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Facing criminal charges in Dekalb County, Illinois, or anywhere else could be frightening. If you’re in that position, you risk going to jail or facing other criminal law penalties such as probation and payment of fines if convicted. But you could avoid those hazards if you successfully defend yourself at your trial.
Yes, it is possible to overcome your charges, but it is difficult to achieve alone. You’ll likely need help from a skilled criminal defense lawyer that understands how the law and legal system in the county work. They can represent you from your arrest and throughout your trial and work to ensure a positive outcome for you.
You don’t need to look too far for experienced criminal defense attorneys. Our aggressive Dekalb County attorneys are ready to fight for your rights and defend you throughout your trial. Read on to understand how criminal defense law works and specific ways we can help improve your chances of success.
If you are facing criminal charges in Dekalb County, don’t hesitate to contact the experienced team of attorneys at Hirsch Law Group. We have law offices in Sycamore and throughout Illinois, so no matter where you are or what your criminal defense needs are, we’re here to help.
Schedule a free consultation with the Dekalb County criminal lawyers at our law firm today by calling 815-880-1134.
If you have been arrested and charged with a crime in Illinois, there are certain things you need to do to ensure that you do not face any further criminal charges and that you get the best possible chance of winning your case.
Do not resist – The most important thing to do following an arrest is to comply with the law enforcement officer’s orders. You can face extra charges or harsher penalties if you resist an arrest. Even if you are innocent and do not understand why you are being arrested, you should comply with all orders and request your lawyer as soon as possible.
Stay quiet – In Illinois, all those accused of a crime reserve the right to remain silent. Police are often highly skilled at negotiation, and they will use multiple tactics to get information out of you. Be aware that police are rarely ever on your side, and they will attempt to guide you toward admitting guilt. Keeping silent is always the best thing to do during your arrest until you can access your lawyer. They can then offer you legal advice on how to proceed and will speak on your behalf.
Know your rights – As a person accused of a crime, you have certain rights that need to be respected by police officers and all officials that you come into contact with during your arrest and afterward. Police only reserve the right to detain you for 72 hours without charges, you have the right to a Dekalb County criminal lawyer, and you have the right to face a judge for bail after being charged. You should also comply with the arrest and arraignment process and refrain from resisting standard procedure.
If you have been arrested for a crime, you should immediately contact one of our Sycamore, IL, criminal defense lawyers. The moment from your arrest to your trial is critical and crucial in any criminal case. A defense lawyer will communicate with police officers and prosecutors during this time to ensure that you are not coaxed into giving self-incriminating information and that you can have a fair trial.
Navigating the criminal system can be difficult for those who have no prior experience with criminal law and dealing with criminal charges. Even for lawyers, the criminal process is sometimes complex and confusing, and national and federal courts are often high-pressure environments. Prosecutors usually spend a lot of time building evidence against defendants before they bring charges to ensure a conviction.
The process of bringing criminal charges and defending a criminal accusation usually goes as follows:
Firstly, a prosecutor or law enforcement agency will investigate your case. If it is a federal felony case, a federal organization, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), will be responsible for investigating your case.
Some things they will do during your investigation include speaking with witnesses, looking at any video footage or images, consulting evidence, and speaking with any victims.
Once there is sufficient evidence against the accused to make an arrest, the prosecutor will seek an arrest warrant from a county judge and then make an arrest. It is essential to know your legal rights during the arrest process and to ensure that the law enforcement officer arresting you reads your rights.
Suppose there has been no prior investigation, and you were arrested for being caught ‘red-handed,’ for example, possessing a controlled substance. In that case, you are still guaranteed the same rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to legal representation.
The law enforcement officers should discuss with you the basic legal issues involved in your case and explain why you have been arrested. During this time, you reserve the right to contact a Dekalb County criminal lawyer, which is strongly recommended.
Following the arrest and subsequent questioning by police, you will then be brought to court to enter your plea. By this point, you should have spoken with your legal representation and discussed your best options for the case.
An experienced criminal attorney should have spoken with the prosecutor regarding your charges. The judge will usually post a bail amount that you must pay to be released from jail while you await trial. If the judge does not post bail for you, based on the circumstances of your case, you will need to remain in county jail to await trial.
Most clients want to avoid a lengthy criminal trial where possible. If you are happy to plead guilty to a lower charge to receive a lighter sentence, your defense lawyer will try to negotiate a fair plea bargain on your behalf. A premium Dekalb County criminal lawyer that has extensive skills will be able to reduce your penalties substantially.
If your legal representation could not reach a fair plea bargain or you decided to plead not guilty to all charges, your case will go to trial, where the decision will be up to a judge or jury. During the trial, criminal lawyers must submit motions, cross-examine witnesses, present evidence on your behalf, and fight to prove your innocence.
You must hire a defense lawyer with experience going to trial and can effectively fight on your behalf. Our law firm has lawyers who have presented cases at the supreme court and have extensive experience defending criminal charges in Illinois.
Following the submission of all evidence to the court, and after all of the witnesses have given their statements in court, the judge or jury will reach a verdict. If it is a not-guilty verdict, you are free of all charges. However, if it is a guilty verdict, you can appeal your decision to a higher court and try to get the decision overturned. Your criminal lawyer will usually bring an appeal based on a particular legal issue in the case or based on a problem with evidence.
