Unlawful Use Of A Weapon And Other Weapons Charges In Chicago
Not everyone understands the letter of the law as it pertains to weapons. As a team of experienced and skilled criminal defense lawyers, at Shifrin Law Group, we offer knowledgeable guidance and representation to those charged with unlawful use of a weapon.
Illinois Weapon Possession Laws
Anyone who wants to possess, buy or carry a firearm of any sort in Illinois must first obtain a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) Card. Without a FOID, it is a criminal offense to own, buy or possess a gun.
Under Illinois law, unlawful use of a weapon (UUW) may be classified as a Class A misdemeanor and can result in a fine of up to $2,500 and one year in jail. Illinois Statute 720 5/24-1 prohibits the following:
- Carrying or possessing a switchblade, razor, broken bottle, stun gun or taser or any other similarly dangerous or deadly weapon with the intent of using it unlawfully against another person
- Setting a spring gun
- Possessing a tear gas launcher
- Carrying a firearm in a public place that is: (1) not broken down into a nonfunctional state; (2) immediately accessible; (3) loaded and not locked in a case; or (4) not carried in accordance with the firearm concealed carry act
- Selling, manufacturing, or purchasing explosive bullets
You may be charged with UUW if you have violated any of these rules. Additionally, if you are a convicted felon and you are charged with a UUW, you will be facing the Class 3 felony charge of UUW by a Felon – carrying the possibility of two to five years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. If you’ve been charged with a UUW, we urge you to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately.
In Illinois, the offense of unlawful use of weapons (UUW) may be a misdemeanor offense. However, a simple UUW charge can be a felony offense under certain circumstances. We can help with the defense of both misdemeanor and felony charges.
The Skilled Guidance And Tough Defense You Need In Weapons Charges
If you have been charged with the unlawful use of a weapon or another weapon-related crime, call our team at 312-766-4223. You can also reach our team via our online contact form. Use it to ask a question or request a free consultation. These types of charges can lead to serious penalties. Work with an attorney with proven results in criminal defense to get the guidance you need. Our founding attorney speaks fluent Russian, making us capable of serving you in either the English or Russian language.
