Have you or someone you care about been charged with a crime in Chicago? Navigating the legal system by yourself can leave you feeling overwhelmed. How do you begin defending yourself against the accusations? What are the potential consequences or penalties? These are questions that a criminal defense attorney can help you answer.
Criminal defense deals with representing people accused of breaking the law. It involves challenging the arguments and evidence leveled by the prosecution. The prosecution, on the other hand, tries to prove that the accused committed the crime. A skilled criminal defense attorney can present evidence and arguments to counter these accusations.
Do you need a Chicago criminal defense attorney with years of experience to defend you in criminal cases? At the Hirsch Law Group, we have a knowledgeable team of criminal defense lawyers who offer legal representation to individuals facing criminal charges.
In Chicago, IL, crimes are categorized as either misdemeanors or felonies.
Misdemeanors are the less serious criminal charges. Offenders are sentenced to jail for less than a year for misdemeanors. You may also receive a fine of up to $2,500.
Felonies are more serious crimes carrying a minimum penalty of one year in state prison. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment. The fine for a felony is usually up to $25,000 but can also run into hundreds of thousands of dollars in some cases. It all depends on the nature of the crime committed.
State crimes violate Illinois law. They are often prosecuted by the State’s Attorney in the county where the crime is committed. They include misdemeanors or felonies.
Federal crimes violate United States laws. The U.S. Attorney present in the district where the crime is committed is generally in charge of the prosecution. In some cases, the prosecution may be the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice or other authorized law enforcement agencies. Federal crimes can be felonies or misdemeanors, depending on the nature of the crime.
A criminal arrest, investigation, and prosecution process in Chicago, IL, involves several stages. Here’s an overview of what to expect if you’re facing misdemeanor or felony charges:
An arrest occurs when an officer takes you into custody for probable cause. During an arrest, the law requires the arresting officials to inform you about your Miranda rights.
Booking is an administrative process that involves recording your personal information. The officer also takes your fingerprints and photograph. They may hold you in custody while waiting for your bail hearing.
A bail hearing is a court proceeding. During this stage, the judge decides whether to release you from custody on the payment of a bail bond.
An arraignment is a court proceeding where formal criminal charges are read to you. At this stage, you must enter a guilty or not guilty plea.
Pretrial motions are requests the prosecution or the defense makes before the main trial to resolve certain procedural or legal matters.
This is a plea agreement arrived at by the prosecution and the criminal defense lawyer. An experienced criminal defense attorney may advise you to plead guilty and negotiate with the prosecution for a reduced sentence or other benefits.
During the trial, the prosecution and your criminal defense lawyer present their arguments and supporting evidence before a judge or jury. The judge or the jury then decides whether you are guilty or innocent beyond a reasonable doubt.
At this stage, the judge pronounces their verdict and informs the convicted individual of the penalties applicable, which can vary from fines, incarceration to probation.
This is a request made by either party to a higher court to review the decision taken by the lower court for errors of law or fact.
If you are facing criminal charges in Chicago, IL, consider hiring a federal criminal defense lawyer from the Hirsch Law Group. We may be able to help you reduce the consequences and penalties applicable.
If you are facing criminal charges, consider hiring a Chicago criminal lawyer from the Hirsch Law Group. We can offer you a knowledgeable, aggressive, and effective defense. Here are some ways in which our criminal defense attorneys can help you:
We can analyze your case to find its strengths and weaknesses. We can also evaluate the evidence, police reports, and witness statements. We then find any errors, violations, or loopholes that may help your defense. For example:
We can file motions to exclude or suppress evidence that was obtained illegally.
We can challenge the credibility or reliability of the evidence or the witnesses.
We can talk to the federal prosecutors on your behalf to try and reach an agreement that benefits you. This may include:
A dismissal of charges
A reduction of charges
A diversion program
We can represent you in all court proceedings related to your case by:
Advising you on your rights and options at every stage of the process.
Employing defense strategies.
Presenting arguments, evidence, and witnesses in your favor before the judge and the jury.
Preparing and filing all the necessary documents.
Cross-examining the prosecution’s evidence and witnesses.
Making opening and closing statements.
We can also protect your constitutional rights throughout your case by ensuring that the authorities and the court treat you fairly and lawfully. We can also challenge any violations or infringements of your rights by filing motions or appeals.
We are well-versed in criminal law and can counsel you on complying with any court orders and requirements that may apply to your case. For example, we can help you follow:
The conditions and restrictions imposed by the court.
The rules and obligations imposed by the court or the probation or parole officer.
We can help you clear your criminal records whenever possible. A criminal record can negatively affect your personal and professional life. It can affect the following:
Employment opportunities
Education opportunities
Housing opportunities
Immigration status
Voting rights
Rights to own firearms
An experienced criminal defense lawyer from our team can help you apply for the sealing or expungement of eligible criminal cases.
We have over 20 years of experience offering legal counsel in counties across Illinois. At the Hirsch Law Group, we can help you with the following criminal offenses:
Theft crimes
Felony convictions
Murder
Drug crimes
Federal criminal charges
White collar crimes
You don’t have to face the challenges posed by criminal charges alone. Contact our law offices to book your free consultation and talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney today!