Felony Attorney in Peoria

Criminal Defense Built on Prosecutorial Experience

A felony charge in Illinois carries consequences that can follow you for decades. At McCall Law Offices, P.C., Attorney Christopher McCall has represented clients in hundreds of criminal cases across Peoria County and knows what’s at stake when the charge is a felony. We invest time upfront in understanding each client’s specific situation and goals, then provide an honest analysis of the case before outlining a strategy built around those circumstances.

With more than 10 years of criminal defense experience, we approach every case with the same premise: you deserve to know exactly where you stand and what your options are.

Facing a felony charge in Peoria, Illinois? Call (309) 948-5908 to schedule a free consultation with our criminal defense team. We can review your case and give you a straight assessment of your situation.

How a Former Prosecutor Defends Felony Cases

Before entering private defense practice, Attorney Christopher McCall worked as a prosecutor. That background gives him a perspective many defense attorneys don’t have: he understands how the Peoria Criminal Court evaluates felony cases and how prosecutors approach charging decisions, evidence assessment, and plea negotiations. He knows what the other side is looking for and where cases tend to have vulnerabilities.

In practice, our defense strategy isn’t built in the dark. When we evaluate whether to challenge evidence, push for dismissal, or negotiate a plea, we do it with a working knowledge of how the prosecution is likely to respond. That insight shapes our advice at every stage of a felony case.

McCall Law Offices, P.C. has also been featured in a promotional video produced by the City of Peoria and personally endorsed by the city’s mayor, a reflection of the firm’s standing in this community.

Illinois Felony Classes & Sentencing Ranges

Illinois organizes felonies into five classes, and the class of the charge determines the sentencing range a defendant faces. Understanding your charge level is the first step toward understanding your exposure.

Illinois felony classifications at a glance:

• Class X: 6 to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections; probation is not available
• Class 1: 4 to 15 years in prison; probation may be available depending on the offense
• Class 2: 3 to 7 years in prison
• Class 3: 2 to 5 years in prison
• Class 4: 1 to 3 years in prison; the least severe felony class under Illinois law

Sentences can extend beyond the standard range when aggravating factors are present, including prior convictions. A sentencing enhancement can push an otherwise manageable case into significantly longer prison exposure, which is why early legal intervention matters.

Felony Procedure in Peoria’s 10th Judicial Circuit Court

Peoria is the home office of the 10th Judicial Circuit Court, which also covers Marshall, Putnam, Stark, and Tazewell counties. If you’re arrested on a felony charge in Peoria County, your case can move through this court system along a defined procedural path.

Preliminary Hearing & Grand Jury Timeline

Under Illinois law, a person held in custody on a felony charge must receive a preliminary hearing or be indicted by a grand jury within 30 days. If released before that point, that window extends to 60 days. The preliminary hearing requires the prosecution to demonstrate probable cause that a crime was committed and that the defendant committed it. A grand jury indictment accomplishes the same threshold through a different process. Both are early procedural pressure points where defense counsel can make a meaningful difference.

Speedy Trial Rights

Illinois law provides speedy trial rights. A defendant held in custody must be tried within 120 days of arrest. A defendant released pretrial who demands trial must be brought to trial within 160 days. If those deadlines aren’t met, the case may be dismissed. Tracking these timelines is part of our felony defense work.

Life After a Felony Conviction: Appeals & Record Relief

A felony conviction in Illinois doesn’t just mean prison time or fines. It can affect your ability to find employment, secure housing, and retain firearm rights long after any sentence is served. Felony convictions stay on a person’s record unless specific legal action is taken to address them.

Our representation doesn’t have to end when a case concludes. McCall Law Offices, P.C. can help clients who have already been convicted evaluate whether grounds exist for an appeal or determine whether their record qualifies for expungement or sealing under Illinois law. If a path to relief exists, we can identify it.

Start with a Free Consultation

Felony charges move quickly through the court system, and early decisions often have lasting consequences. The sooner you have counsel who understands how Peoria’s courts and prosecutors operate, the better positioned your defense may be.

McCall Law Offices, P.C. offers free consultations with no obligation. You’ll get an honest assessment of your situation and a clear picture of your options before you commit to anything. Call (309) 948-5908 to speak with our felony defense team today.