Fairview Heights Gun Crime Lawyer

Experienced Gun Crime Attorney in Fairview Heights, IL

Guns are commonly used for hunting and recreation throughout Illinois. Gun owners share important rights and responsibilities when owning, transporting, and using their firearms. If you have been accused of violating one of the state’s gun laws, you could be facing serious penalties. A Fairview Heights gun crime lawyer can review your case and represent you in court, so your rights are protected and you stand the strongest chance of successfully contesting your case.

Why Trust The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC

Being accused of committing a gun crime can be a stressful and isolating experience. When the criminal justice system bears down, it is critically important to have strong legal representation in your corner. The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC, represents clients who are facing serious criminal charges.

Our dedicated Fairview Heights criminal defense lawyer brings decades of experience to these matters and a track record of helping defendants avoid the consequences of a serious conviction.

When you work with our law firm, you are connected directly to our lead criminal defense attorney, who graduated from the University of Illinois before earning her Juris Doctor from Notre Dame Law School. With decades of experience, she is licensed in Illinois and Missouri. Her track record of success in court and dedication to her clients have earned her numerous recognitions and rave reviews from past clients.

Common Gun Crimes in Fairview Heights

While 2.4 million residents in Illinois possess Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) cards, in 2023, St. Clair County had the most occurrences of firearm trafficking incidents. While gun ownership is high across the state, a series of laws prohibits the ownership of certain firearms and regulates how guns can be sold and stored. The Protect Illinois Communities Act, for example, regulates the distribution and sale of high-capacity magazines and assault weapons.

The state sees 12.4 gun deaths per 100,00 residents in a typical year. Criminals convicted of violent offenses are barred from concealed carry, while felony convictions can lead to a complete prohibition of gun ownership for felons. Domestic violence convictions can also lead to the loss of gun rights.

Bringing a firearm into a government building, airport, or another restricted area can also lead to an arrest. The use of a firearm during a crime can be used as an aggravating factor that enhances the severity of the offense.

Strategic Defenses for Contesting Gun Crime Charges

The first step for anyone contesting a gun crime charge is to thoroughly review the evidence being used against them. A strong defense could explore whether law enforcement conducted a lawful search. If there was a violation of the defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights, that could lead to evidence being suppressed.

Unlawful possession can be questioned by arguing that the accused did not have knowledge or active possession of the gun. Assault charges can be contested by arguing self-defense or lack of criminal intent, whether you live in Bountiful Heights, Brittany Estates, Chateau Farms, or elsewhere in Fairview Heights.

Why Hire a Gun Crime Lawyer?

In Illinois, the decision to hire a gun crime lawyer can prevent you from becoming one of the roughly 50,000 people currently surviving time behind bars in the state. A Fairview Heights gun crime attorney, like Jessica Koester, brings decades of experience and knowledge of Illinois’s state gun crime laws to the defense of your case.

Defense lawyers can independently investigate the accusations to find the right strategy for shielding you from gun crime penalties. Whether your case resolves through dropped charges, plea bargaining, or a trial verdict, having legal support can prove valuable for securing a favorable outcome to your case.

FAQs

What Are the Most Common Gun Crimes in Illinois?

The most common gun crimes in Illinois include unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. More serious offenses can involve the use of a weapon during the commission of another crime. Many of the more serious gun crimes in Illinois can lead to a felony conviction and the immediate loss of a defendant’s freedom.

Can You Protect Your Home With a Gun in Illinois?

Yes, you can protect your home with a gun in Illinois. State law allows the use of a firearm in self-defense inside your home under certain circumstances. Deadly force may be justified if you reasonably believe that your safety is in danger. A firearm can be used to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm. If the suspect is wounded or killed, that can still lead to an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Can You Carry 15 Rounds in Illinois?

Yes, you can carry 15 rounds in Illinois if the gun in question is a handgun. The law treats magazine capacity differently depending on the firearm. Under 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9, a semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that accepts more than 15 rounds can fall under the state’s “assault weapon” restrictions. The same law sets lower limits for certain rifles and shotguns, including more than 10 rounds for some fixed-magazine rifles.

Can You Walk Around With a Gun in Illinois?

Yes, you can walk around with a concealed gun in Illinois legally if you have a valid concealed carry license. Open carry is not allowed. Individuals must also have a valid FOID card to legally possess a firearm. Even with a license, there are restrictions on where firearms can be carried, including certain public places, private properties, and designated gun-free zones under state law.

Connect With an Experienced Fairview Heights Gun Crime Lawyer

Facing gun crime charges can be an isolating and stressful experience. When you work with the dedicated legal team at The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC, you benefit from our founding attorneys’ decades of courtroom experience. We do not settle for unfavorable plea bargain agreements, and we are more than willing to take a case to trial when that’s what is needed to see that justice is served.

Don’t delay securing the high-level legal representation that your case deserves. Once you meet with our lead attorney, we can begin looking into the case by reviewing the evidence and taking the time to listen to your account of events. Then, we can move forward with a defense strategy that is tailored to the specifics of your case. Take the first step by contacting our office.