Gun Crime Lawyer Plainfield, IL. If you’re facing a gun charge in Plainfield, IL, the stakes are immediate. Your case may involve a firearm found during a stop, a weapon allegedly used in a threat or shooting, a felon-in-possession accusation, a licensing issue, or a gun allegation added to another criminal charge. Whatever the accusation is, the case is serious, and the state will move quickly to build its version of what happened.
If police arrested you, charged you, or started asking questions about a firearm, Combs Waterkotte’s Plainfield, IL criminal defense attorneys can step in quickly. Our Plainfield, IL gun crime lawyers handle firearm and weapons cases involving AUUW, unlawful possession, felon in possession allegations, FOID issues, concealed carry violations, discharge accusations, drug-related gun charges, domestic violence cases, and other felony matters.
Call (314) 900-HELP or contact us online today. A criminal defense lawyer in Plainfield, IL can review what happened and help you understand what to do next.
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
500+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 80 Years
Use this page to understand:
- What to do after a gun arrest in Plainfield, IL
- How gun cases often begin in Plainfield, IL
- The firearm and weapons charges our defense team handles
- How gun charges can affect your freedom, record, rights, work, and future
- How a gun crime lawyer in Plainfield, IL can fight the case
- What Combs Waterkotte brings to high-stakes criminal cases
- FAQs about firearm charges in Plainfield, IL
Legal Videos
Can I Seal or Expunge My Criminal Record in Illinois?
Can I Seal or Expunge My Criminal Record in Illinois? Dealing with a criminal record in the state of Illinois? Combs Waterkotte attorney Joshua Boardman discusses the possibility of expunging your …
Can the Police Legally Search Me or My Property in Illinois?
Can the Police Legally Search Me or My Property in Illinois? Facing criminal charges in the state of Illinois? Combs Waterkotte attorney Joshua Boardman discusses probable cause and when police can …
Do I Need a Lawyer if I’m Innocent in Illinois?
Do I Need a Lawyer if I'm Innocent in Illinois? Facing criminal charges in the state of Illinois? Combs Waterkotte attorney Andrew Russek talks about it being more important to have a lawyer if …
How Can I Prove My Innocence if Accused of Sexual Assault in Illinois?
How Can I Prove My Innocence if Accused of Sexual Assault in Illinois? Facing sexual assault charges in the state of Illinois? Attorneys Joshua Boardman and Andrew Russek from Combs Waterkotte …
What Are Drug Schedules in Illinois?
What Are Drug Schedules in Illinois? Facing criminal drug charges in the state of Illinois? Attorneys Joshua Boardman and Andrew Russek from Combs Waterkotte discuss everything you need to know …
What Are the Most Common Drug Crimes in Illinois?
What Are the Most Common Drug Crimes in Illinois? Facing drug charges in the state of Illinois? Attorney Joshua Boardman from Combs Waterkotte discusses the most common drug charges in …
Can I Seal or Expunge My Criminal Record in Illinois?
Can I Seal or Expunge My Criminal Record in Illinois? Dealing with a criminal record in the state of Illinois? Combs Waterkotte attorney Joshua Boardman discusses the possibility of expunging your …
Can the Police Legally Search Me or My Property in Illinois?
Can the Police Legally Search Me or My Property in Illinois? Facing criminal charges in the state of Illinois? Combs Waterkotte attorney Joshua Boardman discusses probable cause and when police can …
Do I Need a Lawyer if I’m Innocent in Illinois?
Do I Need a Lawyer if I'm Innocent in Illinois? Facing criminal charges in the state of Illinois? Combs Waterkotte attorney Andrew Russek talks about it being more important to have a lawyer if …
How Can I Prove My Innocence if Accused of Sexual Assault in Illinois?
How Can I Prove My Innocence if Accused of Sexual Assault in Illinois? Facing sexual assault charges in the state of Illinois? Attorneys Joshua Boardman and Andrew Russek from Combs Waterkotte …
What Are Drug Schedules in Illinois?
What Are Drug Schedules in Illinois? Facing criminal drug charges in the state of Illinois? Attorneys Joshua Boardman and Andrew Russek from Combs Waterkotte discuss everything you need to know …
What Are the Most Common Drug Crimes in Illinois?
What Are the Most Common Drug Crimes in Illinois? Facing drug charges in the state of Illinois? Attorney Joshua Boardman from Combs Waterkotte discusses the most common drug charges in …
What To Do After a Gun Arrest in Plainfield, IL
A gun arrest is not the moment to improvise. Before you talk to police, message anyone about the case, or assume your release conditions are just paperwork, get clear on what can hurt you.
