Champaign-Urbana Sexual Assault Defense Attorneys
If you have received sexual assault charges against you, a prosecutor will typically aggressively pursue a conviction on those charges. Therefore, it is essential to work on your defense strategy as soon as possible after these charges have been filed. A conviction on your record can have life-changing consequences, including but not limited to hefty fines, loss of job opportunities, and you may serve prison time. In the long term, your relationships, finances, and your most fundamental freedoms can be permanently affected. How can you prevent these consequences?
If you have been charged with sexual assault, you will need to speak with a Champaign sexual assault defense attorney at Bruno Law Offices to immediately fight the charges against you. Any criminal charges can be a stressful and frightening experience, as penalties for these charges can have the potential to affect every aspect of your life. The reason for this is that few criminal charges are as emotionally charged as sex crime offenses. Unfortunately, an individual that is charged with a sex crime will not typically be given the ‘benefit of the doubt’ by their family, friends, or associates. You will need our Champaign defense team to advocate for you, as we are well-versed in Illinois criminal law. We have spent nearly forty years defending those who need our help the most, and we can help you too.
Our Champaign sexual assault defense attorneys have significant experience dealing with these types of horrific criminal charges. In addition to confronting your range of emotions regarding these accusations, you may have to deal with judgment from others. The term ‘innocent until proven guilty’ is likely going to be difficult for people to keep in mind when they hear about sexual assault charges.
Our experienced and aggressive legal team at the Bruno Law Offices can defend you when you face criminal charges for sexual assault. We are dedicated to giving you the personal attention that your case demands, and we will seek out the facts and defend your rights and freedoms. Our Champaign legal team understands the severity of your charges and the life-changing consequences if you have a criminal conviction. With the assistance of our knowledgeable criminal defense firm, it is possible to have charges dismissed or reduced in severity if you are charged with a crime. We can also attempt to prevent negative scars on your record so that your future doesn’t have to be negatively impacted as well. Don’t delay as time is of the essence with criminal charges. Please complete our online form, chat live, or contact us at (217) 328-6000 so that we can begin developing a legal defense strategy for you. Your future cannot be left up to chance.
Why Do I Need a Champaign Sexual Assault Defense Attorney?
After you receive a serious and potentially life-altering sexual assault charge, you will need an attorney who will stand with you as your advocate. The question is whether you would trust just anyone with your future. Probably not, as you are facing a criminal charge conviction. Even if you are not convicted, you are concerned how the charges against you will affect your employment or how others treat you. The legal system in Illinois can be challenging and confusing, so why not seek out the best representation that you can get?
Our experienced sexual assault defense team at Bruno Law Offices understands the fear and uncertainty that follows an arrest and criminal charges. Let our Champaign firm handle your paperwork, court appearances, and negotiation so that the burden of defending your livelihood and reputation will be off your hands. We have protected other individuals in similar circumstances for nearly four decades now, and we are committed to helping you with your case. Call us today!
Why Choose Bruno Law Offices?
Since Thomas Bruno founded the firm in 1980, the Bruno Law Offices have not ceased in diligently and aggressively defending people accused of crimes in Champaign-Urbana. We have become the gold standard in criminal defense in downstate Illinois, and our knowledgeable team has the experience in and out of the courtroom that you need on your side if you are facing serious criminal charges. Our skilled team believes that everyone deserves their day in court, and for this reason, we won’t stop defending those who need our help the most. Our sexual assault defense attorneys have won the trust of juries, and we have successfully helped our clients get the charges against them reduced or dismissed so that they can move on with their lives. We never charge you for an initial consultation, so please contact us through our online form, by live chat, or give us a call today at (217) 328-6000 to discuss the details of your case. Don’t delay, as your life may depend upon it.
If you are seeking to put your criminal case in the hands of capable criminal defense attorneys that will look out for you and your future, the Bruno Law Offices can deliver what you need. Our defense team has been the number one criminal defense firm of Central Illinois, and we have the legal expertise, personal service, and professionalism that you require for your case. Through our four decades of service to the Illinois community, our firm has developed a well-earned reputation for excellence, and we have earned the trust and respect of our clients. We diligently research the facts of your case and prepare your best legal defense strategy. We are here to help!
Sexual Assault Cases That We Handle
Any allegations of sexual assault carry with them a range of potentially life-altering consequences, should a conviction be achieved against you, including the following consequences:
- Substantial prison sentences – Charges of sexual assault carry with them a potential prison sentence if there is a conviction. We know that a prison sentence also can put your future in serious jeopardy – as your ability to obtain or keep a job is affected, as well your general reputation with family, friends, or coworkers. If you have a family, you don’t want to get a prison sentence and not be able to see them for any length of time. In Illinois, any violation of sexual assault laws can result in four years to life in prison upon conviction, depending on the circumstances and whether there are any prior rape convictions.
