In the state of Illinois, felony firearm cases tend to come with certain charges. One of the most frequent charges, in most felony firearm cases, is the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
The consequences of an aggravated unlawful use of a weapon conviction are severe. By going over these consequences and speaking with a Chicago criminal defense attorney, you can protect your legal rights.
What Is The Aggravated Unlawful Use Of A Weapon?
The aggravated unlawful use of a weapon is when someone carries a firearm outside of their home, permitted private property, or their place of business, all while certain aggravating factors are present.
Here is one example: to own a gun in Illinois, you need a FOID card. If you do not have a FOID card and own/carry a handgun, you are committing a crime. This crime can be charged as the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
Being convicted of the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon can lead to serious consequences. Someone convicted of this crime could spend anywhere from one to three years in jail if it is their first offense.
In the event that someone has prior convictions for this crime or any other felonies, they could face three to seven years in prison.
None of those consequences are guaranteed. Being convicted of the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon can lead to this; however, this is one of the many reasons why it is so important to work with an attorney.
Why Are Aggravated Unlawful Use Of A Weapon Charges So Common?
Prosecutors often pursue aggravated unlawful use of a weapon charges when a defendant has qualifying prior convictions. This is because charges of this sort increase the maximum penalties a person might face.
For example, if someone is being charged with simple battery, that comes with its own set of consequences. A year in county jail, for example. However, if they own a gun and have been convicted of a felony in the past, they could be charged with the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Instead of facing one year in jail, they could face up to seven years in jail.
People who have been charged with the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, on top of other crimes, may be more hesitant to go to trial. They may accept a plea. Even if the case against them isn’t very strong.
In many Illinois counties, the charges most frequently encountered in felony firearm cases include the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, armed habitual criminal, reckless discharge, aggravated discharge, armed violence, and aggravated battery with a firearm. These charges can be stacked on initial charges to increase the penalties associated with a conviction.
What Can You Do To Protect Yourself?
You can protect yourself from the penalties associated with an unlawful use of a weapon charge by working with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
A good criminal defense attorney will look at your case and develop a defense that helps you obtain the best possible legal outcome.
Here is one example: if you are being charged with the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon due to a police stop that was conducted improperly, your attorney can contest the police stop that led to this charge. This can lead to the whole case being dropped.
If you work with Glasgow & Olsson, we will take your case to trial. We fight for our clients, and we play to win. You will not be forced to accept a plea deal that does not align with the facts of your case or the legal outcome that you are seeking.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
If you need representation for a criminal charge, 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 they’re in our clients’ best interests. 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 legal contributors 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 lawyer today to learn how our experience can get you the results you deserve.