Chicago Criminal Attorney

How Your Case Could Benefit from a Defense Lawyer

We are the Law Offices of Howard J. Wise & Associates, a seasoned criminal defense firm serving the Chicago, Illinois area. Our attorneys are former prosecutors and know the criminal system inside and out. We know what it takes to effectively defend clients against criminal charges and have used that knowledge to skillfully protect those charged with all types of criminal offenses, including the most serious felony offenses such as murder. Our goal is to preserve our clients' rights and futures.

There is a lot at stake in a criminal charge. You may face prison, fines, restitution, loss of driver's license and other limitations on freedom depending on the charge. You may also face a criminal record with loss of reputation and barriers to obtaining a job, a loan, or even a license. It is vital for those charged with crimes to obtain strong and experienced representation to defend them. If you have been charged with a crime, we urge you to contact a Chicago criminal lawyer from our firm. Our legal team assists clients with aggressive defense tactics for any of the following criminal charges:

Assault
The serious penalties that accompany a conviction for assault can be combatted with the help of a criminal attorney from our firm. Assault can mean physical contact, verbal attack, or even just the threat of contact, making charges of this nature easy to come by. Therefore, you need to ensure that you are protected when charges of assault are made in your name. Read more about assault.

Battery
The physical contact or bodily harm of another is enough to elicit charges of battery. Should you be convicted of battery you could be facing serious penalties and hefty fines. However, charges do not have to mean conviction, and a defense lawyer from our firm can help actively take steps to have your charges dropped or reduced. Read more about battery.

Criminal Appeals
The ruling of a court or the decision of a judge do not have to put an end to your legal proceedings. If you feel that your case was unfairly or unjustly tried, then you can appeal the ruling and contest the decision that was made. During an appeal, a criminal attorney can help make sure that no evidence is overlooked and everything is thoroughly reviewed. Read more about criminal appeals.

Domestic Violence
False accusations of domestic violence are made all too frequently. In fact, they are common among splitting or divorcing couples. Accusations of domestic violence almost always result in arrest, whether or not the allegations were true. As such, it will be imperative that you seek legal representation in the aftermath of an allegation and arrest of this nature. Read more about domestic violence.

Driver's License Reinstatement
License suspension and revocation often result from excessive traffic violations or DUI offenses. The loss of a driver's license can be debilitating for those who rely on auto transportation in their daily lives. Therefore, a DUI attorney from our firm can help you take steps to reinstate your license, even if it means applying for a Secretary of State administrative hearing. Read more about driver's license reinstatement.

Drug Crimes
Many drug crimes result in prison time, hefty fines, and probation. The severity of the penalties will depend primarily on the type of drug and the amount involved. Multiple offenses, the location of offense, and injuries could also factor in to the decision of penalty making. A drug crime of any nature, even if only for marijuana, needs to be represented by a Chicago criminal lawyer if you wish to stand any chance of a reduced or dropped sentence. Read more about drug crimes.

DUI Charges
Being arrested and charged with driving under the influence has the potential to wreak havoc on your life, as it often leads to license suspension, jail time, expensive fines, and sometimes more. However, these penalties can be better avoided or challenged with the help of a Chicago criminal lawyer who knows how the prosecution thinks and acts. At The Law Offices of Howard J. Wise & Associates, you will be represented by a team of former prosecutors. Read more about DUI charges.

Expungements & Record Sealing
Marks on your criminal record can be concealed and hidden from the general public when you take action to have your record legally sealed through expungement. Employers, landlords, etc. will be unable to access the confidential information of a sealed record, making your job-seeking and house-hunting experiences more normal. However, only certain criminal offenses are eligible for expungement. Read more about expungement and record sealing.

Federal Charges
Crimes worthy of federal criminal proceedings are those severe enough to bypass state-level hearings. These include crimes against the federal government, crimes spanning state lines or national borders, and crimes committed on federal property. Federally tried crimes are notoriously more complex and often issue harsher rulings. Therefore, you will need a defense attorney who is not only familiar with the federal trial system, but one who can aggressively work to defend your rights and future. Read more about federal charges.

