Facing criminal charges can be quite daunting and stressful. The consequences of a criminal conviction are often severe and can have a significant impact on your future. If convicted of a crime in Arlington Heights, you could face jail time, massive fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record. With a criminal record, you may face difficulty getting employed, applying for loans, and getting accepted into a university or college.

To avoid facing serious criminal penalties and a permanent criminal record, it is important that you have an experienced and aggressive criminal attorney by your side. At Hirsch Law Group, we have a team of criminal defense attorneys that have been helping clients win criminal cases for many years. Our law firm is a team of former prosecutors who are now aggressive defense lawyers representing clients all over Illinois.

Our managing attorney, Gordon H. Hirsch uses his experience as a former prosecutor to come up with strategic criminal defense arguments and aggressively defend his clients. All of the criminal defense lawyers in our firm have significant experience handling criminal defense cases and have helped clients get their charges dropped or reduced substantially.

It is essential that you have a strong criminal defense lawyer to defend your criminal case in Arlington Heights, which is why you should contact us at Hirsch Law Group today.

Call us at 815-880-1134 to schedule a free consultation with one of our criminal defense attorneys.

Criminal Charges We Handle in Arlington Heights

In our law firm, we handle all types of criminal defense law cases. Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor, felony, or federal charge, we can help you defend your case. Our criminal defense lawyers have experience handling DUI cases, drug crimes, white-collar crimes, traffic tickets, and much more.

Drug Crimes

Drug crimes in Illinois carry harsh penalties, and being convicted of a drug crime can have serious consequences. Criminal law strictly prohibits drug possession, drug trafficking, manufacturing a controlled substance, cultivating, and distribution. The penalties for each crime vary depending on the seriousness, the particular substance in question, and the quantity found in your possession.

All controlled substances are divided into Schedules or categories depending on their medical benefits and the risk of harm they pose to members of the public.

  • Schedule I drugs include opiates and hallucinogenic substances.
  • Schedule II drugs include methamphetamine, coca leaves, codeine, and oxycodone.
  • Schedule III drugs include ketamine and some illegal steroids.
  • Schedule IV drugs include prescription drugs such as diazepam and tramadol.
  • Schedule V drugs include prescription drugs such as Lyrica, Lomotil, and narcotics that have small amounts of opiates.

The penalties for drug possession include:

  • Maximum fines of $200,000.
  • Up to 50 years in prison for Schedule I drug possession.
  • Fines of up to $1,500 and 30 days jail time for misdemeanor drug possession charges.

The penalties for drug trafficking include:

  • Maximum fines of $1 million, depending on the particular substance and the quantity.
  • From 12 to 120 years in prison.

The penalties for drug manufacturing include:

  • Fines of up to $25,000.
  • Maximum jail time of three years, depending on the substance and the quantity.

Serious drug crimes can also be charged under federal law, which can result in even more serious penalties if convicted. It is important that you speak with a criminal defense lawyer if you are facing drug charges in Arlington Heights, IL.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence allegations can cause serious damage to your reputation and can have severe consequences. A conviction can result in time in prison, fines, and a criminal record, which can impact your child support, your ability to find employment, apply for housing, and much more. If you have been accused of or charged with domestic violence in Arlington Heights, it is important that you get legal representation from a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

A domestic violence charge may arise due to breaking a protection order, violating a stalking order, attempted sexual assault, or stalking. These crimes can be charged as either felonies or misdemeanors, depending on the severity of the crime and the length of time it went on. With the help of a criminal defense attorney, you can ensure that your voice is heard and that you do not face serious consequences for a conviction.

Sex Crimes

Like domestic violence, being charged with a sex crime can massively impact your life. Sex crimes are often subject to much public scrutiny, and often those charged face not only a criminal trial but also a trial by members of the public. Being convicted of a sex crime can result in time in prison, a permanent criminal record, and the requirement to register on the sex offenders registry.

Some sex crimes that our law firm has helped clients fight against in court include sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, rape, public indecency, statutory rape, and solicitation of an adult. For a first-time sex crime conviction in Illinois, you could be looking at up to 15 years in prison. If you are convicted of a sex crime for a second time, you can be charged with a Class X felony, which is the highest type of felony in Illinois and imposes a penalty of up to 60 years in prison.

