Posted on April 24, 2025 in Criminal Defense

It goes without saying that being charged and convicted of a sex crime is incredibly serious. But when the offender is a minor, there may be unique considerations and legal procedures. If your child faces allegations of a sex crime, it is imperative that you work with an Illinois criminal defense lawyer who can represent him or her in court.

At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we have over 20 years of proven legal experience in criminal law. Moreover, Attorney Gebhardt has previously served as a Cook County prosecutor, giving him a clear perspective of how sex crimes are handled in court. When you work with our firm, you will receive a zealous defense no matter what you have been accused of.

Minors Must Register as Sex Offenders

If you are convicted of certain sex crimes, you will be placed on a sex offender registry. Information about your conviction will be publicly accessible, and in many cases, registration is for life. Being placed on a sex offender registry can potentially affect where you live and restrict your job opportunities.

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 Posted on April 09, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Selling a prescription drug might not seem like a major crime, but in Illinois, it can be charged as a serious criminal offense. If convicted, you could face fines, jail time, and the burden of a permanent criminal record. Fighting a charge of drug distribution requires thorough preparation and a deep knowledge of the law. At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., our Illinois drug crimes defense attorney can advocate for your rights in court and find strategies for getting the charges reduced or dropped.

Drug Schedules

In Illinois, all illegal drugs are classified into categories known as schedules. The most serious drug crimes involve Schedule I drugs like heroin or PCP, which come with felony penalties for possession – let alone selling them. Prescribed medications and drugs are typically characterized within Schedule II through IV since they have accepted medical uses.

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 Posted on March 26, 2025 in Domestic Battery

When most of us think of the term "domestic violence," we usually think of a man abusing a woman. While this may be the most common form of domestic violence, it is far from the only form. Abusive relationships are characterized by physical and verbal abuse, excessive control, and intimidation. Abusers often attempt to normalize these behaviors to maintain power in the relationship, but domestic violence can and does happen in gay and lesbian relationships as well as heterosexual relationships where the woman abuses the man.

Twenty-six percent of gay men have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner. This compares to 29 percent of straight men, so it is nearly as common for a man in a gay relationship to commit domestic violence as it is for a man in a heterosexual relationship. So, the answer to the question of whether a man can go to jail for domestic violence against another man is "absolutely."

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 Posted on March 10, 2025 in Criminal Defense

While there are few state statistics regarding charges for "felon in possession of a firearm," federal statistics show that in 2018, there were 6,719 convictions for this offense. Of those, 97.7 percent were men with an average age of 34. Tennessee, Alabama, and Missouri had the highest rates of felon in possession of firearm charges and convictions.

Illinois has severe penalties in place for a felon in possession of a firearm, charging the criminal offense as either a Class 2, Class 3, or Class X felony, depending on the circumstances. Since each of these offenses can result in significant prison time, it is highly recommended that you speak to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney. If you have been charged with felon in possession of a firearm, discussing your charges with an experienced Buffalo Grove, IL criminal defense attorney can be beneficial.

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 Posted on February 24, 2025 in Domestic Battery

A recent report from the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence found that domestic violence deaths in Illinois rose by 110 percent in 2023, with 94 incidents of domestic violence that led to 120 deaths. Domestic violence is a broad term that encompasses many different behaviors, while domestic battery is a more specific criminal offense. Both offenses are serious and can lead to harsh penalties.  

Certainly, no one is an advocate for domestic violence, but there are instances when the alleged victim may have made up or exaggerated the incident or both parties were equally to blame for the incident. If you are facing charges of domestic violence or domestic battery, you need an experienced Buffalo Grove, IL criminal defense attorney who can build a strong defense on your behalf.  

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 Posted on February 11, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Individual states may pass their own laws that require permits or licenses to possess or purchase ammunition and firearms. Those living in Illinois must possess a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card to purchase or own a gun or ammunition. Possession of a weapon without a FOID card can result in weapons charges and serious penalties if convicted. If you have been charged with Possession of a weapon without a FOID card, you should speak to a knowledgeable Barrington, IL criminal defense lawyer.

What You Need to Know About FOID Cards

A person who wants to possess firearms and ammunition lawfully must have a Firearm Owners Identification Card issued by the Illinois State Police. Federal officials, members of a bona fide veteran’s organization, and members of the National Guard or Armed Forces (when engaged in official duties) are exempt from FOID requirements.

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 Posted on January 27, 2025 in Domestic Battery

A report from the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence stated that deaths from domestic violence rose by 110 percent in 2023, including 107 homicides and 13 suicides. Few people would advocate for domestic violence, yet in some cases, the charges for domestic battery may be entirely untrue, or both people could have been equally involved in the altercation.

A conviction for domestic battery can lead to severe legal penalties but can also impact a divorce that is in the works, including the award of spousal support, the division of marital assets, and the allocation of parental responsibilities. It can also affect your current job and your ability to secure employment in the future.

If you are facing charges of domestic battery, whether the charges are true, partly true, or not true at all, it is essential that you speak to a knowledgeable Lake Zurich, IL domestic battery attorney. Your attorney can answer your questions and begin building a solid defense on your behalf.   

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 Posted on January 15, 2025 in Domestic Battery

In 2019, more than two million women and one million men in the state of Illinois reported experiencing domestic violence at some point in their life. Domestic violence is a serious issue that often requires the victim to file an order of protection. Filing an order of protection can be an essential way for a victim of domestic violence to protect himself or herself. Yet there are instances when an order of protection is filed as a means of revenge or retaliation for couples going through difficult times.

If your spouse has filed an order of protection against you, you may be unsure how to respond—or if you should respond at all. Understandably, you are anxious about the outcome and perhaps even angry if you feel you did nothing to warrant a protective order. Now is a time when you must take a step back, remain calm, and speak to an experienced Lake Zurich, IL criminal defense lawyer.

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 Posted on December 26, 2024 in Arlington Heights

The Illinois juvenile justice system has made a conscious shift from a punitive approach to a rehabilitative one over the years. Despite this, youth recidivism remains an issue of concern. Over a three-year period (between 2016 and 2019), 87 percent of juveniles who entered the juvenile justice system were re-arrested. Since that time, the state has worked hard to address the more complex needs of juveniles through individualized, intense programs.

The call in the middle of the night telling a parent that his or her child is accused of committing a juvenile criminal offense is never easy. Teens often make one-time bad decisions that should not affect the rest of their lives.  Most parents are unfamiliar with the juvenile justice system and may be unsure of what steps to take to help their child while safeguarding his or her future. This is a time when a Buffalo Grove, IL juvenile criminal defense attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your child’s charges.

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 Posted on December 10, 2024 in Domestic Battery

Witness testimony can significantly affect how your Illinois domestic battery case resolves. The credibility of the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the incident can be put into context when there were witnesses. Unfortunately, allegations of domestic battery often come down to "he said/she said," so if there were witnesses, the judge in the case would definitely want to hear from them.

Since the judge is unlikely to know either party personally when hearing a domestic battery case, the more information he or she has to base a decision on, the better. If you are the person bringing charges of domestic battery or the person defending against those charges, you can benefit from having an experienced Gurnee, IL, domestic battery lawyer from The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C..

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