How To Find The Best Gun Rights Attorney In Illinois
Finding the best gun rights attorney in Illinois can be a daunting task. This is one of the most important steps in the legal process, especially if you have been charged with a firearms or weapons offense. Finding a attorney you can trust should not be an afterthought. It should be a priority on your list.
Firearms forums and gun rights organizations that are native to Illinois can be readily accessed online . These are great resources that are available to be used in conjunction with this site and friends and family to locate good attorneys who have your best interest in mind.
Solicit Illinois Gun Rights Attorney Referrals From Friends, Family, And Business Associates
When soliciting referrals from friends, family or business associates, find out what type of firearms case it was. Find out how much time has passed since the case, and if the attorney has changed firms or areas of practice.
An attorney that has changed firms or areas of practice may no longer be handling firearms related cases. They may not have taken refresher courses on new firearms legislation as he or she would have done, if they were still handling such cases on a weekly basis.
What Defines A Illinois Gun Rights Attorney ?
A Illinois gun rights attorney is much more than someone whom you contact to see about restoring your gun rights. They are someone that truly believes in your right to self defense, your right to carry a firearm and strongly believes that every citizen that can legally do so, has the right to keep and bear arms as defined in the Second Amendment.
Types Of Weapons Offenses That A Illinois Gun Rights Attorney May Handle
- Unlawful Use Of A Weapon (UUW)
- Denial of Firearms Purchase
- Denial of Illinois Concealed Carry Permit
- Armed Habitual Criminal
- Unlawful Possession Of A Assault Weapon
- Possession Of A Deadly Weapon
- Carrying Weapons In Unauthorized Locations
- Aggravated Discharge Of A Firearm
- Unlawful Transportation Of A Firearm
- Possession Of A Firearm Without A Firearms Owner Identification Card “FOID”
- Convicted Felon In Possession Of A Firearm
- Unlawful Use Of A Weapon By Felon
- Possession Of A Short Barrel Shot Gun Or Rifle
- Criminal Defense
The above are just a few of the weapons offense cases that a Illinois gun rights attorney may handle.
Know The Expense Involved You Want The Best Weapons Defense Attorney That You Can Afford
Everyone would like to be able to hire the “best” gun rights attorney in Illinois, however, can you afford that attorney ?
The average cost of a weapons defense attorney in Illinois can range from $250.00 to $500.00 per hour. For a simple misdemeanor charge your may be quoted a flat rate $1,500.00 – $2,500.00. However more complex cases can end up costing you in excess of $10,000.00 in attorneys fees.
Note that these fees may increase because of court filing fees, use of a para-legal or even having to hire expert witnesses.
The overall cost of a criminal case can vary depending of the different factors that may be involved.
- How much experience does your attorney have in weapons law
- Was it a misdemeanor or felony weapons charge
- Does the attorney charge a hourly fee or flat rate
- Will the case go to trial
- Will expert witnesses need to be hired
There are IL attorneys that have been known to offer reduced rates or even payment plans depending on how they feel about you as a person and how the charges against you have came to be.
Some IL gun rights attorneys have even been known to take on cases on a pro bono basis if they feel you have been wronged by the justice system or if there are other underlying circumstance that need to be addressed such as violation of your Illinois civil rights.
A civil rights violation could be being arrested for legally carrying a firearm in a place where it was legal. In some instances it could be being denied a firearms carry permit because a judge or other officer of the court decided they did not feel like issuing you a permit. These scenarios have happened on more than one occasion.
Free Attorney Consultations In Illinois
Many Illinois attorneys offer free consultations. Take advantage of this. It gives you an opportunity to meet your potential attorney and ask questions.
It is also recommended that you take a copy of your arrest record with you to your initial consultation.
This gives the attorney a chance to explain to you what kind of fines or penalties you may be facing and what kind of cost you may incur for their services.
Interview Your Attorney As If Your Freedom Depended On It
Questions You May Wish To Ask Your IL Attorney
- What is your experience in handling weapons offense cases such as mine
- What is your educational background
- How long have you been in practice in Illinois
- How long will the process last
- What are the chances of successfully resolving my case
- What is the attorneys fee, or what amount of retainer to you need to pay
- Will there be any other fees other than the attorneys fees
Some cases in Illinois can be extremely complicated and there may not be a simple solution. Be prepared for the worse and hope for the best.
If your case goes to trial or litigation this can change everything. Make sure your IL gun rights attorney has the proper trial experience and is well versed in litigating your defense.
Trust Your Instincts When Choosing Your Attorney
If during your initial consultation you start to get bad “vibes” about the attorney your speaking with, trust your instincts. There may even be “red flags” in their office such as awards, or certificates of appreciation from anti-gun groups. You do not have to hire the first attorney you speak with.
Can I Get A Second Opinion From A Different Illinois Attorney ?
Just because you meet with an attorney during a consultation, does not mean your legally obligated to hire that attorney. You can always get a second opinion. There may be things that the first attorney did not take the time to explain that you wish to have further information about or there may be other factors involved.
Getting a second opinion is neither rude or unusual. It happens to all attorneys and they know that it is just the normal course of business.
One of the main reasons you may wish to get a second opinion in a Illinois firearms case is if your attorney, after just a few minutes of talking, recommends you take a plea deal. In essence they wish for you to plead guilty to a lesser charge, although you know your innocent of the crime you have allegedly committed.
Be Cautious Of Attorney Advertising
There are literally thousands of listings on the major search engines where you will see attorneys in Illinois who claim to be gun rights attorneys, but are they really ?
Your belief in your right to keep and bear arms may be in direct conflict with their beliefs to disarm the population.
Sure these so called gun rights attorneys will be glad to take your retainer, they may smile at you, show concern for you and even represent you in court. However, do you really think they will represent you with your best interest in mind if they are a anti-gun person or law firm ?
Think about that for a moment.
It is your freedom that is on the line.
When your court date has come and gone, only your attorney is guaranteed to walk out of the court room. Do not blindly place your trust in someone just because they have a flashy website or tell you everything you want to hear.
Finding A Good Gun Rights Attorney In Illinois Takes Effort
Finding the right attorney may require that you devote time and it may require you to do an amount of exploration. The effort you exert on finding the right defense lawyer to represent you will fundamentally be reflected throughout your case as it winds it way through the IL court system.
The internet can be a wonderful tool to research your potential gun rights attorney in Illinois.