If you have been charged with a sex crime in Arlington Heights, IL, it is imperative that you contact a criminal attorney to discuss your case. A sex crime conviction can result in your name being on the sex offender registry for a long period of time and can negatively impact your future opportunities with work, school, voting, and more.

Misdemeanor vs. Felony Charges in Arlington Heights, IL

Criminal law in Illinois separates crimes based on their severity level into two different types of charges; misdemeanors and felonies. Felony criminal charges are regarded as more serious than misdemeanors and impose more stringent penalties. However, it is recommended that you seek legal counsel regardless of whether you are charged with a felony or misdemeanor in Arlington Heights.

Misdemeanor Charges

As noted above, misdemeanor charges are regarded as less serious than felony charges. Typically, the penalties for a misdemeanor conviction are lighter and it is easier to get your criminal record expunged with a misdemeanor conviction. However, if convicted of a misdemeanor you could still face time in jail, fines, probation, community service, and a requirement to take part in a drug or alcohol program.

Some examples of misdemeanor charges include:

  • First-time DUIs.
  • Non-payment of traffic tickets.
  • Assault.
  • Petty theft.
  • Domestic battery.
  • Trespassing.
  • Minor drug charges such as possession of a small number of drugs.

The Arlington Heights criminal defense lawyers from our law firm can help get your misdemeanor charges thrown out or reduced substantially and ensure that you do not face severe penalties.

Felony Charges

Felony criminal cases are more severe than misdemeanor cases. As such, being convinced of a felony in Illinois can result in serious consequences such as lengthy prison sentences, huge fines, and a permanent criminal record.

Typically, felony criminal offenses are charged at the state level, meaning that local law enforcement officers and the state prosecutor are responsible for prosecuting the crime. However, in some cases, the federal government may step in to take the criminal case to a federal court. If the crime crossed state borders, there was a serious threat of violence or occurred on federal or government property, it will be tried in a federal criminal court.

Some examples of felony crimes in Arlington Heights include:

  • Armed crimes.
  • Aggravated battery and sexual assault.
  • Serious drug crimes such as possession of large quantities of drugs, trafficking, and distribution.
  • Retail theft.
  • White-collar crimes include fraud, racketeering, embezzlement, and money laundering.

At Hirsch Law Group, we know how stressful and daunting it is to face felony charges. Being convicted can result in serious penalties and a permanent criminal record. By hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney, you can maximize your chances of getting a favorable outcome and ensure that your future is not impacted by a felony conviction.

What Can I Expect After a Drug Conviction in Arlington Heights, IL?

Drug crimes are on the rise in Arlington Heights, and our lawyers help clients with drug charges every day. It is important for clients to know how much a drug conviction can impact their life. Aside from the immediate effects of a drug conviction in Illinois, such as jail time, court fines, probation, and community service, there are other parts of your life that will change with a drug conviction. Having a criminal record can impact the following:

  • Employment – Often, employers conduct criminal background checks on their employees, and require employees to have a clean record. With a drug conviction, you may face difficulties getting employed, particularly with public jobs and jobs involving children.
  • Child custody – If you are a parent with custody over your child, a criminal conviction can cause you to lose custody or visitation rights with your child.
  • Right to vote – Being convicted of a felony drug charge will result in you losing your right to vote in elections.
  • Mandated rehab – In the event that your criminal defense lawyer can help you avoid jail time, you may have to take part in a rehab program mandated by the court. You will likely have to pay for rehab by yourself or with your private medical insurance. If you do not attend rehab, fail to finish the program, or miss a court date, you can face further consequences.
  • Housing – With a criminal drug record, you may face difficulty applying for housing and trying to get a mortgage from a bank.

The long-term impacts of a drug conviction can sometimes be worse than the penalty itself. Most people do not consider how much a drug conviction can affect their lives and future opportunities. With an experienced criminal defense attorney, you can help avoid these future consequences by fighting your criminal charges and preventing a permanent criminal record.

Can I Get My Criminal Record Expunged in Arlington Heights, IL?

