by Attorney Eric D. Puryear The issues of what crimes should bar a person from gun ownership, how long such a ban on gun ownership should last, and when a person should be able to have their gun rights restored are often hotly debated.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Felony charges in Iowa come in 4 different classes, with different penalties depending upon the class of felony and the charge. This article addresses those felony sentences in Iowa.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Felonies in the state of Illinois come in several different classes, each which has a different range of prison terms and other penalties. This article discusses those felony classes and punishments in Illinois.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In an Illinois criminal felony case, the Defendant has a right to a preliminary hearing. The preliminary hearing is a court date at which the prosecution has the burden
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Under Iowa law, a person accused of a crime more serious than a Simple Misdemeanor (which would be a Serious Misdemeanor, Aggravated Misdemeanor, or a Felony), is entitled to a Preliminary Hearing under some
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear There are laws at the Federal and State levels that prohibit certain people from possessing a firearm. These laws can be rather complex, and a person who is charged with unlawfully possessing a gun generally cannot avoid criminal liability by saying that they did not know they were prohibited. This article discusses the general categories of people who are barred from possessing guns, and some of the related situations that often arise.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Earlier this year, I had the honor of representing a woman named Judy, who used her gun to defend herself, her sister, and her sister-in-law after they were violently attacked in a parking lot in Rock Island County, Illinois. Much to her surprise, Judy was charged in Case Number 2010CF1076 in Rock Island County, Illinois, after telling the police about the attack she suffered. After a variety of motion hearings, we proceeded to a jury trial on February 7, 2012. The result of that trial was a verdict of Not Guilty, at which point the court ordered that Judy’s gun be returned to her right on the spot. Judy was then able to walk out of the courthouse with her pistol, return home, and accept an even better employment offer that had been on hold as she awaited trial. With Judy’s permission, I am sharing her story here.