Being charged with a crime is scary and throws your life into a storm of uncertainty. What’s going to happen? What will your future look like? Will you lose your freedom? All these questions are probably swirling through your mind.
The risk of losing your liberty is high, and we understand how much this is likely to worry you. The criminal defense attorneys of Bruno Law Offices have over four decades of experience defending our clients against criminal charges. We’ve helped many of our clients beat their charges, reduce their charges, or minimize their penalties. We’re 100 percent dedicated to fighting vigorously in our defense of our accused clients to try to reach the most favorable outcome in their cases.
Call Bruno Law Offices today at (217) 328-6000 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your charges with our Tolono criminal defense attorneys.
Criminal Cases We Handle
The criminal defense attorneys at Bruno Law Offices represent those who have been accused of serious crimes. Whether you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense, are facing days in jail, years in prison, or the death penalty, we can help protect your rights and provide you with the high-quality legal representation that you need.
We represent those who are charged with the following:
- Gun Possession – Illinois state laws regarding lawful ownership of a gun state that gun owners must meet a long list of requirements, the most significant of which is that you have to obtain a firearm license. If you’re found in illegal possession of a firearm, you could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor on the lower end or a Class 3 felony on the higher end.
- Assault and Battery – You may be charged with assault if you threaten someone with physical harm. You can be charged with battery if you physically hurt someone. These charges could be upgraded to aggravated assault or aggravated battery, generally, if you committed the offenses while using a deadly weapon. These charges can range from Class C misdemeanor up to a Class 3 felony, which carry a punishment of up to thirty days in jail to five years in prison, respectively. Penalties increase if there are prior convictions.
- Homicide and Murder – These charges carry some of the steepest penalties. In fact, if you’re charged with and convicted of 1st-degree murder, and there were aggravating factors, you could be sentenced to death. Without aggravating circumstances, you could be charged with felony first- or second-degree murder, which carries a maximum of life or 20 years, respectively, in prison.
- Drug Crimes – You could be charged with several drug offenses in Illinois for possession, trafficking, or manufacturing a host of street drugs and other controlled substances. These include marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. These can be felony or misdemeanor offenses based on what and how much of the drug was involved in your alleged offense. Misdemeanors can carry penalties ranging from six months to a year in jail, while felonies can carry up to 50 years in prison.
Conspiracy – If you’re accused of planning to commit a crime with someone else, you could be charged with the felony offense of conspiracy, whether or not you committed the planned crime. Conspiracy cases are challenging. You can be sentenced to years in prison if convicted.- Sex Offenses – Being charged with sexual assault, rape, sexual abuse, child pornography, and child molestation can ruin your life, even if you’re never convicted of the crime. Sex crimes, especially those against children, are some of the most harshly prosecuted crimes. If you’re convicted of the most serious sex offenses, you can face years of imprisonment and may have to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life.
- Traffic Violations – Charges for traffic violations aren’t innocuous. You can face significant jail time and financial penalties if you’re found guilty of committing a traffic violation. These violations include speeding, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident.
- DUI – Potential penalties for DUI convictions are one of the dangers of driving while under the influence. But your life and your ability to enjoy your life can be ruined by a DUI conviction. DUI offenses carry up to a one-year jail sentence and a $1,000 fine for a misdemeanor conviction and up to a six-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine for a felony DUI conviction.
- Driving with a Suspended/Revoked/Expired License – After your driving privileges are taken away, or you fail to renew your driver’s license, you can be charged with a serious crime or traffic violation if you’re found driving. The penalties for driving with a suspended or revoked license can range from Class A misdemeanors to Class 1-4 felonies, depending upon the circumstances.
- Theft and Burglary – A theft or burglary charge may be levied against you if you’re accused of taking someone else’s property without their permission or unlawfully entering someone’s property, respectively. If you’re convicted of theft, your sentence could be between a year in jail to 30 years in prison, depending on the class of your charge. Burglary carries a maximum 15-year sentence for a Class 1 felony.
- Home Invasion – You can be charged with home invasion if it’s believed that you unlawfully entered someone’s home and harmed those inside the home with or without the use of a deadly weapon. Home invasion is a serious Class X felony offense and may result in up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000.
- White-Collar Crimes – These can be some of the most complex crimes. Including various charges of fraud, computer crimes, copyright infringement, insider trading, and identity theft, white-collar crimes carry penalties that can be just as steep as those issued for violent offenses.
Additionally, we represent clients if they’ve been summoned for a police interview, charged with perjury or obstruction, or resisting arrest. We also defend international students and other international visitors who have been charged with crimes in the state.
Contact a Tolono, IL Criminal Defense Attorney
We empathize with how fearful you must feel right now after being charged with a crime. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys will mount a vigorous defense against your charges to protect your rights and liberty. Call Bruno Law Offices right now at (217) 328-6000 to discuss how we can help you with your case and support you through this turbulent time. Your initial consultation is free.