Belleville Violent Crimes Lawyer

Few offenses carry as great of judgment or consequence as those considered violent crimes. Not everyone facing these charges is without a defense to the allegations against them. Many of those facing charges of violent crimes are people who were protecting themselves, their families, or others from an imminent threat of harm.

In Illinois, violent crime charges carry some of the most severe penalties. If convicted, you could face decades in prison with no chance for probation in some circumstances, even if you were trying to defend yourself. Beyond that, the stigma that remains from these charges, especially when convicted of a Class X or Class M felony, can pose a serious threat to your life and liberty for decades to come.

The Conner Law Firm defends violent crime charges in southern Illinois, with first hand knowledge of how the prosecution builds their case. As the former division head of violent crimes for the prosecution, Erin Conner brings both prosecutorial insight and extensive defense experience to protect your freedom and future. Reach out today to secure that insight and experience to help you fight for your freedom.

Violent Crime Charges We Defend

Facing violent crime charges in Illinois requires immediate, aggressive, and knowledgeable legal representation to fight the severe penalties in this category. The Conner Law Firm is seasoned at defending individuals against the most serious charges to uphold their constitutional rights throughout the process. No matter what kind of violent crime charges you’re going up against, you’ll want us in your corner for the strongest defense you can possibly have.

First Degree Murder

Under 720 ILCS 5/9-1, an individual is alleged to have committed first-degree murder when a person kills without lawful justification while: (1) intending to kill/do great bodily harm, or (2) knowing their actions create a strong probability of death/serious injury, or (3) while committing a forcible felony. If convicted, you face a mandatory prison sentence of 20 to 60 years with that range increasing to 45 to 85 years if a firearm was used in the commission of the crime. For exceptionally brutal actions or if the victim was a police officer or firefighter, you may face a natural life sentence.

Second Degree Murder

A person commits second-degree murder this when they commit first-degree murder but are acting under a sudden and intense passion resulting from serious provocation, or if they hold an unreasonable belief that the killing was justified. Illinois law makes second-degree murder a Class 1 felony, with a period of incarceration of between 4 and 20 years, although the charge is granted probation in extremely rare instances. Murders in this classification are considered in the heat of the moment and although it is a lesser charge than murder in the first degree, incarceration is almost guaranteed if convicted.

Attempted Murder

Attempted murder occurs when with intent to commit a specific offense, first-degree murder, they do any act constituting a substantial step toward that offense. Attempted murder is subject to a sentencing range of 20 to 80 years in the Department of Corrections.

Armed Robbery

Under 720 ILCS 5/18-2, armed robbery is also a Class X felony, committed by using a dangerous weapon while committing theft. Armed Robbery would normally provide 6 to 30 years for a prison sentence, though the following enhancements apply: i. If a firearm was carried by the person or in some way aremd with a firearm, 15 years is added to the range of sentence; ii. If a firearm was discharged in the commission of the offense, 20 years is added to the range of sentence; iii. If an individual personally discharges a firearm that proximately causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, or death to another person int he course of committing an armed robbery, the sentence is enhanced to a minimum of 25 years to natural life in prison.

Home Invasion

Home invasions fall under 720 ILCS 5/19-6, and are committed when a person knowingly enters the dwelling place of another when they know or have reason to believe the dwelling is occupied by one or more people, and while therein, use force, threaten the use of force, intentionally cause injury, discharge a firearm which causes injury, or commits a crime of sexual violence. Due to the wide range of ways in which the case may be charged, and the differing levels of use or threat of use of force, the potential sentencing range for this crime can be anywhere from a standard Class X felony of 6 to 30 years of incarceration, up to a possible 25 years to natural life, depending on the circumstances. Home invasion is also a crime that the legislature has required to be served subject to the Illinois Truth-in-Sentencing statute, where 85% of the sentence must be served before you may be eligible for parole, if at all.

Aggravated Battery

Under 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05, aggravated battery could be a Class 3 felony or up to a Class X felony, depending on the severity of injuries to the victim and whether they were a vulnerable member of the population or a peace officer. Aggravated battery can be charged many different ways, based on whether the battery took place, the status of the victim, the severity of the injury, and whether a weapon was utilized in the commission of the crime. Generally, Class 3 felonies are punished with 2 to 5 years of potential incarceration, though more serious felony classes can range from 6 to 30 years.

Arson and Aggravated Arson

Both arson and aggravated arson are felonies, though aggravated arson involves committing this crime while knowing it is occupied or causing injury, making it a Class X felony. For aggravated arson, convictions result in 6 to 30 years in prison. Both charges face a potential registration requirement similar to the sex offender registration requirement.

Firearm Sentencing Enhancements

Using a firearm to commit a crime in Illinois means firearm sentencing enhancements can be applied to the charges. A mandatory 15-20-25-to-life enhancement can be added to violent crimes with an additional 15 years if you were armed with a firearm. These enhancements make for strong bargaining chips to push defendants to consider plea deals where the prosecution would agree to remove the enhancement.

Every single violent crime charge truly requires experienced criminal defense. Whether the situation arises out of a domestic relationship, a business relationship gone wrong, or a random act against a random person, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner immediately to stay ahead of the prosecution’s case strategy and fight the charges for the sake of your freedom.

Self-Defense and Justification in Illinois

Violent crimes happen to be among the most misunderstood, especially in terms of self-defense and justification in Illinois. According to 720 ILCS 5/7-1, force is justified in circumstances where it is deemed reasonably necessary to prevent imminent harm. A deeper look at these laws may hold the key for case strategy in defending these crimes.

