Rock Island Illinois Felony Defense Attorney

Any criminal conviction can have an impact on your life, but a felony conviction carries the most serious consequences. If you’ve been charged with a felony in or around Rock Island, your next step should be to speak to an experienced local felony defense attorney. Innocent mistakes like trying to clear things up by talking to the police, or even making the wrong social media post, can hurt your case. So, you’ll want to get knowledgeable guidance as soon as possible. 

What is a Felony?

In Illinois, a crime is classified as a felony if it carries a possible sentence of more than one year in prison. There are five felony classes. 

Sentencing by Illinois Felony Class

Class 4 felony is the lowest (least serious) felony classification. The possible sentence for a class 4 felony is 1-3 years in prison. If the crime is classified as an extended term class 4 felony, the sentencing range is 3-6 years. 

Class 3 felonies are punishable by 2-5 years in prison. The potential sentence for an extended term class 3 felony is 5-10 years. 

Class 2 felonies carry a possible sentence of 3-7 years in prison. When a crime is classified as an extended term class 2 felony, the possible sentence is 7-14 years. 

Class 1 felonies are punishable but 4-15 years in prison, except for second degree murder, which carries a possible sentence of 4-20 years. A crime classified as an extended term class 1 felony carries a potential sentence of 15-30 years. 

Class X felonies are the most serious type of felony crime in Illinois. The possible sentence is 6-30 years in prison. A crime classified as an extended term class X felony may carry a sentence of up to 60 years in prison. 

Certain specific crimes, such as first degree murder or designation as an habitual criminal can result in a life sentence. 

Other Penalties for Felony Crimes

Unlike the laws of many other states, Illinois law does not create a tiered system of fines for felony convictions. Any individual convicted of a felony in Illinois may be fined up to $25,000. 

In addition to prison sentences and fines, a felony conviction may result in probation with restrictive terms, community service, an order to pay restitution to the victims, mandatory drug and alcohol counseling, and other conditions. Depending on the type of crime, there may be other consequences, such as driver’s license revocation, loss of the right to own a firearm, and sex offender registration. 

Indirect costs are higher with a felony conviction as well. Having a felony on your record can make it difficult to find work, disqualify you from certain types of housing, and either outright disqualify you or put you at risk for denial of certain professional licenses. 

Fighting Illinois Felony Charges

Being charged with a felony doesn’t always mean being convicted of a felony. An experienced criminal defense lawyer may be able to: 

• Suppress evidence against you, resulting in dismissal or reduction of the charges against you, or improving your chances of being acquitted at trial
• Find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case that allow them to negotiate for a more favorable resolution, such as reduction of the charges
• In certain types of cases, negotiate for felony supervision, a type of probation that comes before conviction and may allow you to avoid a conviction
• Try your case to a jury, if that is the best option for you

It’s easy to get discouraged if you don’t have in-depth knowledge of the laws and procedures surrounding your case. It’s also easy to miss out on a defense that might have turned your case around. 

With so much at stake, it’s important to have the right information and guidance from the beginning. 

Felony Defense Attorney Clark A. Miljush is Here for You

As a long-time criminal defense attorney who also has experience on the other side of the aisle,  know how critical it is for people charged with crimes in and around Rock Island to understand their rights and get the help they need. That’s why I offer free consultations to people facing criminal charges. 

To learn more about how I can help you protect your rights and fight the charges against you,  fill out our contact form or call 309-752-8500 right now.