The consequences of having a criminal record can be life-changing and can have a huge impact on your future. However, there is the option to get your record expunged in certain cases in Illinois. Whether you can get a record expungement depends on whether you have a misdemeanor or felony conviction, how many convictions you have, and how much time has passed since your conviction(s).

In Illinois, there are two routes for clearing a criminal record; expungement and sealing. With an expungement, the conviction is completely cleared from your record and no one will have access to your previous charges. With criminal record sealing, the conviction remains on your record however the access to this record is limited to certain individuals, such as police conducting an investigation.

Getting an expungement can be much more difficult than record sealing, especially if you have been convicted of a felony crime. However, expungement is possible for first-time drug violations, acquitted or dismissed charges, completed probation, completed court supervision, and some other types of cases.

Speak with a criminal attorney from our firm to discuss whether we can help you get your criminal record expunged in Arlington Heights, IL.

How To Turn Your Life Around After a Drug Conviction in Arlington Heights, IL.

Getting convicted of a drug crime, or any type of serious crime can often feel like a huge roadblock. The criminal justice system makes it difficult for those with drug convictions to turn their lives around and many people feel at a loss. However, at Hirsch Law Group, we want to assure you that it is possible to turn your life around after a drug conviction, and there are certain steps that you can take to get on the right path.

  • Resources and support groups – In Arlington Heights, there are many different addiction support groups and resources that can help you get your life on track while receiving support from other people going through a similar situation. To get started, you can contact the Arlington Centre for Recovery or the Banyan Treatment Center rehab.
  • Employment – Getting a new job can be a great way to turn your life around after a drug conviction. Although it can be more difficult to get hired with a criminal record in Arlington Heights, many companies accept those with criminal records provided they can pass drug tests.
  • Speak with a criminal attorney – It is important to remember that having a criminal record is not always permanent. A criminal lawyer can help get your record expunged or sealed to make your life much easier. With a sealed criminal record, you will be able to find jobs easier, apply for housing, education, and much more.

The most important thing to remember after a drug conviction in Arlington Heights is that you are never alone. There are many groups and resources in the area that can help guide you on to your new path of life and help you stay on track. Our lawyers can help ensure that you get the best outcome for your case and offer you guidance on how to turn your life around after a conviction.

Arlington Heights Criminal Lawyers at Hirsch Law Group

When hiring an Arlington Heights criminal defense lawyer to represent your drug case, you want to ensure that you hire someone with the requisite qualifications, strong experience, good negotiating skills, knowledge of local law, and unique insight into criminal cases. Drug convictions are serious, and having a good criminal lawyer can be the difference between a minor conviction and a permanent criminal record.

At Hirsch Law Group, we pride ourselves on having extensive experience with criminal law, in addition to other areas of law such as personal injury, traffic violations, and civil issues. Our law firm takes a unique approach to criminal cases due to our experience working as former prosecutors in Illinois. We know how difficult it is to face criminal charges and we want to help you every step of the way, through aggressive representation and dedication to your case.

Our lawyers will help you with any legal issues you may have, take charge at court hearings, advise you on your legal rights, and represent you at every stage of your case. Our law office has been ranked among the 40 best law offices in Illinois on Expertise.com. As such, you know you are dealing with the best Arlington Heights criminal defense lawyers when you hire us as your representatives.

Speak With an Arlington Heights IL Criminal Defense Lawyer at Hirsch Law Group

Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor, felony, or federal drug charge in Arlington Heights, IL, it is important that you seek legal representation from an experienced criminal lawyer as soon as possible. Drug convictions can have serious consequences including immediate penalties, such as jail time and fines, and also the rippling effect of a criminal record.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Arlington Heights, it is important that you do not underestimate the seriousness of this charge and speak with a criminal attorney as soon as possible. At Hirsch Law Group, our lawyers are ready to help you fight your drug charges and get you the best possible outcome for your case.

By hiring us as your legal representative, you will get the unique experience of a former prosecutor that can be used to build an airtight criminal defense on your behalf. Our Arlington Heights criminal defense attorneys have helped hundreds of clients win their cases, and we will always have your best interest at the forefront.

Our law offices offer a free case evaluation for you to discuss your case with a criminal defense lawyer with no strings attached.

Call us today to schedule a free consultation at 815-880-1134.