Attorney for Sexual Assault Charges in Wheaton

DuPage County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Sex crimes are considered to be especially heinous. Consequently, being accused of sexual assault or another type of sex crime can dramatically affect your life. If you have been charged with sexual assault, your personal reputation, career, housing opportunities, and even your very freedom may be on the line.

My name is Stephen A. Brundage. I am a criminal defense attorney representing criminal defendants throughout the Chicagoland region. As a former police officer and a defense lawyer with decades of experience, I know Illinois criminal law inside and out. My skilled team and can evaluate the charges laid against you and help you develop a robust defense. Whenever possible, I seek to have the criminal charges against my client dismissed entirely. If the case proceeds to trial, I evaluate all of the evidence for and against my client and determine what course of action is in the client's best interests. In some cases, accepting a plea bargain is the best way to reduce my client's consequences. In other circumstances, fighting for a "not guilty" verdict in court is the best way to protect my client's freedom.

Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer in Wheaton, Illinois

Illinois law defines sexual assault as sexual penetration involving:

• Force or the threat of force
• A victim who is unable to consent to the activity due to intoxication or other circumstances
• A victim who is under 18 years of age and a family member or an adult in a position of authority

Sexual assault is a Class 1 felony in Illinois. If you are convicted of sexual assault, you may be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for a first-time offense. If you have previously been convicted of sexual assault and convicted for a second time, you face a Class X felony punishable by up to 60 years in prison.

Aggravated sexual assault occurs when the alleged perpetrator:

• Is carrying a firearm
• Uses, threatens to use, or displays a firearm or other dangerous weapon
• Causes bodily harm
• Endangers the life of the victim
• Commits sexual assault during the commission of another felony offense
• Commits the offense against a disabled person or someone over age 59
• Administers a controlled substance to the victim without the victim's consent
• Commits the offense against a victim who is less than nine years old
• Uses force against a victim aged 9 - 13 years old

Aggravated sexual assault is a Class X felony. The prison sentence for aggravated sexual assault may be up to 30 years. In some circumstances, a person who is convicted of aggravated sexual assault may even face life in prison.

Standing Up for the Rights of the Accused in Naperville, Wheaton, and Throughout Chicago

If you have been accused of sexual assault, rape, engaging in sex acts with a minor, or non-consensual sexual activity, you may be facing life-changing consequences. You need a criminal defense lawyer who will protect your rights and ensure that you receive a fair trial. I have over 30 years of criminal defense experience, and I am prepared to use this experience to build the best defense possible for you.

You do not have to face sexual assault charges alone. My team and I will examine the evidence, find weaknesses in the prosecution's case against you, and advocate on your behalf in court. Sexual assault charges have the potential to radically alter your future. Do not wait to start building a strong defense against the charges. Say nothing to the police, and contact Stephen A. Brundage, Attorney at Law right away.

Let Us Protect Your Rights and Fight For Your Freedom

If you have been charged with sexual assault, you need a tenacious legal professional in your corner. Call 630-260-9647 for a free, confidential consultation. Stephen A. Brundage, Attorney at Law, serves people accused of crimes in DuPage County, Kane County, Wheaton, Naperville, Elgin, Carol Stream, Downers Grove, Lombard, Aurora, and throughout the Chicago region.