- Do not try to talk your way out of the case. You may think you are clearing things up, but prosecutors are trying to build a case against you, even if officers seem friendly.
- Keep the case out of texts, posts, DMs, and recorded calls. Even comments that feel harmless can be pulled into the case if they touch the facts, the gun, the arrest, or the people involved.
- Know exactly what the court has ordered you to do and not do. In a firearm case, release conditions can control who you contact, where you go, whether you can possess weapons, and how often you must check in. Breaking those rules can put you back in court, threaten your release, and give prosecutors more leverage.
- Show up whenever the court tells you to be there. Failing to appear can make everything worse, even before the gun charge itself is resolved.
- Record the timeline while you still remember it clearly. Write down how police approached you, what they said, what they searched, where the gun was found, who had access, and whether any video may exist.
- Keep anything connected to the case. Save court papers, release conditions, FOID or concealed carry documents, firearm records, receipts, photos, videos, texts, location data, and notices from the court.
- Get a gun crime lawyer in Plainfield, IL involved as soon as possible. An attorney can speak with law enforcement for you, explain your release conditions, protect you from damaging statements, preserve key evidence, and start attacking the weak points in the case.
How Firearm Charges Start in Plainfield, IL
A firearm case may begin with police finding a gun, someone claiming a gun was used, or prosecutors adding a weapon allegation to another criminal charge. How it started matters because it shapes the defense.
- A vehicle stop turns into a firearm arrest after officers say a gun was within reach, loaded, improperly secured, or tied to a licensing problem.
- A gun is found in a shared car, home, apartment, hotel room, backpack, purse, or bedroom, raising questions about who knew it was there and who actually had control over it.
- A witness or alleged victim claims a gun was shown, pointed, fired, or used during a threat.
- A shots-fired investigation becomes a felony case after police claim the weapon was fired toward a person, vehicle, residence, business, or occupied structure.
- A firearm allegation is layered onto another case, including robbery, burglary, assault, domestic violence, or a drug crime.
- A prior conviction, protective order, or other restriction turns alleged possession into a more serious firearm case.
- A firearm is found during the execution of a search warrant, often in connection with a broader investigation.
- The case depends heavily on another person’s story about a gun, even though video, forensic evidence, or physical proof may be missing or unclear.
- A FOID card, concealed carry license, transport rule, or restricted-location issue turns an otherwise lawful firearm into the basis for a criminal charge.
Firearm and Weapons Charges We Handle in Plainfield, IL
Combs Waterkotte handles serious gun cases in Plainfield, IL, including:
- Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, often called AUUW
- Unlawful use of a weapon
- Unlawful possession of a firearm
- Unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon
- Possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card
- Carrying a concealed firearm without a valid concealed carry license
- Gunrunning
- Possession of a stolen firearm
- Possession of a firearm while under an order of protection
- Reckless discharge of a firearm
- Aggravated discharge of a firearm
- Drive-by shooting allegations
- Assault weapon, .50 caliber rifle, and large-capacity magazine allegations
- Federal firearm investigations or cases involving both state and federal exposure
The Real Risks of a Gun Charge in Plainfield, IL
Gun charges in Illinois are serious because the consequences can follow you into your work, family life, immigration situation, firearm rights, professional license, and any future case where your record matters.
A gun crime in Plainfield, IL can expose you to different penalties depending on the accusation, evidence, and your record, including:
- Felony prosecution
- Jail or prison exposure
- Probation or conditional discharge
- Fines and court costs
- Loss or denial of firearm rights
- FOID card or concealed carry license consequences
- Enhanced penalties if the case involves drugs, violence, body armor, a prior conviction, or restricted locations
- Separate charges based on each firearm or alleged violation
- Loss of professional licenses
- Deportation or other immigration consequences
How a Gun Crime Lawyer in Plainfield, IL Can Challenge the Case
The first step is to get between you and the prosecution’s version of the case. Gun charges move quickly, and small details can change the direction of the defense.
- Examine how police made contact with you. The defense can start with whether officers had a lawful reason to stop, detain, arrest, question, or search you.
- Challenge the search. If the firearm came from a vehicle, home, bag, room, or container, your lawyer can examine whether police were legally allowed to search there.
- Push back on the assumption that nearby means yours. A firearm in the same car, room, home, bag, or hotel room does not automatically prove you knew about it or controlled it.
