Gun charge in Illinois

DownShift · August 17, 2012, 04:36 PM

I was on the way to a friends wedding and when I left home (ms) I put my .40 in the car for the trip to wisconsin... I was pulled Over in woodwork county and arrested for felony firearm possession which was later reduced to misdemeanor unlawful use of a weapon when they didn't find anything else in the car.... Illinois law says its illegal to have a loaded firearm in your vehicle.... I was simply passing through at 3am and the states attorney is pushing for the maximum penalty which is 30 days in jail and 2 years probation... To me it seems like my rights are being violated and they are just going after me because I'm from a different state.... Any legitimate thoughts on the matter would be appreciated

hermannr · August 17, 2012, 04:40 PM

Fight it, don't settle. Why did they search your car in the first place...that is going to be the easiest way to get rid of the charge.

CowTowner · August 17, 2012, 04:51 PM

Get a lawyer.
Then discuss with him/her whether the search was legal or not.

**Brian Pfleuger** · August 17, 2012, 04:53 PM

You need a lawyer not legal advice from the Internet and the first thing your lawyer will (should) tell you is to not talk about the case on the Internet.

August 17, 2012, 04:36 PM	#1
DownShift Junior Member Join Date: February 21, 2012 Location: Brandon Ms Posts: 10	Gun charge in Illinois I was on the way to a friends wedding and when I left home (ms) I put my .40 in the car for the trip to wisconsin... I was pulled Over in woodwork county and arrested for felony firearm possession which was later reduced to misdemeanor unlawful use of a weapon when they didn't find anything else in the car.... Illinois law says its illegal to have a loaded firearm in your vehicle.... I was simply passing through at 3am and the states attorney is pushing for the maximum penalty which is 30 days in jail and 2 years probation... To me it seems like my rights are being violated and they are just going after me because I'm from a different state.... Any legitimate thoughts on the matter would be appreciated

August 17, 2012, 04:51 PM	#3
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 979	Get a lawyer. Then discuss with him/her whether the search was legal or not. __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearm Safety and Basic Pistol Instructor "The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." Thomas Jefferson

August 17, 2012, 04:53 PM	#4
Brian Pfleuger Staff Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Central, Southern NY, USA Posts: 14,490	You need a lawyer not legal advice from the Internet and the first thing your lawyer will (should) tell you is to not talk about the case on the Internet. __________________ Still happily answering to the call-sign Peetza. --- You do not HAVE a soul. You ARE a soul. You HAVE a body. -C.S. Lewis He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose. -Jim Eliott, paraphrasing Philip Henry.

August 17, 2012, 04:40 PM	#2
hermannr Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2011 Posts: 691	Fight it, don't settle. Why did they search your car in the first place...that is going to be the easiest way to get rid of the charge.