DuPage County Assault with a Deadly Weapon Attorneys

Fierce Defense to Keep You Out of Prison

Any criminal assault charge can have significant impact on your future, but the stakes are much higher when you are charged with assault with a deadly weapon. The penalties for aggravated assault can include a felony record, state prison, probation and other formal penalties. A criminal conviction for aggravated assault also can adversely impact many other areas of your life, such as personal relationships, career opportunities, child custody proceedings and immigration benefits just to name a few examples.

Why Choose Our Illinois Assault with a Deadly Weapon Lawyers?

Our Chicago aggravated assault lawyers understand the importance of prompt investigation of such charges before witness recollections have faded. Whether we are relentlessly cross-examining the state’s witness or arguing a motion to suppress an incriminating statement obtained in violation of Miranda, we conduct a thorough investigation of witness accounts, police reports and physical evidence.

Our DuPage County assault defense attorneys have represented 12,000 people facing criminal charges. Our professionalism and effectiveness in and out of court provides the foundation upon which our reputation in the national and international legal community is based. Crane Magazine has designated our founding partner Donald Ramsell as “Illinois Leading Lawyer in Illinois Chicago Appeals”. Mr. Ramsell also has been awarded the title of “Illinois Super Lawyer” by Chicago Magazine.

What Does the Prosecutor Need to Prove?

Illinois law defines an assault as engaging in conduct that causes another individual to experience “reasonable apprehension of fear” of injury or violence. Although the alleged victim must be placed in fear of immediate danger, Illinois law does not require that the complaining witness actually suffer injury. Aggravated assault will be charged when an assault is committed with an object that is considered a deadly weapon under Illinois law. While a deadly weapon may be something obvious like a gun or knife, objects like a boot, stone or pipe can constitute a deadly weapon if it is used in a way that could cause death.

Aggravated assault can be either a Class A Misdemeanor or a Class 3 or Class 4 Felony. The classification of assault with a deadly weapons is as follows:

• Class A Misdemeanor: This classification applies when the weapon is not a firearm.
• Class A Misdemeanor or Class 4 Felony: If the assault is committed while using but not discharging a firearm, this conduct constitutes a Class A Misdemeanor. If the victim is a member of certain protected groups like certain public employees, police officers, corrections officers and others, the offense is elevated to a Class 4 Felony.
• Class 4 Felony: If a gun is discharged as part of an assault, this more serious charge will be brought by the prosecutor.
• Class 3 Felony: When a firearm is discharged from a motor vehicle, this will be the grade of the offense.

Aggressive Defense to Aggravated Assault Charges in Illinois

If you are charged with using a firearm, knife, baseball bat or other weapon during an assault, you can face devastating penalties. Our nationally renowned DuPage County assault defense lawyers at Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. provide exemplary representation to individuals facing serious criminal charges in Illinois. We invite you to call us today at 630-256-8001 or to send us an email to schedule your free consultation in our conveniently located office in Naperville, or we can even come to you if you are in custody. We also have offices in Wheaton, St. Charles, and Rolling Meadows.