Felony Crimes
Felony crimes are those serious enough in nature to warrant no less than one year in prison and up to a lifetime behind bars. In some cases, the death penalty may be enforced for an individual found guilty of certain felony offenses. Hefty fines are also a consequence of conviction. Felons could later have difficulty seeking employment, finding a home, and obtaining professional licensure. Read more about felony crimes.

Internet and Computer Crimes
The complexity surrounding internet laws and computer activity has resulted in a number of criminal accusations and charges for online offenses. Among the most common internet and computer crimes are white collar crimes such as fraud, as well as sex crimes such as child pornography. These are serious accusations that should only be handled by a defense lawyer who is prepared to handle your case at either the state or federal level. Read more about internet and computer crimes.

Juvenile Defense
A separate court system exists in Illinois which is used to try most criminal offenses which are committed by any individual under the age of 18. The Juvenile Court System is geared towards different objectives than the adult criminal system, and as such needs to be handled by a Chicago attorney who is familiar with the laws and proceedings used most often in juvenile court cases. Read more about juvenile defense.

Misdemeanor Offenses
Misdemeanor offenses may not be as serious as felony offenses, but they still carry consequences that could affect your daily lifestyle. Therefore, they too need to be represented by a criminal lawyer who can fight to reduce the charges made in your name, and perhaps drop them altogether. Read more about misdemeanor offenses.

Murder/ Manslaughter
Years, sometimes even an entire lifetime, can be spent in jail when a person is convicted of murder or manslaughter. These are cases which are not taken lightly, and instances of mistaken identity and self-defense which result in death will still be tried as a criminal case. If you have been accused of murder or manslaughter, then you will need an aggressive attorney from our firm who can vehemently defend you against the allegations that have been made in your name. Read more about murder/ manslaughter.

Probation Violations
The terms and conditions of a probation are meant to be strictly adhered to, and when they aren't further jail time could be in your future. Offenses as minor as failing to check in with your probation officer and as major as possessing an illegal drug or a weapon are all considered types of probation violations which could land you back in jail. Read more about probation violations.

Sex Crimes
If you have been accused of a sex crime then you have cause to take immediate legal action. Sex crime allegations are some of the most serious accusations out there and they often result in severe penalties, not to mention mandated registry as a national sex offender. Read more about sex crimes.

Theft
The total amount of the goods taken during the commission of any type of theft crime will determine the penalties you incur. Generally, valued goods of $300 or less will be classified as misdemeanor offenses assuming no force or violence were used. However, offenses beyond this nature could be charged as felonies and punished by up to five years in prison and $25,000 in fines. Read more about theft.

Traffic Violations
A traffic violation may seem minor at the time, but it can lead to serious hikes on your auto insurance. Additionally, the accumulation of a slew of traffic violations could lead to license suspension or revocation. It is important that you obtain legal defense after even one minor traffic violation so you can proactively ensure that negative consequences such as raised insurance premiums and loss of license do not happen to you. Read more about traffic violations.

Weapons Charges
In Chicago, all residents who wish to own firearms are required to register for a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card. Without this, anyone carrying a weapon will be considered to be in violation of the law. Imprisonment and further harsh penalties could result for individuals found to be in violation of this law. Read more about weapons charges.

Our firm thoroughly reviews the evidence for defenses against the charges. We are alert to violations of our clients’ Constitutional rights. Where there has been an illegal search, we demand that the evidence be suppressed. If our client has been coerced into a confession in violation of his rights, we insist that the confession be thrown out. We know how important this case is to our clients and are relentless in pressing for dismissal or acquittal.

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Chicago

We know how stressful the time surrounding a criminal arrest may be for you. Our commitment is to treat you with respect and as an individual. Our purpose is to help you beat your charges so you can move on. We are prepared to assist in a wide variety of matters and have extensive experience in defending all types of serious criminal charges. We are former prosecutors who have handled thousands of criminal cases and are ready to put our experience to work for you. When you are in legal trouble move quickly to contact our firm so that our defense team can evaluate the situation and advise you how on we will move forward with defending your case.

Contact a Chicago criminal attorney to discuss your case.