20+ Years of Experience
Top Rated Sexual Assault Attorneys
In Chicago, allegations of sexual assault are not taken lightly. Chicago prosecutors will do their best to convict anyone who is arrested and charged with sexual assault. A felony conviction can force you to spend years in prison, pay extraordinary fines, attend mandatory counseling, and even register with the state as a sex offender. A conviction for sexual assault in Chicago has the potential to change your life forever. The best way to limit these negative consequences is by hiring an experienced Chicago sexual assault attorney to defend you.
At the Kostopoulos Law Group, our attorneys have more than 30 years of combined legal experience. With a team of legal professionals that includes former prosecutors, we are uniquely suited to defend criminal defendants in Chicago. We understand how the prosecution will approach a case and can use that knowledge to stay one step ahead. Our attorneys will aggressively fight to make sure that your rights are protected and that you are given every opportunity to defend yourself.
20+ Years of Experience
Experienced Former Prosecutor
Top Rated in Criminal Defense
Sexual Assault vs. Sexual Abuse
Sexual assault and sexual abuse are two different crimes in Chicago. However, they are often used interchangeably in the community. It is important to distinguish the two sex crimes.
Sexual abuse, as defined in 720 ILCS 5/11-1.50, is the crime of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct. Sexual conduct is basically touching the genitals, anus, or female breast without consent or knowledge. Teens who engage in underage sex can also be guilty of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.
As we will see, sexual assault generally refers to rape. Sexual assault is always a felony offense. As a result, the consequences of a conviction for sexual abuse may not be as severe as those for sexual assault.
Sexual Assault Laws
Sexual assault, as defined in 720 ILCS 5/11-1.20, is the crime of engaging in unlawful sexual penetration. The statute lists four specific situations where sexual penetration would be unlawful.
- Sexual penetration using force or the threat of force.
- Sexual penetration with the knowledge that the victim is unable to understand the situation or unable to give knowing consent.
- Sexual penetration with a family member under the age of 18.
- Sexual penetration as a person of authority with a victim between older than 13 but younger than 18.
Sexual penetration is broadly defined to include a variety of sexual acts. Sexual assault can result from any of the following:
- Any contact between the sex organ/anus of one person and an object or the sex organ, mouth, or anus of another person;
- Any intrusion of any part of the body of one person or of any animal or object into the sex organ/anus of another person.
Criminal charges for sexual assault can result from vaginal intercourse, oral sex, anal intercourse, or any other penetration of a sex organ.
Aggravated Sexual Assault
When the crime of sexual assault is particularly violent or dangerous it may be elevated to the crime of aggravated sexual assault. Aggravated sexual assault carries a harsher penalty. You can face charges for aggravated sexual assault if you commit a sexual assault and:
- Use a dangerous weapon;
- Inflict bodily harm;
- Make threats of bodily harm against the victim and/or someone they care about;
- Also commit another felony offense at the same time;
- The victim is over the age of 60;
- The victim is under the age of 9;
- Use force when the victim is between the ages of 9 and 13;
- The victim is disabled;
- The victim is handicapped;
- You administer a controlled substance to the victim without consent; and/or
- You discharge a firearm.
Criminal Penalties for Sexual Assault in Chicago
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is a Class 1 Felony. In Chicago, a Class 1 Felony conviction carries a possible sentence of 4-15 years in prison.
Sexual assault can be charged as a Class X Felony if you are over the age of 18 have been previously convicted of criminal sexual assault or exploitation of a child. In Chicago, a Class X Felony carries a possible sentence of 30-60 years in prison.
Aggravated Sexual Assault
Aggravated sexual assault is a Class X Felony. The specific penalties will depend on the facts and circumstances of each specific case. However, aggravated sexual assault carries a possible sentence of 6-30 years in prison, with the possibility of life. Up to 25 years can be added to a sentence if a firearm is used during a sexual assault. Aggravated sexual assault is a non-probationable offense. This means that a conviction will result in at least some time in prison.
Subsequent aggravated sexual assault convictions will result in a sentence of life in prison.
“Got my felony completely dismissed!”
My family’s lawyer told me that you are top trial lawyers. You won my felony hearing and got my felony completely dismissed! Thank you
– Michael L
“I was facing multiple charges of Domestic Battery”
I was facing multiple charges of Domestic Battery , had 3 warrants issued for my arrest and had these stupid charges weighing on me for 6 years, not wanting to face the music. I finally got picked up and with 6 small children at home, there was NO WAY I could afford to have jailtime. Joe listened and asked crucial questions and from the start he told me he would get it dismissed. I was skeptical to say the least. I paid him in 2 payments (he is super flexible) and then waited after the holidays for final court date. Completely dismissed. He will not give you false hope. He is honest, real and the ONLY person I want in my corner. HE IS WORTH EVERY PENNY! Don’t have someone else give you the runaround as most attorneys do. Save yourself the BS and GO WITH JOE !!!
– Christina S. | March 2019
“I could not be more pleasedand thankful.”