Illinois Self-Defense Laws (720 ILCS 5/7-1)

You are justified in using force against someone else when you reasonably believe you need to defend yourself or someone else from impending unlawful force. Using deadly force can be justified to prevent death, great bodily harm, or to halt a forcible felony such as burglary, robbery, or arson. There is an initial aggressor exception that deems self-defense is not available when they initially provoke the use of force against themselves unless they have gone through all other means of escape.

Castle Doctrine (720 ILCS 5/7-2)

The Illinois Castle Doctrine means you do not have a duty to retreat if you are attacked in your own home. Similar protections may apply to occupied vehicles that allow you to stand your ground through justified use of force. There are significant differences when it comes to what force may be used to protect property vs. protecting a person from death or great bodily harm.

Affirmative Defense Requirements

In order to use these defenses against violent crimes, you need to prove that the threat of harm was happening or about to happen at that moment. The force you use must also be proportional to the threat issued.

Imperfect Self-Defense

In this circumstance, you may have killed another person using force under the belief that this force was needed for to protect yourself, or another person. The law considers it “imperfect” self-defense, which can reduce first-degree murder charges to second-degree. With Ms. Conner understanding the way prosecutors will pursue cases like these, it is vital to have her on your side to protect you from prosecutors attempts to block submission of self defense from a jury’s consideration.

How a Former Violent Crimes Prosecutor Defends You

When you’re facing serious criminal charges like violent crimes, having an attorney who understands both sides of the courtroom is a complete game-changer. Erin K. Conner is a seasoned criminal defense attorney who brings a unique perspective to her clients with her former experience as a supervisor of the Violent Crimes Unit, which prosecuted the very charges you or a loved one now face. This experience gives her precise knowledge of exact pressure points, strategies, and weaknesses to achieve the best outcome possible in your case.

Unmatched Insider Knowledge

Erin knows how law enforcement gathers evidence, the techniques they use during interviews, and what is required to file charges. She uses this to analyze what evidence the prosecution has against you, develop a defense strategy specific to your case, and plan an attack on the prosecution's case against you.

Key Defense Strategies

With Erin’s background, she is able to scrutinize reports for procedural errors and challenge the reliability of forensic evidence. Filing motions to suppress evidence obtained in a violation of constitutional rights and making strategic negotiations are other ways she works to get results for her clients.

Leveraging her extensive trial experiences allows her to handle every type of violent crime charge and fiercely defend her clients in the courtroom. By choosing Erin K. Conner, you are not just hiring a defense attorney, you are hiring a former prosecutor who knows exactly how the prosecution will fight, giving you the strongest defense possible. Do not wait it out or retain an attorney who does not have the knowledge or experience to handle complicated violent crimes cases. Schedule your consultation with Erin and see the difference it makes to have someone who understands both the prosecution and the defense when crafting case strategy.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Call (618) 277-2421 or contact the office online to schedule your initial consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Class X felony in Illinois?

A Class X felony is the most serious felony category in the state of Illinois outside of murder which is categorized as Class M. When a Class X felony is charged, it is because the crimes committed pose a huge threat to public safety. Those convicted of standard Class X felonies are sentenced to state prison terms ranging from 6 to 30 years with probation not available. In the event of aggravating factors, such as prior convictions or charge specific aggravating factors, the prison term could increase to natural life. Common violent crime charges that are upgraded to aggravated status are aggravated robbery, home invasion, and aggravated battery of a child.

Can I claim self-defense if I'm charged with murder?

Yes, you can claim self-defense if you are charged with murder, but there are strict conditions under Illinois law. The law in this state allows you to use force in self-defense in situations where you reasonably believe this is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily harm. It is also an acceptable defense when preventing the commission of a forcible felony, however, you will need strong evidence that it was self-defense.

When you present evidence of your self-defense, the burden then shifts to prosecutors to prove that your actions were not made in self-defense.

What are the penalties for armed robbery in Illinois?

Penalties for armed robbery in Illinois start with a base sentence that can range from 6 to 30 years in prison. If you were armed with a firearm, another mandatory 15 years of prison time is added to your sentence. In the event the judge would provide you with the lowest sentencing time for the base charge, that would be 6 years plus the mandatory 15 for being armed with a firearm, making the minimum time you’d serve 21 years.

Discharging a firearm during an armed robbery adds a 20-year mandatory enhancement to your sentence. If discharging the firearm caused someone else injury or was responsible for their death, you will have a mandatory enhancement of 25 years to natural life added. Once this time has been served, you also face a mandatory parole period for 3 years after getting out of prison.

Contact The Conner Law Firm

Violent crimes come with a huge stigma, and for many facing these charges, they have only acted in self-defense to protect themselves or the ones they love. Others may be mistaken for someone else, and with such strong penalties, the time to take action is immediately. Every hour matters and as the seconds tick by on the clock, key evidence disappears and witnesses start forgetting crucial details that can keep you from being sentenced.

The Conner Law Firm defends violent crime charges in St. Clair, Monroe, and Madison Counties, and throughout southern Illinois, with former Violent Crimes Unit Supervisor Erin K. Conner bringing prosecutorial insight and extensive criminal defense experience to the table for you. If you are facing violent crime charges, call 618-277-2421 immediately to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney who will stand up for your rights.