The state of Illinois takes gun crimes very seriously. And, just as you might assume, it takes the aggravated discharge of a firearm very seriously, often levying severe penalties against those found guilty of this crime.
Going over the penalties that come with an aggravated discharge of a firearm conviction and speaking with an experienced Schaumburg weapons charge defense attorney will help you obtain a legal outcome that affirms your innocence.
Watch Attorney Thomas T. Glasgow discuss why experience matters when working with a criminal defense attorney on YouTube and TikTok.
What Is Aggravated Discharge Of A Firearm?
The aggravated discharge of a firearm is any situation in which someone knowingly/intentionally fires a gun in a manner that is harmful and/or unlawful.
Just as an example, if someone fires at a person who is driving away, then, even if they never intended to actually hit this person, they can be charged with the aggravated discharge of a firearm.
No matter the exact circumstances that underlie an aggravated discharge of a firearm, this crime is a felony, and, as such, it comes with some severe penalties.
What Are The Penalties For The Aggravated Discharge With A Firearm?
The penalties for aggravated discharge with a firearm are as follows:
- If you fire into or outside of an occupied building, you can receive a prison sentence of four to fifteen years.
- If you fire in the direction of someone or at a moving building, you can receive a prison sentence of four to fifteen years.
- If you fire at a police officer, teacher, firefighter, or paramedic – among other individuals – you can receive a prison sentence of ten to forty-five years.
- If you fire a gun within 1,000 feet of a school, school bus, park, or school event, you can receive a prison sentence of ten to forty-five years.
On top of these penalties, you can be hit with a fine of no more than $25,000. And, if you fire at someone, you could be charged with attempted murder, which comes with its own set of penalties.
How Can You Defend Yourself From The Charges?
The best way to defend yourself from an aggravated discharge of a firearm charge is as follows: work with an experienced criminal defense attorney who knows how to contest the apparent facts of your case.
For example, if you are being charged with firing outside of an occupied building, you and your attorney can contest the notion that you knew you fired outside of this building.
If your attorney can prove that you did not knowingly or intentionally fire outside of a building, then an aggravated discharge of a firearm charge will have a much harder time sticking.
Yet another possibility is that you and your attorney can poke holes in the investigation that led to your charge and demonstrate its lack of validity.
No matter what you do, you must work with an attorney. Not working with an attorney is a very easy way to obtain a less-than-desirable legal outcome.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
If you need representation for a crime, Glasgow & Olsson is uniquely qualified to help you.
Our team has helped thousands of people who have been charged with crimes in Illinois. When we take cases, we do so to win. This means we take cases to trial. We don’t arrange plea bargains unless it is in the best interest of our clients. As proactive lawyers, we fight aggressively and support our clients throughout their entire case up to and including appeals. Protecting your life and freedom is always the goal, and with our decades of experience practicing law, we know how to get results. This is why we are regularly invited to appear as a legal contributor on popular radio and news outlets, including ABC, CNN, NBC, CBS, and Fox NEWS.
When you need an attorney, experience matters.
Speak with a Chicago criminal defense attorney today to learn how our experience can help you get the results you need.