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 LAKE COUNTY ILLINOIS FELONY LAWYER

Waukegan Attorney Defending all Felony Charges

A felony is a criminal offense that can carry a penalty of a year or more in prison.  In many instances, persons convicted of felony offenses also are eligible for probation.  A felony charge is a serious matter.  The attorney you select to defend your felony case should have significant prior experience working in felony court.

Attorney Matt Hoffman has that experience.  Over the years, he has handled hundreds of felony cases.  He has successfully tried some of the most serious felony charges, ranging from Attempted First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, and Home Invasion, to multi-kilo narcotics cases and cases involving the alleged sexual assault and abuse of children.

As a former felony prosecutor, Matt Hoffman understands the felony process— the manner in which police and prosecutors go about seeking convictions.  He has extensive experience working with expert witnesses, and has questioned experts at trial who have testified in the following areas:

DNA analysis, bullet wound and stabbing injuries, blunt trauma, firearms and ballistics, fingerprint identification, crime scene preservation, sexual abuse and molestation, accident reconstruction in vehicular homicide, chemical breath testing, field sobriety tests, narcotics distribution, drug trafficking, and drug analysis and identification.

The lawyer you choose to defend you in felony court should be equipped to try your case.  This is because not every case can be resolved by plea bargaining or a reduction or dismissal of charges.  In fact, it is important that the prosecutor knows your attorney will not hesitate to try your case if it cannot be resolved by plea bargaining.  A prosecutor who knows this is more likely to seriously evaluate your case with a view toward disposing of it in a fair manner.  Matt Hoffman has a reputation as an attorney who will not back away from even the most complicated trial.

Drug Cases, White Collar Crime, Burglary & Theft

Matthew T. Hoffman P.C. defends and will try any and all Illinois felony charges.  Examples of charges this office defends include:

All Felony Drug Charges

All Felony Gun and Weapon Charges

Murder, Robbery, Home Invasion, Armed Violence

• Murder, Attempted Murder, Solicitation, Conspiracy, Manslaughter, Reckless Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Domestic Battery, Stalking, Mob Action, Armed Violence, Robbery, Armed Robbery, Vehicular Hijacking, Intimidation, Home Invasion, Kidnaping, Unlawful Restraint, Child Abduction

Residential Burglary, Theft and Forgery

• Theft, Retail Theft, Forgery, Deceptive Practices (bouncing checks), Financial Exploitation, Financial Identity Theft, Credit Card Fraud, Burglary (breaking and entering), Possession of Burglary Tools, Residential Burglary, Possession of a Stolen Firearm

White Collar Crime

• Bribery, Money Laundering, Fraud, Embezzlement, Financial Identify Theft, State Benefits Fraud, Insurance Fraud, Eavesdropping

Felony DUI, Reckless Homicide

• Reckless Homicide, Aggravated DUI, Felony DUI, Felony Driving While License is Suspended or Revoked, Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding, Unlawful Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle

Felony Property Damage Crimes

• Arson, Criminal Damage to Property, Possession of Explosives, Criminal Defacement of Property

Felony Sex Offenses

• Criminal Sexual Assault, Rape, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault, Indecent Solicitation, Sexual Exploitation, Child Pornography

Trial-Tested to Handle all Classes of Illinois Felony Charges

• Attorney Matt Hoffman has actual trial experience with Illinois felony cases charged in the following ranges of severity under Illinois law: Class Super X, Class X, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Class 4. He doesn't just say he has "handled" these kinds of cases. He has actually tried them. Additionally, Hoffman has both prosecuted and defended charges for the conviction of which defendants have been eligible for prison sentences of natural life.

Maximum Possible Penalties for Felony Offenses

In Illinois, felony-level charges fall into varying categories of seriousness and severity. All felony charges are punishable by prison sentences, also known as the state pennitentiary and, in Illinois, specifically known as the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Although they may be punished by prison sentences, many felonies also allow for the imposition of community-based sentences, such as probation or conditional discharge. Conversely, there are certain felony offenses upon the conviction of which the offender must be sent to prison. These types of felony charges are known generally as "non-probabtionable" felony offenses.

• Class 4 felonies carry a possible prison sentence of 1-3 years;
• Class 3 felonies carry a possible prison sentence of 2-5 years;
• Class 2 felonies carry a possible prison sentence of 3-7 years;
• Class 1 felonies carry a possible prison sentence of 4-15 years;
• Class X felonies carry a possible prison sentence of 6-30 years; and
• Murder is its own class.

It must be noted that the penalty ranges listed above are the standard mimum possible prison terms available for Illinois classes of felonies. There are many situations in which the minimum possible penalties may be greater, such as in extended sentence situations or where the legislature has enacted greater minimum sentences for specific crimes.

Lake County, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

Felony court is serious business.  It is not uncommon that a felony charge can have an impact on the rest of a person’s life.  The attorney you select should be experienced in handling all aspects of felony defense: from the investigation and charging of the case, to the bond hearing, the preliminary hearing or indictment, and through the arraignment, pretrial, trial, and sentencing phases of the case.

Felony court is too serious a place to find yourself questioning the skill and ability of your attorney.  Matthew T. Hoffman P.C. derives its fundamental strength in defending all criminal cases from its core experience handling the most challenging and complicated felony matters.  This office will put its experience and dedication to work in vigorously defending your rights.

Former Lake County, Illinois Felony Prosecutor

Matthew T. Hoffman P.C. defends people charged with felonies in Lake County and Cook County, Illinois.  Attorney Matt Hoffman also is available on short notice to appear at felony bond hearings and preliminary hearings in the various area felony courts, including those in Waukegan, Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Bridgeview, 26th and California, and in the branch courts located throughout the City of Chicago.  

Contact this office toll free at (877) 360-1880 for a free initial office consultation and case evaluation.