Vehicular Assault Attorney in Rockford

Protecting Your Rights When Vehicular Assault Charges Threaten Your Future

If you’re facing a vehicular assault related charge in Rockford, you likely feel anxious and uncertain about your next steps. These situations require a defense team that understands both the legal risks and your specific needs. At DeRango & Cain, LLC, we deliver tailored criminal defense strategies that put your interests first.

Many clients who contact us have never dealt with the criminal justice system before. We provide clear explanations and answers to help you regain control during a stressful time. Because law enforcement and prosecutors in Winnebago County move quickly in these matters, early intervention allows our defense lawyers in Rockford to help protect your rights from the outset.

Call DeRango & Cain, LLC today to schedule your consultation during our flexible office hours. We bring 100+ years of combined experience to defend your rights. Call (815) 216-5911 or reach out online now.

Understanding "Vehicular Assault" in Illinois Law

Unlike some other states, Illinois does not have a single statute titled "vehicular assault." Instead, prosecutors in Rockford pursue charges for serious vehicular injuries under one of two primary felony statutes, both of which focus on the driver's state of mind:

Aggravated Battery with a Motor Vehicle

This charge is used when the prosecution believes the vehicle was intentionally or knowingly used as an instrument of harm, and the victim suffered great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement. This is a violent felony that requires the state to prove a mental state that goes far beyond simple carelessness.

Felony Reckless Driving

In cases where the injury is the result of extreme carelessness, the charge is Felony Reckless Driving. This charge is levied when a person drives with a "willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property" and that conduct is the proximate cause of great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement. This is typically classified as a Class 4 Felony, but it carries the serious weight of a violent felony conviction.

As your dedicated Rockford vehicular assault lawyer, we analyze the specific language of the charge to determine the prosecution's theory—whether they claim the action was intentional or recklessly indifferent—and build our defense accordingly.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of a Conviction

A conviction for a felony related to vehicular assault is life-altering, resulting in prison time, massive fines, and the destruction of your driving privileges.

Direct Felony Penalties

• Aggravated Battery with a Motor Vehicle: Classified as a Class 3 Felony, punishable by 2 to 5 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000.
• Felony Reckless Driving: A Class 4 Felony carrying 1 to 3 years of imprisonment and fines up to $25,000.
• Aggravating Factors: Certain circumstances—such as causing harm to a child or a police officer—can elevate the offense to a Class 2 Felony, increasing penalties to 3 to 14 years in prison and enhanced fines.

The Long-Term Consequences

A felony conviction resulting from vehicular assault leads to severe consequences that persist long after incarceration:

• License Revocation: Your driver's license will be revoked, and reinstatement is a complex, multi-step process often requiring a mandatory Ignition Interlock Device (IID) and high-risk SR-22 insurance.
• Civil Lawsuits: A criminal conviction serves as strong evidence of liability in a subsequent personal injury or wrongful death civil lawsuit, exposing you to potentially massive financial judgments for victim compensation.
• Loss of Rights: You will lose your Second Amendment right to possess firearms, and your felony record will severely limit employment, especially in jobs requiring driving, security, or positions of trust.

Our Comprehensive Defense Strategy at DeRango & Cain, LLC

With our 100+ years of combined experience, we know that these cases are won or lost on technical detail and expert testimony. We immediately mobilize resources to protect your position.

• Independent Accident Reconstruction: We do not rely on the State's version of events. We engage independent, third-party experts to analyze vehicle data, skid marks, road conditions, and physics to provide an alternative, non-criminal explanation for the crash.
• Medical and Injury Analysis: We review the victim's medical records to challenge the extent of the alleged great bodily harm or disfigurement, arguing that the injury does not meet the severe statutory threshold required for a felony conviction.
• Witness and Digital Evidence: We interview all witnesses, secure surveillance video from nearby businesses in Rockford, and analyze vehicle "black box" data (Event Data Recorders) to definitively establish speed, braking, and steering input at the moment of impact.
• Charge Reduction Advocacy: Our goal is always a dismissal or acquittal. Failing that, we vigorously negotiate for a reduction of the felony vehicular assault charges to a misdemeanor Reckless Driving offense, which avoids prison time and the permanent felony record.

Why Choose DeRango & Cain, LLC as Your Vehicular Assault Defense Lawyer

DeRango & Cain, LLC stands apart by offering more than just decades of legal experience. We build every defense strategy around your unique situation, never relying on a generic approach. Many clients turn to us for vehicular assault criminal defense in Rockford because we:

• Listen & respond promptly: Clear, reliable communication relieves stress and allows you to make informed decisions.
• Act quickly to protect your interests: Timely attention to legal details provides a strong foundation for your defense.
• Focus on practical solutions: We explain how local laws, court procedures, and specific circumstances may affect your options.
• Support you in court & beyond: Our firm remains at your side throughout, working to guard your record, your driving privileges, and your opportunities for the future.

Our attorneys have earned the trust of individuals across Rockford by providing consistent, measured support in every defense. With years of handling traffic violations-related charges, we know how local courts, judges, and prosecutors analyze these cases. 

We adjust tactics as laws and procedures change, ensuring our guidance always reflects current standards. With regular updates and open communication, we help reduce frustration and confusion for clients navigating the criminal court process.

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