Elmhurst Criminal Defense Attorneys

Being arrested and charged with a crime can be a frightening experience. A criminal charge can affect a person's freedom and finances, since a conviction may lead to large fines and a jail sentence. A person may also face other consequences that will continue to have an impact on their life, including a possible loss of employment, difficulty finding work or a place to live due to a criminal record, and damage to their reputation. People in Elmhurst who are facing criminal charges will need to understand what will happen during their case and what options they have for building a strong defense.

At Goostree Law Group, our lawyers work with clients in Elmhurst to address serious criminal accusations and defend against convictions. With years of courtroom experience, a thorough understanding of the applicable laws, and familiarity with local court procedures in DuPage County, we can determine the best steps to take to address the accusations our clients are facing.

We take a compassionate approach to every case, recognizing that a criminal charge can place a great deal of stress on a person's life and their family. We work closely with clients to understand the details of a case and the specific accusations they are facing. We will provide the representation needed to help clients achieve the best possible results, whether that involves negotiating agreements with prosecutors or taking cases to trial.

Domestic Violence and Assault Charges

People who are accused of domestic violence may face serious consequences, including criminal charges involving alleged injuries and orders of protection that could affect family law matters such as child custody cases. A person could be charged with domestic battery based on accusations that they intentionally injured a member of their family or household. In some cases, these charges may be based only on allegations of physical contact that was considered to be aggressive or insulting, such as a shove or slap.

When fights or physical confrontations occur in non-domestic situations, a person could be charged with assault. The specific charges may involve assault in which a person allegedly acted in a threatening manner, or a person may be charged with battery based on accusations of intentional injuries or provocative contact. Cases involving aggravating factors, such as serious physical injuries or the use of a weapon, may lead to felony charges and more severe penalties.

These cases may involve conflicting accounts about what happened, and emotions between the parties can run high. Our lawyers will examine the circumstances surrounding an alleged incident carefully, looking at witness statements, physical evidence, and any history between the parties that may affect the credibility of the accusations. We will work to defend against convictions while also addressing orders of protection or related legal concerns.

Theft Charges

There are a variety of situations where people may be charged with theft. Retail theft or shoplifting charges may apply when a person is accused of taking merchandise from a store without paying for it, altering price tags to pay less than the actual cost, or otherwise obtaining items without paying their full price. The penalties for retail theft may depend on the value of the merchandise that was allegedly stolen. While misdemeanor charges will often apply, an offense may be charged as a felony in cases involving valuable merchandise or a pattern of multiple incidents of retail theft.

General theft charges can apply to a broader range of conduct, including situations where a person is accused of taking property or funds that were entrusted to them, which is known as embezzlement. People may also be accused of fraud if they allegedly used deception to obtain money or property, such as by writing bad checks, convincing people to invest in scams, or otherwise misusing positions of trust.

As with retail theft charges, the severity of other types of theft charges will depend on the amounts that were allegedly stolen. Our attorneys can take steps to build an effective defense by carefully reviewing financial documentation, transaction histories, and other evidence and taking steps to show that our client did not intend to permanently deprive someone else of their money or property.