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Criminal Sexual Assault

Criminal sexual assault is one of the most serious criminal charges you can face. It is classified as a Class 1 felony under Illinois law and carries harsh penalties – up to $25,000 in fines and up to 15 years in prison. If certain aggravating factors are present – such as the use of a dangerous weapon or the infliction of physical violence – it can be prosecuted as aggravated criminal sexual assault, which is a Class X felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

Apart from the criminal penalties, a sexual assault conviction can also destroy your reputation irreparably and make it extremely hard for you to lead a normal life. Seasoned Chicago criminal defense attorney Purav Bhatt has successfully defended individuals accused of criminal sexual assault and will fight aggressively to minimize the consequences of these charges.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a widespread problem in Illinois and is considered a serious public health issue. Knowing the impact it can have on family members – particularly children – domestic violence cases are taken extremely seriously by prosecutors in Illinois. If you are accused of domestic violence, abuse, or battery, you cannot expect any leniency from the prosecutor – especially if you have a criminal record.

Attorney Purav Bhatt has represented numerous individuals accused of domestic violence over the last decade and has successfully earned dismissal of charges, acquittals, and reductions in punishment in the state as well as federal courts.

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Weapon/Gun Crimes

Chicago, Illinois is known for its gun violence problem. To combat the danger of gun violence, prosecutors in Illinois tend to prosecute criminal offenses involving unlawful firearm possession or use aggressively. Depending on the nature of the criminal offense you are accused of and your criminal record, you can be charged with anywhere from a misdemeanor to a Class X felony.

Experienced criminal defense lawyer Purav Bhatt has prosecuted firearm offenses during his time as the Cook County State’s Attorney so he knows how prosecutors build these cases. He can take the facts and circumstances of the alleged offense into account and devise a robust defense strategy to get your charges dropped, dismissed, or reduced.

DUI Offenses

Driving under the influence of alcohol – commonly abbreviated as DUI – is usually prosecuted as a misdemeanor if it is your first offense in Illinois. The penalties can include driver’s license suspension, fines, probation, ignition interlock device installation, and jail time.

Some offenses, however, can have harsher punishments. If you have been charged with multiple DUI offenses, it can be prosecuted as a felony under Illinois law. Similarly, if you have a child passenger or if you cause an accident in which one or more people are seriously injured or killed, you can be charged with a felony as well.

Chicago criminal attorney Purav Bhatt has extensive experience in handling misdemeanor and felony DUI cases and can provide you with the personalized legal representation, guidance, and support you need and defend your rights and interests aggressively.

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Marijuana DUI

The use of medical as well as recreational marijuana is legal under Illinois law. At the same time, driving under the influence of marijuana is strictly prohibited and is considered a criminal offense. The penalties for marijuana DUI can range from fines to driver’s license suspension, substance abuse treatment program, and probation or jail term.

Marijuana DUI charges can be more difficult to prove compared to alcohol-based DUI charges, due to the fact that determining whether you are intoxicated or not based on THC concentration is not as easy. Seasoned marijuana DUI attorney Purav Bhatt can defend you against the charges you are facing and will do everything in his capacity to achieve an outcome that is in your best interest.

Drug crimes ranging from the possession of controlled substances to manufacturing, distribution, delivery, and trafficking are taken extremely seriously in Illinois. The penalties can be on par with violent crimes like armed robbery. Depending on the amount of drugs in your possession, federal criminal charges can be brought against you as well. Purav Bhatt is a Chicago, IL criminal lawyer that has more than a decade of experience in trying drug-related criminal cases and can provide you with aggressive, result-oriented legal representation.

Theft Crimes

Theft is defined as the act of taking someone else’s property or belongings without their knowledge or consent. Under Illinois law, a theft crime can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony – depending on the value of the item stolen, the criminal record of the accused person, and whether or not any aggravating factors were involved. If you are facing theft charges, top-rated criminal defense lawyer Purav Bhatt can represent you, provide you with the legal counsel you need, and protect your rights.

