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A felony charge is one of the most serious legal challenges a person can face. Unlike lesser offenses, a felony conviction can mean years in prison, steep fines, and a permanent criminal record that follows you for the rest of your life. It can cost you your job, your right to own a firearm, your professional licenses, and even your reputation in the community.
At Patton Moore Perry, LLC, we understand what you are up against, and we know how to fight back. Our attorneys have defended clients against serious felony charges throughout McLean County and central Illinois, and we bring that experience to bear on every case.
Call (309) 808-0562 today for a free and confidential consultation.
When you are facing a felony, you need more than just any lawyer. You need a defense team with the experience, resources, and determination to take on the most serious charges. We approach every felony case with the seriousness it demands, knowing that our client’s freedom and future are on the line.
Felony cases are complex, and the stakes could not be higher. Prosecutors devote significant resources to these cases, and they have the full power of the state behind them. To level the playing field, you need an attorney who understands how these cases are built and who knows how to dismantle them. Our attorneys bring years of experience in Illinois criminal courts and a deep understanding of felony law and procedure.
Felony charges cover a broad range of offenses, from drug crimes to violent offenses to serious property and financial crimes. Our firm has the experience to defend clients against the full spectrum of felony charges under Illinois law. No matter what you are facing, we bring the same dedication and skill to your defense.
We represent clients charged with felony drug offenses, including possession, manufacturing, and distribution of controlled substances. Drug charges can escalate quickly to the felony level depending on the substance and quantity involved, and the penalties can be severe.
We also defend clients against violent felony charges, such as aggravated assault and battery, robbery, and other offenses involving alleged harm or threats to another person. These cases often turn on questions of intent, self-defense, and the credibility of witnesses. We investigate thoroughly and build defenses grounded in the facts.
Property and financial crimes make up another significant part of our practice. These include felony theft, burglary, fraud, forgery, and other white collar offenses. Such cases frequently involve complex documentation and financial records, and our attorneys know how to analyze the evidence and expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
We handle many other serious charges as well, including weapons offenses, certain repeat offenses that are elevated to felonies, and probation violations that carry felony exposure. Each type of charge carries its own penalties and defense strategies, and we tailor our approach to the specifics of your case.
Whatever the charge, the consequences of a felony conviction are too serious to leave to chance.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor Charges in Illinois
Understanding the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor is essential to understanding what you are facing. In Illinois, crimes are broadly divided into these two categories, and the distinction has enormous consequences for your potential penalties and your future.
Misdemeanors are the less serious of the two categories. They are typically punishable by fines, probation, and up to a limited period of time in county jail. While a misdemeanor is less serious than a felony, it is still a criminal offense that can leave a permanent mark on your record and affect your life in meaningful ways.
Felonies are the most serious crimes under Illinois law, and they carry the harshest penalties. Illinois classifies felonies into several levels based on the seriousness of the offense, ranging from the most serious classes down to lower-level felonies. A felony conviction can cost you the right to possess a firearm, create barriers to employment and housing, affect professional licenses, and carry a lasting social stigma.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to defending a felony case. The right strategy depends on the specific facts, the evidence, the charges, and your goals. What every strong defense has in common is thorough preparation and a willingness to challenge the prosecution at every turn.
Our attorneys build each defense from the ground up, tailored to the unique circumstances of your case. Throughout the process, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This preparation strengthens our position in negotiations and ensures that, if trial becomes necessary, we are ready. Prosecutors take a well-prepared defense seriously, and that seriousness often translates into better outcomes for our clients.
If you believe you are under investigation, contacting an attorney right away can be one of the most important decisions you make.
While every case is different, most follow a similar path through the criminal justice system. The process often begins with an arrest and an initial court appearance, where you learn the formal charges and conditions of release are addressed. Early in the case, having an attorney is critical, because decisions made at this stage can affect everything that follows. We work quickly to protect your rights and begin building your defense.
As the case proceeds, there is typically a period of investigation and pretrial proceedings. During this phase, both sides exchange information, and your attorney reviews the evidence, files motions, and may seek to have certain evidence suppressed. This is often where much of the real work of a defense takes place, out of the courtroom and behind the scenes.
Many cases are resolved during this pretrial phase through negotiation. If a resolution cannot be reached and the case proceeds to trial, the evidence is presented and a judge or jury decides the outcome. Throughout, our attorneys advocate vigorously on your behalf, whether at the negotiating table or in the courtroom.
We know how stressful this process can be, and we are committed to standing with you through all of it. We keep you informed, answer your questions, and make sure you understand your options at every stage. You are never alone in this.
A criminal record can create obstacles long after a case is over. Fortunately, Illinois law provides mechanisms to clear or limit access to certain records through expungement and sealing.
Expungement is the more complete form of relief. When a record is expunged, it is generally erased or destroyed, effectively removing it from public view as though the arrest or case never occurred. This is a powerful remedy, but it is available only for certain records under Illinois law, typically those that did not result in a conviction.
Sealing is a related but distinct remedy. When a record is sealed, it is hidden from most of the public, though certain entities such as law enforcement may still access it under specific circumstances. Sealing can be available for a broader range of records than expungement, including some convictions, depending on the offense and the time that has passed.
Eligibility for expungement or sealing depends on several factors, including the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and how much time has elapsed. Illinois law sets out detailed rules, and some offenses are excluded from relief altogether.
If a past criminal record is holding you back, we encourage you to reach out. Even if you are not sure whether you qualify, a conversation with our attorneys can help you understand your options. We are here to help you take control of your future.
For clients in the Bloomington area, our firm offers comprehensive Illinois expungement and record sealing services. Illinois has one of the more developed frameworks in the country for clearing criminal records, and recent years have seen expanded opportunities for relief. Understanding how the Illinois system works is the key to taking advantage of it.
When you are facing a felony, the attorney you choose can make all the difference in the outcome of your case and the course of your life. Our criminal defense team combines deep experience, local knowledge, and a relentless commitment to our clients. We understand what is at stake, and we treat every case with the seriousness it deserves.
Families are often frightened and unsure of how to help, and they have questions of their own. Within the bounds of confidentiality, we work to keep the lines of communication open and to help your family understand the process and what to expect.
A felony is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and carries harsher penalties, including the possibility of a prison sentence and long-term consequences such as the loss of certain rights. A misdemeanor is less serious but still a criminal offense. The classification of your charge has a major impact on what you are facing.
Not necessarily. Depending on the charge and the circumstances, alternatives to prison, such as probation, may be available. The outcome depends on many factors, including the specific charge, your history, and the strength of your defense. Our attorneys work to pursue the best possible result for your situation.
In some cases, yes. Through skilled negotiation or by challenging the prosecution’s evidence, it may be possible to have a felony charge reduced to a lesser offense or dismissed entirely. Whether this is possible depends on the facts of your case. We examine every avenue for protecting you.
Felony cases can take anywhere from a few months to much longer, depending on the complexity of the case and whether it goes to trial. We work as efficiently as possible while making sure your defense is thorough. We keep you informed about the expected timeline throughout.
If you cannot afford an attorney, you have a right to a public defender, who can provide capable representation. However, private attorneys are often able to devote more focused time and resources to a case. We are happy to discuss how our firm can help and what representation would look like for you.
As soon as possible, ideally before you speak with law enforcement about the allegations. Early involvement allows an attorney to protect your rights and begin building your defense from the start. The sooner we get involved, the more we can do to help.
