Belleville Sexual Assault and Abuse Lawyer

Sexual Assault and Abuse Attorney in Belleville, IL

If you or a loved one has been accused of a sex offense in or around Belleville, IL, then you owe it to your future to contact an experienced Belleville sexual assault and abuse lawyer immediately. Sex assault or abuse allegations in the state of Illinois come with serious criminal penalties and lifelong consequences, and therefore require immediate and strategic legal representation.

At The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC, we defend clients in Belleville, Edwardsville, and the Metro East area who have been accused of sexual assault or abuse under Illinois law. Jessica Koester has spent decades defending clients charged with serious felonies.

She carefully reviews all the facts of every case, from how the allegations were made to whether evidence was properly obtained to whether the investigation was conducted appropriately. Her passion, compassion, and experience help her protect your rights and your future.

Sexual Assault and Abuse Laws in Illinois

Illinois law defines and prohibits several forms of sexual assault and sexual abuse, depending on the facts, conduct, and ages of the persons involved. 720 ILCS 5/11‑1.20, Criminal Sexual Assault, for instance, makes it a crime to commit sexual penetration by use of force or threat of force, without the complainant’s consent, or by abusing the victim’s authority when the victim is under 18 years of age.

Separately, 720 ILCS 5/11‑1.50, Criminal Sexual Abuse, involves sexual conduct (includes non-penetrative touching/fondling) committed under circumstances such as by force, without consent, or with victim incapacity. A more serious charge may be filed, such as aggravated criminal sexual assault or predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, based on aggravating factors (weapon, victim age, etc.).

A 2025 report from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) and InfoNet states that 9,864 people who had experienced sexual violence or were close to someone who had, were served by sexual-violence service providers throughout Illinois in 2024. The fact that 34% of the clients served in 2024 were minors (age 17 or younger) in that same report highlights the high number of reported victims who are young people.

Hire a Sexual Assault and Abuse Lawyer

When you hire a sexual assault and abuse lawyer, it ensures you receive experienced legal representation to safeguard your rights and challenge false accusations and improper actions by investigators and prosecutors.

At The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC, we realize how damaging sexual assault or abuse charges can be to your social standing, career prospects, and personal relationships. Attorney Jessica Koester has decades of criminal defense experience and can carefully review all the evidence, challenge any questionable police conduct or procedural mistakes, and develop a defense strategy that is tailored to your situation.

Sexual offense laws in Belleville, Illinois, are strict, and the penalties are harsh. A proper defense strategy creates the possibility of avoiding a felony conviction with lasting effects by achieving dismissal of charges or receiving lesser sexual assault and abuse penalties or a not guilty verdict.

Belleville Sexual Assault and Abuse Lawyer

If you have been charged with sexual assault and abuse, a Belleville sexual assault and abuse attorney at The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC can help you in the legal process. Do not delay in seeking legal guidance. Contact us today for a consultation.