Please read this before you look for another lawyer!! First off, I want to say I am writing this review not because someone asked but because I am so beyond grateful and impressed to have had this group defending me in the court of law. I have never had such exceptional customer service and treated as if I were a high-end long time client. They made me feel like my case was just as important to them as the next. Their articulate steps were given to me in the very beginning to go over what was to be expected and what their goal was. Their rather diligent and speedy efforts to resolve my case couldn’t have been dealt with any better as my case could have gone south real quick. I trusted this group to take full control, let them do their work and they delivered with an outcome I was not expecting. I could not be more pleased and thankful as well as appreciated their flexibility with my payments (that was more than affordable for the hard work they did) as I was in a tight bind at the time. Thank you Joe, Rosemary and everyone else in between who have helped along the way! Your efforts were not unrecognized and I wish your group the best in the future to come! Lets just hope I don’t have to go through this again. If so I’m calling you back!!
– Mareena G. | January 2020
“He was able to dismiss my case and expunge this legal problem off my record.”
I came into some trouble with the law and being my first ever having to hire a lawyer was difficult. When a good friend of mine told me about Joe at Kostopoulos Law Group I had a good feeling about him. Around the time I came into some trouble with the law I was in the process of enlisting for the United States Marines. This court case was stopping me from going any further with my plans of enlisting. I brought the case to Joe and let him know my situation. He was able to dismiss my case and expunge this legal problem off my record. Joe cleared it all up for me and I had little to no worries. I HIGHLY recommended Joe from Kostopoulos Law Group. He will put your mind to ease and take care of your legal trouble. Joe is a very down to earth guy, respectful man, and super friendly. Thank you Joe for taking care of my case I really appreciate it.
– Jonathan G. | November 2019
“Gus, Joe and Rosemary helped in getting my case dismissed.”
Words cannot describe how grateful I am to Joe and Gus. It is very hard to find a dedicated sincere attorney like Joe. Even if anyone calls their number in the middle of the night, Joe will be there to answer and hear your case for sure. Just like that, few months ago, I got into a very unfortunate circumstance. My wife was worried sick didn’t know what to do, called the Kostopoulos Law firm in the middle of the night, since then, Joe is been supporting me till the case got completely dismissed. Gus, Joe and Rosemary helped in getting my case dismissed. Words are enough to express my gratitude and appreciation for their sincere dedication and hard work. They went above and beyond to make sure I understood what was happening and what needed to be done to get the case completely dismissed and expunged. To say my experience with the Kostopoulos Law group was pleasant would be the biggest understatement. I am forever thankful to them both. If you happen to find yourself if legal troubles I highly recommend the Kostopoulos Law Group.Thank you Gus, Joe and Rosemary!!
– Imran Q. | May 2019
Chicago Sex Offender Registration
In Chicago, anyone who is convicted of a sex offense must register as a sex offender. Criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual assault are specifically listed as types of sex offenses. Registered sex offenders often find it difficult to adjust to life after they have completed their criminal sentence. Registered sex offenders in Chicago may have difficulty:
- Finding a stable and/or good paying job;
- Finding a place to live;
- Maintaining professional licenses;
- Visiting schools and public parks; and
- Visiting locations frequented by children.
Sex offenders are required to register each year for at least 10 years. In some situations, a conviction for sexual assault can require registration each year for life. Information about registered sex offenders is maintained in a database that can be searched by the public. This can include your name, address, photograph, and information about your crime.
Fighting the criminal charges against you with an experienced Chicago sexual assault attorney will help to reduce the chances of a conviction.
Defenses to Sexual Assault
Even if you have been formally charged with the crime of sexual assault in Chicago, it does not automatically mean that you will be convicted. The prosecutor will be required to establish that you are guilty of each element of the crime. Your attorney will take every opportunity to undermine the prosecution’s ability to build a successful case against you. Defenses that your Chicago sexual assault defense attorney may argue include:
- False accusation/actual innocence;
- Sexual penetration never occurred;
- Consent of the alleged victim;
- Mistake of age, when appropriate;
- Lack of required intent; and
- Violation of constitutional rights.
Chicago Sexual Assault Defense Attorney
If you have been arrested for sexual assault in Chicago you should not hesitate to contact an attorney. The prosecution will begin to investigate and build a case against you the moment you are arrested. Hiring an experienced Chicago sexual assault attorney to defend you will limit the prosecution’s ability to do their job successfully. At Kostopoulos Law Group, we are committed to aggressively defending our clients against the criminal charges they face. We will thoroughly investigate each case and use the evidence we gather to attack the prosecution’s case. This can result in the reduction or dismissal of criminal charges.
With more than 30 years of combined experience, the Chicago sexual assault attorneys at Kostopoulos Law Group are well-equipped to help you fight back after your arrest. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can get to work on your defense. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.
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Top-client-rated criminal defense law firm in Dupage County. Don’t settle for less when your liberty, family, and life are on the line.
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