Chicago Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault Lawyer

Finding the Right Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault Lawyer in Cook County

All accusations of sex crimes should be taken very seriously. Claims that a person has committed sexual assault can destroy their reputation, their personal relationships, their career, and nearly every other aspect of their life, even if they are never convicted of an offense. If a conviction does occur, an alleged offender may be sentenced to decades behind bars, and after being released, they may be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life. Those who are accused of committing sexual assault against a child will face some of the most serious penalties available under the law, and they will need to understand their options for defense.

If you are facing accusations of predatory criminal sexual assault, you need a criminal defense attorney on your side who has experience in these types of cases. At the Law Offices of James F. DiQuattro, we have assisted clients in cases involving sex crimes and other related offenses, and we understand the best approach to take to ensure that your rights will be protected. We will aggressively defend you before a judge or jury and make sure you are treated fairly during your case. We know that you should be considered innocent unless prosecutors can provide evidence showing that you are guilty beyond all reasonable doubt. We will fight to secure a positive outcome for you.

Illinois Charges of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child

Adults who face claims that they have engaged in sex acts with children are treated very harshly in the criminal justice system. In Illinois, predatory criminal sexual assault charges may apply in any situation where a person who is over the age of 17 allegedly engages in an act of sexual penetration with a child under the age of 13. In fact, this charge may even apply if there is any sexual contact between a person and a child, no matter how brief or slight. Sexual contact may include any form of contact between one person's sexual organs and any part of the other person's body, as long as the contact was made with the purpose of sexual gratification.

In general, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child is charged as a Class X felony, and conviction carries a sentence of between six and 60 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000. However, increased penalties may apply in certain situations:

• If the offender was allegedly armed with a firearm at the time of the offense, an additional 15 years will be added to their sentence.
• If the offender is accused of discharging a firearm while committing predatory criminal sexual assault, an additional 20 years will be added to their sentence.
• If an offender who was at least 18 years old allegedly caused the victim to suffer great bodily harm that put the person's life at risk or caused a permanent disability, they may be sentenced to between 50 years and life in prison.
• If the offender is accused of giving a controlled substance to the victim or allowing the victim to use drugs for non-medical purposes, they may be sentenced to between 50 and 60 years.
• If a person was at least 18 years old, and they allegedly committed predatory criminal sexual assault against two or more victims, either as part of the same act or in unrelated acts, they may be sentenced to life in prison.
• If an offender had previously been convicted of sexual assault, they may be sentenced to life in prison.

Contact Our Cook County Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault Lawyer

If you are facing predatory criminal sexual assault charges, it is essential that you contact a qualified and experienced criminal defense attorney right away. At the Law Offices of James F. DiQuattro, our team has experience handling these types of cases, and we understand how to fight for your rights while pursuing a positive outcome on your behalf. We will use every tool at our disposal to help you defend against a conviction or resolve your case while minimizing your potential penalties. Call us at 312-627-9482 or fill out an online contact form to set up a free initial consultation.