- Lifetime registration as a sex offender – If you have a charge of sexual assault and you have a conviction, you are subject to the requirement of registering as a sex offender in your area. There are numerous felony or misdemeanor convictions or adjudications that can require the offender to register as a sex offender, including but not limited to criminal sexual abuse, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, permitting sexual abuse of a child and predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. Sex offender registries can protect a community from violent offenders, but they can also ruin lives of otherwise law-abiding people who have been wrongly accused and convicted of a sex-related offense.
- Lifetime designation as a felon – If you are convicted of a sexual assault charge, you face a lifetime classification as a felon. This designation can make it extremely difficult to obtain employment after a conviction and a prison term. Knowing that you are a felon, other employers, family, friends, or former associates can severely judge you according to your conviction record. A felony record puts you in a negative category with the court of public opinion, and it can be challenging to recover after such a conviction. People listed as felons can find it difficult to find work, to engage socially in their communities, or find a place to live.
Although the criminal charges against you are grave, our Champaign sexual assault defense attorneys can help you develop a comprehensive legal strategy so that you can fight for you and your rights in court, and so you can fight for your future.
At the Bruno Law Offices, our aggressive Champaign firm is well versed in all types of criminal sexual assault cases, and we have the resources and the knowledge of Illinois law to be able to defend you. Do not delay and complete our online form, chat live, or call us our criminal defense team at (217) 328-6000 and speak with one of our experienced attorneys. Your life may depend on the decision you make today.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have charged with sexual assault, you need a criminal defense attorney who will handle your case and answer your questions. Our Champaign legal team at the Bruno Law Offices has compiled a list of some of the questions that you may have regarding your criminal charges, along with their answers. If you would like to discuss these or other issues, please contact us at (217) 328-6000, and our knowledgeable legal team will be able to assist you.
What are my rights if I am arrested?
After you’ve been arrested your rights are explained in the Miranda Rights. Until you have the best legal representation, it is best to remain silent. Furthermore, you are not under any legal obligation to respond to law enforcement’s questions after the arrest. A criminal defense attorney will be selected for you through the court if you can’t afford your private attorney. You can then answer any law enforcement questions after you have already obtained legal representation.
Is law enforcement under any obligation to give me a reason for my arrest?
Law enforcement officers don’t have to give you a reason for placing you under arrest. Within 72 hours of the arrest, you are legally required to face a judge who then lets you know the specific charges that are being brought against you. It is recommended to have your attorney present at that time. If your attorney is not present, it is best to remain silent rather than agree to being questioned, especially if the charges have not been clearly defined to you yet.
Illinois Felony Criminal Charges: By the Numbers
According to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) article dated August 2016, employment restriction on convicted felons in Illinois is staggering. Over the past three decades, at least 1.5 million men and women have been convicted of felony charges in Illinois. Even after satisfying their probation or prison sentence, they still face consequences based on their conviction, some of which can last the rest of their lives.
Furthermore, if the principle that past behavior is predictive of future actions, the felon has a long road ahead after a criminal conviction, especially after serving jail time. Also, according to the article, “eligibility restrictions for certain jobs, housing options and educational opportunities based on a person’s prior criminal history have been enacted over time to protect the public from future victimization…” Some of these restrictions are designed to serve as a deterrent for future criminal activity, especially for the younger population, but the restrictions may cause other issues like limiting their ability to get a job or advance in their careers moving forward.
Any sexual assault conviction can impose further employment restrictions may prevent them from obtaining careers in specific fields where there are vulnerable populations, such as children, elderly individuals, or people with disabilities. It is estimated that at least 30 to 40 percent of employers conduct checks on potential employees, although the percentage can be as high as 73 percent, according to the article. Studies show that having a criminal record lowers the likelihood of an employer’s call-back rate by as much as fifty percent.
Call Us Today
Being charged with sexual assault can have devastating effects on your personal and professional life. At the Bruno Law Offices, our aggressive Champaign-Urbana criminal defense attorneys are effective, efficient, and experienced, and we can help you through this difficult process. We have provided counsel for other clients who have had similar charges brought against them, and we can assist you to protect your freedom and livelihood. Complete our online form, chat live, or contact our Champaign office at (217) 328-6000. Protect your rights and your future. The time to act is now.