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Burglary

Burglary is the act of unlawfully entering someone’s property with the intention of stealing something or committing any kind of crime. Under Illinois law, the property in question does not necessarily have to be a building – it could be a trailer, watercraft, or even a motor vehicle.

Burglary is usually prosecuted as a Class 2 felony but can be upgraded to a Class 1 felony depending on the property that was broken into. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony burglary, Chicago criminal defense lawyer Purav Bhatt can protect your rights, fight hard to get your charges dropped or dismissed if possible, or negotiate with the prosecution to get your charges reduced.

Robbery

Robbery is the most serious theft crime you can be charged with in Illinois. Unlike burglary, which is not a violent crime, robbery involves the threat of force, the use of force, or the use of a firearm or a dangerous weapon. It is a Class 2 felony, which can be upgraded to Class 1 felony depending on who the victim was and where the crime was committed. If the crime involved the use of firearms or any dangerous weapon, you can be charged with armed robbery, which is a Class X felony.

Purav Bhatt, a criminal defense attorney in Chicago, IL, has been practicing criminal law for more than a decade and has the expertise and experience necessary to defend you against the charges of robbery – as well as any other related criminal offense.

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Financial crimes, also referred to as white-collar crimes, can range from identity theft to credit card fraud, ATM fraud, wire fraud, embezzlement, healthcare fraud, and money laundering. Many of these crimes are prosecuted in federal courts and the penalties can be harsh.

Attorney Purav Bhatt has over a decade of experience in defending individuals accused of financial crimes in both state and federal courts. Depending on the circumstances, he will work to get the charges against you dismissed or dropped or he will negotiate with the prosecution to minimize the penalties to the extent possible. If no agreement is reached, he will vigorously defend you in a trial.

Expungement

Any time you get arrested in Illinois, it goes into your record, which can be seen by prospective employers and landlords. As a result, you might find it difficult to rent a place to live in, find a good job, or get a loan. Chicago criminal defense attorney Purav Bhatt can help you expunge your arrest record so that it no longer shows up on background checks.

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Federal Crimes

Crimes that violate federal laws are considered federal crimes and are prosecuted in federal courts. A number of offenses – ranging from wire fraud and healthcare fraud to drug possession, distribution, trafficking, and illegal sale of firearms are considered federal crimes, and the penalties can be significantly harsher compared to the penalties for state offenses. Attorney Purav Bhatt is licensed to practice in the Northern District of Illinois Federal Court and has successfully defended several individuals accused of federal offenses over the years.

A wide range of non-violent and violent crimes are classified as felony offenses under the law. Apart from the possibility of serving time in prison, a felony conviction can also lead to the loss of several civil rights and impact your life adversely. Attorney Purav Bhatt has prosecuted several felony crimes during his time as Cook County State’s Attorney and knows what it takes to defend against these charges. He will advocate for your rights and put together a robust defense to help you win.

Get Our Chicago, IL Criminal Defense Lawyers on Your Side

If you are under investigation for a crime or if you have been charged with a crime, you need to retain a skilled criminal defense attorney from one of the top law offices in Chicago who can aggressively defend you and protect your rights and interests.

At the Law Office of Purav Bhatt, we have more than a decade of experience in defending individuals accused of crimes in the state and federal courts. Over the years, our dedicated team has handled an extraordinarily wide range of felony and misdemeanor cases. Our experienced criminal lawyer has achieved overwhelmingly positive results for our clients.

Our founder, Purav Bhatt, is a highly accomplished and widely respected criminal defense lawyer who is committed to protecting the rights and civil liberties of individuals who are accused of crimes and defending them to the best of his ability. As a former prosecutor, Purav Bhatt knows the criminal justice system better than most people and has what it takes to achieve the best possible outcome under any circumstances.

If you are facing criminal charges, call our criminal defense law firm today at 773-791-9682 or get in touch with us online to schedule a contact us with a seasoned Chicago criminal lawyer.