Criminal Defense Lawyers

You’ve Been Charged as an Armed Habitual Criminal in Chicago, Now What?

You’ve Been Charged as an Armed Habitual Criminal in Chicago, Now What?

It’s simple, every single client deserves honesty and white glove service. But, take a deep breath, this is a serious situation that requires strategic legal guidance. There’s one reason you’re on this website: you’re looking for an elite criminal defense law firm.Most law firms implement a cookie cutter strategy in order to fight your case, and save their own time. They don‘t look carefully at your situation – they simply want to move on to the next case. At Spodek Law Group, we leave no stone unturned. We do everything possible to win. Everything we do is focused on getting you results.We understand the difficult and challenges of going through a case. If you‘re accused of a crime, schedule a consultation with our criminal attorneys today.

What Does “Armed Habitual Criminal” Mean in Illinois?

In Illinois, being charged as an “armed habitual criminal” means you have:

1. Been convicted of two or more qualifying felonies
2. At least one of those felonies was a forcible felony
3. You were found in possession of a firearm after those convictions

The “armed habitual criminal” charge enhances the penalties for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. It’s essentially a “three strikes” law aimed at cracking down on repeat violent offenders who possess guns.Some examples of forcible felonies that could lead to this charge:

• Armed robbery
• Aggravated battery with a firearm
• Aggravated criminal sexual assault
• Burglary
• Arson

Even if your prior convictions were decades ago, they can still count towards being charged as an armed habitual criminal today if you‘re caught with a firearm.

The Severe Penalties for Armed Habitual Criminals

Being convicted as an armed habitual criminal is a Class X felony in Illinois, one of the most serious classes of crime. The potential penalties are:

• 6-30 years in prison
• Up to $25,000 in fines
• 3 years of mandatory supervised release (parole) 

With such harsh consequences, it’s critical to have an experienced criminal defense attorney fighting for you. An armed habitual criminal charge is extremely complex, we’ll break it down step-by-step.

Breaking Down the Armed Habitual Criminal Charge

For a successful armed habitual criminal conviction, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt:

1. You were previously convicted of two or more qualifying felonies
2. At least one of those felonies was a forcible felony
3. You possessed a firearm after those convictions

Let’s look at each of those elements more closely:

Previous Felony Convictions

The prosecution must show certified copies of your previous felony conviction records. But, not all felonies qualify under the statute. Specifically excluded are:

• Felony convictions for cannabis offenses
• Felony convictions for vehicle offenses
• Felony convictions for tax offenses

Your defense attorney will scrutinize your criminal history to determine if any convictions should be excluded and challenge their admissibility as evidence.

Forcible Felony Requirement

At least one of your prior felony convictions must have been a “forcible felony” involving the use or threat of physical force or violence against an individual. Some common forcible felonies are armed robbery, aggravated battery, and aggravated criminal sexual assault. But, the law provides a long list of qualifying offenses.Your lawyer will examine whether the state can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that one of your priors truly meets the “forcible felony” definition.

Possession of a Firearm

The prosecution must prove you knowingly possessed a firearm after the two or more qualifying felony convictions. Possession can be actual or constructive. Actual possession means you had the firearm on your person or within your immediate physical control. Constructive possession means you had the power and intent to exercise control over the firearm, even if it was located elsewhere.There are various legal defenses your attorney may raise, such as:

• You had no knowledge the firearm was present
• The firearm was inoperable
• You were forced to possess the firearm against your will
• The police search that discovered the firearm violated your 4th Amendment rights

As you can see, an armed habitual criminal charge has many complex elements the state must prove. With the right legal strategy, it may be possible to get the charges reduced or dismissed entirely.

Sentencing Considerations for Armed Habitual Criminals

If convicted as an armed habitual criminal, there is a 6-30 year sentencing range the judge must weigh based on factors like:

• Your specific criminal history
• Any aggravating factors in the current offense (ex: the firearm was loaded)
• Mitigating factors (ex: the firearm was inherited from a relative)
• Potential for rehabilitation
• Impact statements from victims
• Sentencing recommendations from prosecutors and your defense

Your defense attorney’s ability to develop a compelling sentencing narrative and advocate for the lowest possible sentence is crucial.

Why You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer

Sometimes prosecutors will only be fair if you respond with force to them. Without an attorney advising you, you might accidentally plead guilty when you could‘ve won the case. The only way to truly know is to hire a private criminal defense attorney.At Spodek Law Group – we pride ourselves on taking a hands-on approach. It means researching the exact situation surrounding your case, and putting in the leg work to be familiar with every single intimate detail. Our firm has excellent work ethics, and we constantly hold firm meetings in order to discuss and address all of our cases. In the event of an emergency – we have a full team of lawyers available to help you.Regardless of how tough your situation is – we are here to help you. Our criminal defense lawyers work hard to have a solution for you, irrespective of the situation you find yourself in. Many clients are often embarrassed by their situation, and don’t speak openly about their alleged issue. We encourage open dialogue, and recommend full transparency – so we can give you the best possible legal advice.