Gun Lawyer Chicago

Charged with a Gun Offense in Illinois

Chicago Gun Lawyer Michael P. Schmiege handles all weapon offenses, misdemeanors and felonies in state and federal court. If you or a loved one have been arrest and charged with a gun or weapon offense it is important that you contact a Chicago gun attorney immediately. Your future and freedom is at stake. The gun laws are the State of Illinois and City of Chicago can be very confusing and constantly are changing so if you have been charged with a gun offense you probably have numerous questions about how the criminal justice system deals with weapon offenders and what possible outcome of the charges exist. Michael P. Schmiege is a Chicago weapon offense lawyers who handles gun charges in Chicago and Illinois on a regular basis. Everyone knows that the police and prosecutors are out to get gun offenders so it is important to hire an experienced Illinois Gun Lawyer.

Illinois Gun Laws

In the State of Illinois the illegal possession of a firearm is charged as Unlawful Use of a Weapon and is routinely referred to by the police, lawyers and judges as UUW. The Chicago attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael P. Schmiege are Chicago UUW Lawyers. In Illinois Unlawful use of a Weapon applies to not only firearms but all illegal weapons including knifes, switchblades and brass knuckles to name a few.

Under 720 ILCS 5/24-1 a person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly: (1) Sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses or carries any bludgeon, black-jack, slung-shot, sand-club, sand-bag, metal knuckles or other knuckle weapon regardless of its composition, throwing star, or any knife, commonly referred to as a switchblade knife, which has a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in the handle of the knife, or a ballistic knife, which is a device that propels a knifelike blade as a projectile by means of a coil spring, elastic material or compressed gas; or (2) Carries or possesses with intent to use the same unlawfully against another, a dagger, dirk, billy, dangerous knife, razor, stiletto, broken bottle or other piece of glass, stun gun or taser or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character; or (3) Carries on or about his person or in any vehicle, a tear gas gun projector or bomb or any object containing noxious liquid gas or substance, other than an object containing a non-lethal noxious liquid gas or substance designed solely for personal defense carried by a person 18 years of age or older; or (4) Carries or possesses in any vehicle or concealed on or about his person except when on his land or in his own abode or fixed place of business any pistol, revolver, stun gun or taser or other firearm, except that this subsection (a) (4) does not apply to or affect transportation of weapons that meet one of the following conditions: (i) are broken down in a non-functioning state; or (ii) are not immediately accessible; or (iii) are unloaded and enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container by a person who has been issued a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card.

Complex Illinois Weapon Laws

As you can see the weapon laws of the State of Illinois are very complicated and need to be handled by an experienced Chicago criminal defense attorney. In the State of Illinois if you are charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon and that weapon is a firearm then you are facing a Class 4 Felony in certain circumstances that is non-probationable and punishable by 1-3 years in prison. Based on the serious nature of the offense and the possible consequences that it can have on your freedom and future it is important that you contact an experienced attorney from the Law Offices of Michael P. Schmiege.

Chicago Gun Attorneys Here to Help You

We will use our experience to win your case or get your case dismissed or a not guilty verdict at trial. In the alternative, we will use our negotiating skills to convince the court and the prosecutor to come with an effective and constructive sentencing option that gives you the best chance of avoiding jail and fine. We have your best interest in mind when handling your case. Please be weary of lawyers looking to just plead you guilty. At the firm we are experienced trial lawyers and Chicago criminal defense attorneys who will fight with you to the end to protect your rights and freedom.

Contact a Chicago Criminal Attorney Michael P. Schmiege at once if you have been charged with a weapons offense.