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Criminal defense attorneys represent those accused of a crime in a court of law. They know the law and legal procedures through years of learning and application. As such, they are uniquely prepared and competent to represent criminal defendants.
You may be scared if you have been accused of a crime or know someone who has. A guilty sentence could mean the end of your life as you know it or that of a loved one. This, of course, depends on several factors, including the skill of your criminal defense lawyer. Hence the need to search for competent representation.
The sixth amendment of the Constitution guarantees a criminal defendant’s right to counsel. This means that at almost every point during your case, you have a right to be represented by a lawyer. Going with an excellent criminal defense attorney almost always guarantees a better outcome.
Criminal cases in Illinois typically follow these steps:
A case has three possible outcomes: conviction, dismissal, and acquittal. The prosecutors may dismiss the case against you if they don’t have enough evidence against you. They can renew the case anytime, so you are not free if this happens. Meanwhile, if you are acquitted, you are declared innocent. In this case, you cannot be charged with the same crime again. Conviction is a guilty finding, and it comes with penalties.
Criminal offenses carry varying penalties depending on their level of severity. Common penalties for criminal offenses include fines, prison terms, probation, and community service. For sexual crimes, convicts are required to undergo sex offender registration. Depending on the offense, court-required counseling or rehabilitation may also be enforced. A standard penalty for DUI/DWI offenses is driver’s license suspension.
Also, for stealing offenses, mandatory restitution may be required. Certain offenses committed by non-citizens may lead to deportation. Lastly, a felon may lose certain rights. For example, losing voting rights while incarcerated. Other rights that could be lost are the right to own guns, work in certain places, and participate in government welfare programs.
Some common crimes we handle include DUI/DWIs, domestic violence, and drug charges. We also handle theft/ embezzlement cases, weapons charges, and possession of stolen property. Additionally, our attorneys represent clients in cases of homicide or murder. Contact our law office today for assistance regardless of your accused crime.
Beyond legal representation, below are some of the ways our attorneys can help you:
Our criminal defense lawyers conduct their own investigations into the cases we handle. This enables us to find loopholes in the prosecution’s case from early on and gather evidence. If necessary, private investigators may be involved to help your case. At this stage, your lawyer may find helpful information to bargain with or beat your charges.
Due process is fundamental in the criminal justice system. It ensures that the defendant’s rights are respected. Due process also ensures that conviction or acquittal is just. Our firm’s experienced criminal defense attorney can oversee your case to ensure due process. With our attorneys on your side, your interests are protected.
Members of the jury are instrumental in criminal cases. Your attorney can help assess the potential jurors and remove those who seem biased.
A lot of criminal trials end with a plea deal. Where the prosecution offers you a plea deal, our attorneys can help you bargain. We can work to reduce your charges to less severe ones and push for the minimum penalty. With former prosecutors on our team, our experience in this aspect may be crucial to your case.
Hirsch Law Group can defend you if you face criminal charges in DuPage County, Illinois. Our criminal law firm has two former prosecutors with invaluable knowledge and experience. They work ceaselessly to pick apart the prosecution’s case against our clients.
No matter how minor, a criminal conviction stays on your record. You also face administrative and criminal penalties. That is why we defend everything from petty crimes to severe criminal charges. Criminal prosecution is usually very aggressive. So, we are equally aggressive and proactive in fighting for our clients.
The sooner you act, the better! If you have been charged with a criminal offense, contact us for a free consultation today. Let us handle your Illinois criminal defense issues for you.