Wheaton, Illinois Sex Crimes Lawyer

Experienced Battery Attorney Serving DuPage and Kane Counties

When you are accused of a battery or sex crime in Illinois, it can turn your life upside down. You may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time; you may have misinterpreted the intentions of your accuser; or you may have made a poor decision in the heat of the moment. Whatever the case, a sex crime or battery accusation is a very serious matter. And just because you believe you are innocent does not mean a judge or jury will see it that way.
If you are facing a criminal battery or sex crime charge in Illinois, you need an attorney with the compassion and tenacity to fight for your rights. At our firm, we understand that bad circumstances happen to good people, and we are dedicated to doing everything possible to make sure you receive a positive outcome for your case.

Illinois Assault and Battery Charges

Assault and battery (or aggravated battery) charges can occur for an incident as benign as an argument or shoving match. Under Illinois law, a person can be accused of assault simply by engaging in actions that put another person in "reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery." Battery, on the other hand, can be alleged when someone’s conduct causes "bodily harm to another" or if someone’s conduct is considered to be "insulting, provocative, or unwanted physical contact with another person."

Battery is a more common charge than assault, and carries potentially far worse penalties, depending on if the prosecutor decides to charge the defendant with a felony or misdemeanor. Often times, a charge of resisting arrest accompanies a battery or aggravated battery charge. It is important to note that a disposition of supervision is not available for resisting arrest: a finding of guilt will leave a permanent conviction on your record.

Sex Crimes Accusations in Illinois

If you are found guilty of a sex crime, the damage can linger far beyond the punishment you receive. In Illinois, a number of sexual crimes will require you to register as a sex offender; these include:

• Indecent Solicitation of a Child
• Sexual Exploitation of a Child
• Soliciting of a Juvenile Prostitute
• Child Pornography
• Aggravated Criminal/Criminal Sexual Assault
• Aggravated Criminal/Criminal Sexual Abuse

Often, these crimes have few (if any) witnesses, so your case may come down to the credibility of each party involved and how effectively your case is argued.

What to Do If You Are Accused of a Sex Crime

Illinois citizens that are accused of sex crimes need to be proactive. DO NOT assume that because you know you are innocent, everything will work out okay. You need to take deliberate steps to help yourself and your defense counsel. Here are 4 actions to take immediately after being accused of a sex crime:

1. STOP Answering Questions: If you are arrested and questioned by authorities, do not answer anything other than your name, address and DOB until you have retained legal counsel. Anything you tell authorities can be used against you, so if you have already talked to them, stop communications right away.
2. Document Everything: The moment you are accused, it is a good idea to write out a timeline of what happened and when. Also, look through all your electronic communications for anything that may bolster your case. Do not talk to anyone (verbally or electronically) about the case, and definitely do not discuss the case with your accuser.
3. Start Thinking About Witnesses: It is never too early to put together a list of names and contact information of people that are either direct witnesses to the alleged event, or can serve as character witnesses.
4. Contact an Illinois Criminal Defense Attorney: When you are faced with a sex crime accusation, time is of the essence. As soon as possible, contact a criminal lawyer that is focused on this area of the law and has a strong track record of good results for their clients.

For an Initial Attorney Meeting with a compassionate and committed DuPage County battery and sex crimes lawyer, contact our firm today at 630-871-1700. Our law firm proudly represents clients for criminal law, traffic violations, and expungement cases throughout the Chicago area; including Wheaton, Naperville, Downers Grove, Lombard, St. Charles, Geneva, Elgin, North Aurora, Batavia, Aurora, and DuPage County, Kane County, and surrounding Illinois communities.