Posted on September 08, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Being charged with any type of crime can have an impact on your life, but if you are convicted of a felony, the consequences can be far-reaching even after you have satisfied whatever penalty the court imposes. In addition to a prison sentence or probation, a felony conviction can affect your right to vote and even your right to travel. These collateral consequences can make life extremely difficult for felons, which is why having strong legal representation during a criminal case is so critical.

In some cases, you may not be able to obtain a passport if you have a felony conviction on your record. If you live in Illinois and have questions about how a felony could impact your future, contact our Lake County, IL criminal defense attorney at The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C. today.

What Crimes Disqualify You From Getting a Passport?

Felony criminal classification covers a wide array of crimes that often have a wide array of potential penalties upon conviction. Not all felony convictions will disqualify you from obtaining a passport. However, there are some that will make obtaining a passport very difficult, if not impossible. Both federal and state felony drug convictions that involve crossing international borders can disqualify you from getting a passport (22 CFR 51.61). Felony convictions of financial fraud or human trafficking will also disqualify you.

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 Posted on August 28, 2025 in Gun Crimes

Illinois has laws in place to regulate who can and cannot own a gun. If you are accused of certain criminal offenses, you should know that you not only face jail time and fines, but the loss of your gun rights as well. Domestic battery is one of the offenses that can immediately jeopardize your right to possess a firearm.

To safeguard your freedoms against a domestic battery charge, consider working with a Lake County, IL criminal defense lawyer. At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we can inform you of the possible consequences of a conviction and develop a strategy to minimize the damage as much as possible. 

What Is Domestic Battery?

In Illinois, you could be charged with domestic battery for causing harm to or making offensive physical contact with a family or household member "without legal justification" (ILCS 720 Sec. 12-3.2). This can include acts like punching or even spitting on another family member, regardless of whether or not it leaves a mark.

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 Posted on August 13, 2025 in Juvenile Criminal Defense

Learning that your child has been arrested may feel like your worst nightmare has come to pass. Though you may feel panicked, acting rashly will not help your situation. Instead, you should get in contact with a Lake County, IL juvenile defense lawyer who can help protect your child in court.

At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we know the immense pressure faced by parents in juvenile criminal defense cases. When you work with our firm, we will give you a clear idea of the charges your child faces as well as the possible long-term consequences. Attorney Matthew Gebhardt has over 20 years of experience, so you can rest assured that your child’s case will be handled by a seasoned professional.

Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer for Your Child

Once you have found out that your child has been arrested, getting in contact with an attorney should be one of your top priorities. Depending on the reason for the arrest, your child could be tried as an adult, so having a strong defender at your side is an absolute necessity.

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 Posted on July 31, 2025 in DUI

The culture around marijuana usage in Illinois has changed. With the legalization of recreational weed, smoking weed has become more accepted and less criminalized. However, driving while high can still warrant serious criminal charges. If you have been accused of DUI involving cannabis, you should get in contact with a Cook County criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C. represents people who have been charged with various crimes, including driving under the influence. The legal proceedings of a DUI case can be overwhelming, so it is important that you get in contact with a skilled attorney as soon as possible. As a former prosecutor, Attorney Matthew Gebhardt knows how DUI cases and drug crimes are handled, and he can advise you at every step of the way.

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 Posted on July 14, 2025 in Domestic Battery

If you have never had an encounter with law enforcement before, getting arrested for domestic battery can be disorienting and you may not know what to expect. Knowing your rights in detention is critical. Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, you may be detained before your court date. However, under the SAFE-T Act, you could be eligible for pretrial release.

A Lake County, IL criminal defense lawyer can advise you of your options while you are in police custody or in pretrial release. At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we represent clients accused of domestic violence, battery and assault offenses, and other violent crimes. We can provide you with skilled counsel and representation against serious charges.

What Is a Detainable Offense in Illinois?

The SAFE-T Act in Illinois has largely eliminated the cash bail system. This means that you do not have to put down money to be released from custody before your court date. However, judges still reserve the right to hold people in custody before trial for certain crimes, known as detainable offenses.

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 Posted on June 27, 2025 in DUI

You might not think that a bad decision you made one night could shape your image for years to come. Unfortunately, this is often the case with driving under the influence (DUI). If you were arrested on DUI charges in Illinois, that information may be accessible to landlords, employers, and anyone else who runs a background check on you. However, you may have options to protect your reputation. An Illinois criminal defense lawyer can explore your options for getting your criminal record sealed or expunged.

As a former Cook County prosecutor, Attorney Matthew Gebhardt is highly familiar with the legal procedures involved with DUI. At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we can advise you of your best course of action based on your specific situation.

The Long-Term Effects of a DUI Case

If you are convicted of DUI in Illinois, the consequences may run deeper than you expect. Even in seemingly minor cases, misdemeanor DUI is still punishable by up to a year in jail, which can impact your reputation in your community.

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 Posted on June 08, 2025 in Domestic Battery

An accusation of domestic violence can threaten to ruin your reputation. Worse, you may face a lengthy jail sentence if you are convicted. If you are accused of domestic battery without physical evidence, you should contact a lawyer to figure out your best defense. An Illinois criminal defense attorney can help you contest the allegations, exploring all possible strategies to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed.

Crimes of domestic violence carry a significant stigma. As such, it is in your best interests to seek legal representation as soon as you have been charged with battery against a family or household member. At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we have successfully defended clients against domestic battery in the past. Although past cases are no guarantee of future results, you can rest assured that your case will be handled by an experienced professional dedicated to protecting your rights.

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 Posted on May 23, 2025 in DUI

Getting a phone call from jail can be alarming. If you have found out that someone you care about – your child, your partner, your friend – has been arrested on DUI charges, your first priority might be to get them released. If you have any concerns about bail and bonds, an Illinois criminal defense lawyer can help.

At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we have years of experience handling DUI cases. We know how intimidating it can be to be detained and held in jail, and we will do everything we can to help. Attorney Matthew Gebhardt is well-versed in traffic law and criminal defense, so you can rest assured that your loved one’s case will be in good hands.

Do You Have to Pay Bail in Illinois?

You may already be familiar with the concept of bail – that is, paying a certain amount of money to get released from jail before your court date. However, you should know that Illinois has done away with cash bail altogether.

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 Posted on May 07, 2025 in Criminal Defense

The state of Illinois treats accusations of domestic violence seriously. If you have been charged with domestic battery, you could be sentenced to prison upon a conviction. If the alleged crime is committed against your pregnant wife, you could face even stricter prosecution. An Illinois criminal defense attorney can represent you in a domestic violence case, giving you a clear idea of what to expect from the legal proceedings.

The crime of domestic battery, especially against a pregnant woman, carries a harsh stigma. As such, you need a qualified attorney to prepare your defense. At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we can help you strategize around the possible charges you may face, as Attorney Matthew Gebhardt draws on former experience as a prosecutor to offer clients optimal representation.

Domestic Battery Charges in Illinois

You can be charged with domestic battery for two different reasons:

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 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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