- Challenge stories from witnesses, alleged victims, or co-defendants. When a case depends on what someone claims they saw or heard, your lawyer can look for contradictions, bias, missing footage, motive to lie, or facts that support self-defense.
- Sort out the firearm paperwork and carry rules. Card status, license status, renewal timing, transport rules, and restricted locations can all matter in an Plainfield, IL firearm case.
- Look for missing or weak evidence. Your lawyer can look for evidence that contradicts the report, supports your version, or shows prosecutors are relying on assumptions.
- Choose the strategy that fits the facts. Your lawyer may pursue dismissal, suppression, charge reductions, probation, a negotiated outcome, or trial depending on what gives you the strongest position.
Why Work With Combs Waterkotte After a Firearm Arrest in Plainfield, IL?
If you are facing a gun charge in Plainfield, IL, you need more than someone to appear in court. You need a defense team that can investigate, communicate, negotiate, and prepare to fight if prosecutors will not back down.
Combs Waterkotte brings:
- Experienced criminal defense attorneys: The firm has handled more than 10,000 cases and brings over 80 years of combined legal experience to serious felony defense.
- Client-centered representation: You get direct communication, personal attention, and clear guidance instead of silence and legal jargon. You will have the personal cell number of the attorney working on your case.
- Availability when emergencies happen: When something urgent happens, you need to reach your lawyer. Combs Waterkotte is available day or night and does not bill by the hour for client questions and calls.
- Investigative resources: Combs Waterkotte can bring in investigators, forensic experts, digital forensic specialists, ballistics experts, and support staff to help test the state’s case.
- Trial-ready approach: Combs Waterkotte prepares cases as if they may need to be fought in court, which can create leverage in negotiations and gives clients a stronger position if trial becomes necessary.
Will County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Will County and Illinois.
- Illinois Criminal Defense Resources
- Illinois Criminal Defense Practice Areas
- Illinois Compiled Statutes
- Illinois Courts
- Illinois Supreme Court Rules
- Illinois Secretary of State
- Illinois State Police
- Illinois Department of Corrections
- Will County Website
- Will County Court
- Will County Jail
- Will County Sheriff’s Office
- Christopher Combs
- Steven Waterkotte
Contact a Gun Crime Lawyer in Plainfield, IL
A gun charge in Plainfield, IL can move fast. Early defense work can help protect evidence, challenge police assumptions, review release conditions, and put pressure on the state’s case before it settles into place.
Combs Waterkotte can explain what you are facing, deal with police and prosecutors, and start building a defense focused on the strongest available outcome. Call (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation with a gun crime lawyer in Plainfield, IL.
Plainfield, IL Gun Crime Lawyer FAQs
What should I do after being arrested for a gun crime in Plainfield, IL?
Do not talk to police about the facts of the case without a lawyer. Save your paperwork, write down what happened, avoid discussing the case on calls or messages, and contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Early action can help your lawyer preserve evidence, review the stop and search, and begin challenging the state’s case.
How serious is aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in Illinois?
AUUW can carry felony exposure in Illinois. The risk depends on facts like where the firearm was found, whether it was loaded or accessible, whether there was a valid FOID card or concealed carry license, and whether the accused has a prior record.
Can I be charged if the gun was in someone else’s car?
Police may charge someone even when the vehicle belongs to another person, but prosecutors still have to prove the firearm was legally tied to the accused. A shared or borrowed car can raise serious questions about knowledge, access, and control.
Does it matter if the firearm was not mine?
The legal question is often not only who bought or owned the firearm. The state may try to prove who had control over it, while your lawyer can challenge that connection if the gun was in a shared space or belonged to someone else.
Can a traffic stop turn into a firearm search?
Police do not automatically get to search your car just because they stopped you. They need a lawful basis, such as probable cause, valid consent, a warrant, or another recognized exception. If the search was unlawful, your lawyer may be able to challenge the firearm evidence.
Can I be charged for having a gun without a FOID card?
Illinois law generally requires residents to have a valid FOID card to legally possess firearms. If you are accused of having a gun without a valid FOID card, the defense may involve reviewing your residency, application status, card status, possession facts, and whether police found the firearm through a lawful search.
Should I hire a lawyer for a first firearm charge?
A first offense can still be a serious case. A defense attorney can explain the risks, challenge the evidence, deal with prosecutors, and work toward dismissal, reduction, probation, suppression, or another favorable result when possible.
Can a gun charge in Illinois go away?
Some firearm cases can be fought through suppression, negotiation, reduction, dismissal, or trial. The path depends on the charge, your record, the evidence, how police found the gun, and what prosecutors can actually prove.
