Belleville Weapons Trafficking & Possession of Altered Firearm Lawyer

Weapons Trafficking & Possession of Altered Firearm Attorney in Belleville, IL

When you or a loved one is charged with a serious weapons offense in Belleville, the single most important decision you can make is to hire an aggressive, experienced Belleville weapons trafficking & possession of altered firearm lawyer. In Illinois, weapons trafficking and possession of an altered firearm are considered high level felonies that carry serious, life-changing weapons trafficking & possession of altered firearm penalties.

The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC, serves clients across Belleville and St. Clair County. Jessica Koester’s office is conveniently located just steps away from the St. Clair County Courthouse in Belleville, and she is a top criminal defense attorney who can handle the most serious felony charges in the State of Illinois.

Jessica Koester has been working as a criminal defense attorney for over two decades and is a seasoned litigator who will go the extra mile to provide an aggressive, detail-driven defense for you in and out of the courtroom.

Illinois Weapons Trafficking & Possession of Altered Firearm Laws

Weapons trafficking and possession of an altered firearm are both felonies in Illinois. Under 720 ILCS 5/24-5, it is illegal to knowingly possess a firearm with an obliterated serial number. This is a felony charge that can result in prison time.

Trafficking is outlined under 720 ILCS 5/24-3B as the Act of bringing a firearm into Illinois with the intent to illegally transfer or sell it. The Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) Act (430 ILCS 65) is a law requiring lawful gun owners to have proper authorization. Violations of this law can enhance felony weapons charges.

The most recent statistics available from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) show that 22,973 firearms were recovered and traced in Illinois in 2023. Pistols were 18,544, revolvers were 1,465, rifles were 1,397, and 858 shotguns, among other weapon types.

Defenses Available in Weapons Cases

In most firearms trafficking cases, the investigation starts well before you are ever arrested. Phone records are often traced, online messages monitored, and federal agents may also be involved. When altered firearm cases are in investigators’ possession, forensic firearm examinations often play a key role in the prosecutor’s case.

It is critical that a Belleville weapons trafficking & possession of an altered firearm attorney completely understands how the firearm was discovered, how it was tested, and whether your constitutional rights were violated during the investigation. Some common defenses an attorney may use include:

• Fourth Amendment violations involving unlawful search and seizure
• Ignorance of the firearm’s ownership
• Unlawful traffic stops without a valid reason
• Inadequate forensic management of the weapon
• Issues with the chain of custody
• Untrustworthy informant testimony or misidentification

Hire a Weapons Trafficking & Possession of Altered Firearm Lawyer

By choosing to hire a weapons trafficking & possession of an altered firearm lawyer, you are hiring someone to stand up for your rights, fight against illegal police action, and develop a strategy aimed at discrediting the prosecution’s case.

Jessica Koester is a criminal defense lawyer who takes on only felony cases that could change the course of your life. She knows that one bad decision, one misunderstood comment, one wrongfully seized item can become the focal point of your future. She can fight to ensure the prosecution has to meet its entire burden of proof and that your rights are never considered optional.

Belleville Weapons Trafficking & Possession of Altered Firearm Lawyer

Contact The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC today if you have been charged with weapons offenses. We can help you in the legal process and defend your rights.