Posted on October 20, 2025 in Criminal Defense

A felony conviction can wreak havoc on your life. In addition to the possibility of years in prison and tens of thousands of dollars in fines, you may face severe difficulty getting approved for loans, finding employment, or securing housing with a felony on your record. Seeking legal representation for these cases is highly advisable, as an attorney can look for ways to avoid a conviction or reduce the charge to a misdemeanor.

Effectively fighting a felony charge requires a deep knowledge of the law. At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., our Waukegan, IL criminal defense lawyer has years of valuable experience, and he has spent a considerable portion of his career as a prosecutor for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. 

Exploring Mitigating Circumstances to a Felony Charge

Sometimes, what starts out as a felony charge can be reduced to a misdemeanor charge based on a strong argument and a close review of the facts. For example, unlawful possession of marijuana (720 ILCS 550/4) can be charged as a Class 4 felony if you were accused of possessing more than 100 grams, but anything less than that is a misdemeanor charge (assuming it is your first offense). A defense attorney may be able to dispute how much of the substance really belonged to you, potentially getting the charge reduced.

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 Posted on October 07, 2025 in White Collar Crimes

If you work a white-collar job, an accusation involving a drug crime could have serious ramifications for your future. Depending on the offense, you could end up facing years or even decades behind bars if you are convicted. Knowing the potential risks, seeking out legal representation is paramount for protecting your rights.

At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., our Lake County criminal defense lawyer represents white-collar professionals facing drug charges. In prior case results, he has negotiated for favorable verdicts for people accused of felony drug charges, including successful dismissals.

How a Drug Charge Can Affect Your Professional Reputation

A conviction of drug possession or distribution can have immediate consequences for your career. The record of the conviction will appear on any background checks run by your employer, and since Illinois is an at-will employment state, a discovery of a misdemeanor or felony drug conviction could result in your termination.

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 Posted on September 19, 2025 in DUI

Getting taken into police custody for driving under the influence (DUI) can be a panic-inducing experience. If you have never had to deal with law enforcement before, you may be unsure of what to do, even at a loss for how to respond. To ensure that your rights are protected throughout this process, reach out to a Lake County, IL DUI defense lawyer for help.

At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we have extensive experience representing clients accused of misdemeanor and felony DUI, with a history of successful results. As a former prosecutor, Attorney Matthew Gebhardt is highly familiar with the legal process of a DUI charge. He can advise you from the start of your case to the end, helping to safeguard your interests.

Do I Have to Take a Blood or Breath Test After Getting Arrested?

After your arrest, you may be required to participate in a chemical test. This test measures your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) from a sample of your blood, breath, or urine. Under Illinois law, you cannot refuse a blood or breath test without legal penalties. This is referred to as the state’s "implied consent" law, which maintains that anyone driving on a public highway automatically consents to tests for drugs or alcohol (625 ILCS 5/11-501.1).

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 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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