Choosing the right Illinois criminal defense attorney can affect a person’s life for many years. Even seemingly minor charges may have serious repercussions. Many people accused of a crime have never been accused before, and will not know what to do. Whether accused of a misdemeanor or felony, the first step is to contact an Illinois criminal defense lawyer. Dolan Law Offices handles many types of defense cases, from the relatively straightforward to the most complex criminal defense cases.
Illinois Criminal Law
Illinois law divides crimes into three general categories. Felonies are serious crimes such as most larger-scale illegal drug offenses, aggravated DUI, rape, murder, and arson. A person convicted of one of these crimes may be sentenced to a prison term ranging between one year and life, and may be force to pay a substantial fine, depending on the severity of the crime. As Chicago criminal defense attorneys know all too well, a person convicted of a felony loses the right to vote and typically faces serious employment problems. The next level of crime is a misdemeanor, which includes DUI, battery, theft, criminal trespass, and minor cannabis offenses. A person convicted of a misdemeanor may be sentenced to a prison term of 0-364 days and be forced to pay a fine up to $2500. The last level of crime is the petty offense which includes parking tickets and minor traffic offenses. A person convicted of a petty offense may be forced to pay a fine of up to $500.
The Role of an Illinois Criminal Lawyer-Plea Bargains, Dismissals, and Trials
Many criminal cases are resolved by a plea bargain. A plea bargain is simply an agreement, negotiated with the help of a criminal defense attorney, between a prosecutor and the defendant. The agreement must be entered by a Judge. In a plea bargain, or plea deal, the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser crime and accept a specific punishment. While knowledge of the law is important for a criminal defense attorney negotiating a plea deal, experience is more important. In cases that are not resolved by a plea deal, the government can either dismiss the charges or attempt to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Chicago Criminal Defense Attorneys Protect Constitutional Rights
It is imperative that the accused contact an experienced Chicago criminal lawyer as soon as possible. Many people do not fully understand the rights to which they are entitled, and may even waive those rights without fully understanding the consequences. Chicago criminal defense attorneys can protect those rights at every stage of a criminal proceeding.
Contact the Chicago Criminal Defense Attorneys at Dolan Law Offices
The Illinois criminal defense lawyers at Dolan Law Offices represent criminal defendants throughout Illinois and the greater Chicagoland area, including Aurora, Addison, Chicago Heights, Joliet, Hillsdale, Plainfield, Rolling Meadows, Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Palatine, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Prospect Heights, Wheeling, Wheaton, Waukegan, Inverness, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Elgin, Bartlett, Itasca, Bloomingdale, Wooddale, Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, McHenry County, and Will County.
If you have been charged with a crime, contact the Chicago criminal lawyers at Dolan Law Offices online or at 312-676-7600.
