Just because you were convicted of a crime doesn’t mean that your conviction must forever haunt employment background checks, stop you from becoming a U.S. citizen or remain a deportation threat.
There is no reason to let a youthful mistake, misunderstanding, past criminal record—or especially a criminal identity theft—be a barrier to future opportunities. Many options of post-conviction relief are available to help you, even after you have served time, finished probation, or paid your fines. Relief is critical for clearing the records of victims of criminal identity theft.
Through post-conviction proceedings, the Law Offices of Jonathan Minkus can attempt to lessen the negative consequences of having been convicted of a crime. Your background may be used against you in rental matters, employment and education opportunities, by Immigration and Naturalization—and even socially.
Most crimes in Illinois are charged and prosecuted in state court, so while the types of conduct that qualify as criminal activity are relatively constant throughout the country, it is important to keep in mind that each state’s criminal code is unique. For instance, some states still use the death penalty, which the Illinois Legislature banned in 2011. Similarly, Illinois, like most states, has its own rules and procedures when it comes to sentencing, so it is critical for those who have been accused of committing a criminal offense in Illinois, to speak with an experienced Wheeling criminal defense attorney who is well-versed in state law and can help you formulate a strong defense.
Of the many types of criminal offenses in Illinois, crimes of violence are perhaps considered to be the most serious and are defined as including any offense that involves the use or threat of force against another person. The most commonly charged crimes of violence are assault, battery, robbery, homicide, and sexual assault. These types of offenses are almost always punished harshly, with sentences ranging from a month in jail to life imprisonment. In fact, even seemingly minor offenses, such as a bar fight, could land someone in prison if he or she has a criminal history, an object that qualifies as a weapon was used, a serious injury was sustained, or another aggravating factor exists.
In Illinois, possessing, manufacturing, transporting, selling, and distributing controlled substances is unlawful. The type of charge that a defendant faces depends primarily on the type and amount of the substance in question. For instance, a person who is found in possession of less than 10 grams of cannabis can be charged with a mere civil law violation, which is only punishable by a fine. However, if a person is convicted of possessing up to 100 grams of cannabis, he or she faces misdemeanor penalties, unless the individual has already been convicted of a similar offense on a prior occasion, in which case, the crime could be elevated to a felony.
The possession, sale, or production of other types of controlled substances is penalized more harshly. For instance, anyone found in possession of between 15 and 100 grams of heroin, cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine, or morphine can be charged with a Class 1 felony and could be sentenced to between four and 15 years imprisonment. Those who are charged with multiple offenses face even more burdensome penalties.
Under Illinois law, a person can be charged with theft if there is evidence that he or she knowingly:
The penalties that a defendant faces for a conviction of this type of offense depend on the value of the property in question, the defendant’s criminal record, and where the theft occurred.
To speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer about your own pending charges, please call the Law Offices of Jonathan Minkus at (847) 966-0300 today. Initial consultations are offered free of charge.
My wife and I have tried 3 times for her green card and was rejected three times because of some trouble she was accused of before she spoke English. I asked another Lawyer is there anything we can do and she referred us to Jonathan Minkus. We meet with Jonathan and said he might be able to help us but it would be difficult. Jonathan...
Jonathan helped me to vacate two of charges against me, and both of them are successfully vacated. I had a very good experience working with Jonathan and he is a very kind person and very considerate. I would like to highly recommend someone that has same situation as me to go get help form Jonathan.
For 6 years my wife and I tried to receive our Green Card. After being declined 3 times, I asked our immigration lawyer is there anyway to correct some legal issues my wife fell into before she learned to speak English. We were referred to Jonathan and he has done miracles in clearing her name so we finally have a chance at receiving our Green...
Jonathan is not only a brilliant attorney but he is a genuinely good human being. A petty misdemeanor mistake was holding back our immigration process. We came to him seeking options and hope. Upon meeting Jonathan during our initial consultation, his overwhelming knowledge, positivity and kindness were on full display and we immediately felt hope again. I know in my heart Jonathan deeply cares for...
I highly recommend his services.
Jonathan was the only one willing to help my husband and me during a tough time. My husband was facing deportation and had no chance to beat his case unless Jonathan was able to vacate a previous conviction. Jonathan was persistent and genuinely advocated for my husband and family. Jonathan was able to vacate the 12-year-old conviction with DuPage County, giving us a fighting chance...
I hired Mr. Jonathan Minkus for a criminal drug conviction which I needed removed off of my record that I had pled guilty to over 7 years ago. Without going into too much detail about the difficulty of my case, I would just like to emphasize how difficult it is to convince a Judge 7 years after pleading guilty to drop a charge. Well, Jonathan...
Mr. Minkus did extremely good work on my difficult criminal case for Resisting Arrest . Also he help me save my Commercial Driver License for Agrivated speeding. That means he save my job and my income. This is High Class Lawyer and I would recommended This Lawyer to anyone with deep trouble . Thank You again mr Minkus.
I was wrongfully advised by an immigration lawyer to expunge my criminal record that consisted of a drug related charge in order to apply for residency. My wife and I quickly found out this was not true and were referred by two different lawyers (who did not know one another) to contact Mr. Minkus. We were without hope and filled with stress.
I almost never write reviews and when Mr. Minkus just finished representing my brother and I looked for him online I felt like I had to write this. Yes, he is not the cheapest lawyer around but he did exactly what he said he would do. My brother was being deported and we were sent to Mr. Minkus to try and fix his criminal record.
I hired Mr. Minkus a month ago after a convoluted incident that left me with criminal trespass and criminal damage to property, possibly pending a burglary charge. The confessions I had written and the police notes that were taken while I was in custody painted a very bad portrait of me and the system likely would have given me a severe sentence if not for
My experience with mr. Minkus was outstanding. Mr.Minkus really help me with difficult criminal case for Resisting Arrest and extremely bad traffic ticket for agrivated speeding . I would recommend this lawyer to anyone who are in deep trouble. I would love to say again THANK YOU mr Minkus for Excellent work on my case.
I had a conviction in my record that affect my ability to get my citizenship. Mr Johnatan came highly recommend from my immigration attorney and he was right. Mr Minkus went out of his way to get my conviction changed to the level that won't affect me anymore. I highly recommend his services.
Senior Partner Jonathan Minkus has successfully defended individuals charged with every conceivable criminal offense, from traffic misdemeanors to death-penalty eligible homicides.
Wisconsin Office
P.O. Box 16
Twin Lakes, WI 53181
5225 Old Orchard Rd.
Ste. 23B
Skokie, IL 60077
200 W. Adams St.
Ste. 2211
Chicago, IL 60606
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