been charged with a crime, even a simple misdemeanor, it is crucial that you consult with an experienced defense attorney right away and do not make any statements without consulting a lawyer.
Criminal Defense Attorneys in Wheaton
Some of the criminal defense areas that we cover at Beck & Houlihan, P.C., include:
- Assault and battery: In Illinois, battery involves inflicting bodily harm or unwanted physical contact with another person, while assault refers to placing another person in reasonable apprehension of battery.
- Domestic violence and Orders of Protection: You can be accused of domestic violence and have an order of protection filed against you if you harass, physically abuse, intimidate, or interfere with the personal liberty of any family or household member, including any minor child or dependent adult.
- Drug crimes: In Illinois, the punishment for drug crimes depends on a variety of factors – the type of drug possessed, how much was in possession, whether it was manufactured, intended to be sold or being sold, any prior possession convictions, and other factors.
- DUI and alcohol offenses: Illinois declares an alcohol concentration in a person’s blood or breath of .08 or more to be “under the influence of alcohol,” and it is illegal to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, other drugs, intoxicating compounds, or any combination thereof.
- Theft/burglary: While theft is obviously the taking of property that does not belong to you, a person can be charged with burglary for simply entering someone else’s property with the intent to commit theft or a felony. Burglary is a Class 2 felony in Illinois, and a Class 1 felony when committed in a school, day care center, day care home, group day care home, part-day child care facility or place of worship (as long as it is not operating in a private residence).
Traffic Violations can cover a broad array of fines and penalties. Some of the most common that we represent clients on include:
- Construction zone and school zone violations: In Illinois, if construction signs are present, you can be fined $250 for speeding in a construction zone the first time, and the minimum fine is $150 every time thereafter. In a school zone, the minimum fine is $150. In addition, your driver’s license could be suspended.
- Fleeing and eluding/reckless driving: Reckless driving is a Class A Misdemeanor, which carries a possible sentence of up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,500. Fleeing and eluding police is a serious offense, and a Class A Misdemeanor with up to 365 days in jail or a fine of $2,500.
- Speeding and aggravated speeding: If you are caught speeding in excess of 26 mph over the speed limit, it is considered aggravated speeding and classified as a criminal offense for which you cannot receive court supervision.
- Teen driving tickets: When a teenage driver gets a ticket, it can lead to a court appearance, as well as fines and suspended driving privileges for traffic offenses.
- Texting and cellphone use while driving: Effective 2014, all hand-held devices while driving have been banned in Illinois. Drivers must use hands-free technology, but all cell phone use is prohibited if you are driving in a highway construction zone and/or if you are a new driver. It is completely illegal to text while driving.
Our attorneys are prepared to mount an aggressive and effective defense if you are facing criminal or traffic charges in Illinois. We have over 30 years of legal experience, and we will put that to use for you today to ensure your rights are protected throughout each step of your case.
Contact Our DuPage Criminal Defense Attorneys
The experienced attorneys at Beck & Houlihan, P.C., assist clients and aggressively represent their rights at every stage of the criminal process. Contact us at 630-398-3185.