Buffalo Grove, Illinois Sexual Assault Lawyer

Skilled Representation for Lake County Residents

Perhaps no category of crime has the potential to damage your reputation and completely derail your life than a sexual offense charge. The social stigma attached to such charges can result in your being found guilty in the court of public opinion long before your trial date arrives. If you find yourself in the position of being charged with a sexual crime such as sexual abuse or sexual assault, it is extremely important that you speak to a knowledgeable Lake County sex crimes defense lawyer at the earliest possible time.

It is likely that you are frightened and anxious about your future, and that you are fully aware of just how high the stakes are. Perhaps the best decision you can make at this juncture is to consult the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C. to determine your best option to move forward. Attorney Gebhardt has practiced for more than twenty years—five of those years as a Cook County prosecutor—so he is more able than most to see your issue from both legal perspectives. Attorney Matthew R. Gebhardt will have a goal of minimizing the extremely severe penalties associated with your charges, and preventing you from having to register as a sexual offender for many years—or even for the rest of your life.

Sexual Assault Charges in Illinois

Sexual assault is defined in the state of Illinois as any type of sexual contact absent consent of the other person. Forced sexual intercourse, forced sodomy, molestation of a child, incest, fondling, and attempted rape all fall under the sexual assault term. There are a number of reasons leading up to the charges you are facing, including that you could be a victim of false allegations. Whatever your situation, it is crucial that you find an attorney who will defend you with respect and no judgment. As a skilled negotiator and an experienced litigator, Matthew R. Gebhardt is very aware of the mentality accompanying sexual assault charges and will work hard to protect your future.

Defenses to Charges of Sexual Assault

Of course the defense your attorney constructs will depend on the circumstances surrounding your charges. One potential defense is consent of the alleged victim if that person is over the age of 17. The consent must be specific to the charges for the act at issue, not from a prior sexual encounter. A defense of mistaken identity could also be possible if the alleged victim has misidentified you as the person committing sexual abuse. Actual innocence is, of course a defense, and one your attorney will implement should that be the case. If you have been falsely accused our skilled Mundelein sex crimes defense lawyer will work hard to challenge the credibility of your accuser.

Penalties Associated with a Sexual Assault Conviction

The crime of criminal sexual assault is a Class 1 felony, punishable by prison time from four to fifteen years and a fine as high as $25,000. If convicted of aggravated sexual assault, you could be sentenced to a minimum of six and a maximum of thirty years in prison, and a subsequent sexual assault conviction could result in life imprisonment. Enhanced penalties exist if a weapon was used during the sexual assault, the victim suffered bodily harm, the victim’s life was threatened, the sexual assault occurred during the commission of another felony offense or if the victim was more than 60 years old, physically handicapped or mentally disabled.

How an Experienced Lawyer Can Help

There are few instances in which a plea bargain is a good idea when you are charged with a sex crime. Attorney Matthew R. Gebhardt will investigate your case thoroughly and will never plea bargain unless it is definitely in your best interests. For experienced, knowledgeable representation, contact Attorney Gebhardt today for a free consultation by calling 773-383-8745 or 847-239-4703.