If you are convicted of a crime in Illinois, you will receive a sentence based on the sentencing guidelines for the particular charge and certain factors decided by the judge. These factors include aggravating factors, such as a hate crime or membership of an organization or gang, and mitigating factors, including no previous criminal record or no threat to members of the public. The judge will also consider your prior criminal history.
If you are convicted of a more serious crime, the penalties will be much more severe than if you are convicted of a minor offense. For example, with a misdemeanor charge, such as theft, you will receive a lighter sentence than a felony charge for aggravated domestic violence. An experienced Dekalb County criminal lawyer can help minimize the penalties you receive.
Examples of penalties for crimes in Sycamore, Illinois, include:
Class A misdemeanor – Up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $2,500. Crimes in this category include DUI and aggravated assault.
Class B misdemeanor – Up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of $1,500. Crimes in this category include trespassing, traffic law violations, and aggravated speeding.
Class C misdemeanor – Up to thirty days in jail and a maximum fine of $1,500. Crimes in this category include disorderly conduct and assault.
Class 4 felony – One to three years in prison. Crimes in this class include theft and possession of a controlled substance, depending on the amount.
Class 3 felony – Two to five years in prison. Crimes in this class include assault and battery.
Class 2 felony – Three to seven years in prison. Crimes in this class include cannabis trafficking and burglary.
Class 1 felony – Four to fifteen years in prison. Crimes in this class include criminal sexual assault by force and residential burglary.
Class X felony – Up to 60 years in prison could be extended to life imprisonment if certain aggravating factors exist. Crimes in this category include aggravated arson and armed robbery.
Regardless of your crime’s seriousness, you should always contact a lawyer when you are brought into custody. They can ensure that if you do receive a penalty, it is as minimal as possible and that your freedoms are not taken away. Remember, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting if you are convicted of a crime in Sycamore, Illinois. That is why it is always best to seek the help of an experienced defense attorney.
At the Hirsch Law Group, we understand the implications of a criminal conviction in Illinois. We have years of experience defending clients against criminal charges and can provide the best possible legal representation. Our main aim is to protect the rights of criminal defendants and fight aggressively to ensure that those rights are protected.
If you or a family member has been arrested and charged with a crime in Sycamore, Illinois, call us today for professional advice and representation. We can help you through the complex criminal justice process and provide the legal support you need to protect your rights. Contact our office today for a free initial consultation.
You need a good criminal defense attorney to win a criminal case in Illinois. Even for minor charges, you must argue your case with a solid criminal defense and have extensive knowledge of the criminal law system. When searching for a criminal legal representative, you should consider the following:
First and foremost, you should ensure that your legal representation has the requisite qualifications. This includes a law degree from a reputable school, peer recognition, endorsements from legal organizations, and registration with their respective state bar association.
Your Dekalb County criminal lawyer should have extensive experience with criminal law and criminal defense law. We believe that an attorney with experience in multiple practice areas, such as civil law, personal injury law, or experience as a former prosecutor, will be a superior choice. Your legal counsel should actively practice law and deal with criminal cases regularly.
Next, you should ensure that your attorney has experience negotiating plea bargains and deals with prosecutors and judges. Suppose there is sufficient evidence to amount to a guilty verdict. In that case, your criminal defense lawyer must negotiate a fair deal that reduces your sentence and minimizes the penalties you receive.
A huge part of being a criminal defense attorney is communicating with the parties involved, including the lawyers, the judge, and most importantly, the client. Good communication skills are necessary for writing legal documents and submitting motions to the court. As a client, your legal counsel should communicate with you frequently about issues with your case. You must be constantly updated with the ongoing of your case.
Attorneys practicing criminal law should have strong investigation skills. An experienced criminal defense attorney should conduct independent research into your case and try to find witnesses and evidence that help prove your innocence. They can then use this evidence when building a strong criminal defense strategy on your behalf and bring it to trial.
Having a compassionate criminal lawyer is one thing that will make this process much less stressful for you. You want to have a lawyer that listens to your needs, takes the time to understand your case, and fights your case based on the information they have given you. Good criminal lawyers in Dekalb County should realize how stressful this process is for you and offer support when possible.
In addition, to experience with criminal defense law, your attorney should have extensive experience with bringing cases to trial. If you want to plead not guilty or bring your case to court, you will need an experienced trial lawyer to argue your case. The lawyers at Hirsch Law Group are highly experienced in going to trial, and our managing attorney, Gordon H. Hirsch, has been recognized as one of the Top 100 National Trial Lawyers in the United States.
If you face criminal charges in Sycamore, IL, you must ensure that your attorney practices law within Illinois. Criminal attorneys working across multiple states may be unaware of Illinois’s local criminal system and will be unfamiliar with the local judges and prosecutors. They may also be unavailable to meet you in person as frequently as you need. We have law offices in Sycamore and all over Illinois, so we know how the justice system works locally.
If you have been charged with a crime in Sycamore, you want to ensure that you have an effective criminal defense attorney who can defend your case to its full potential. Our law firm has a team of outstanding lawyers who will fight aggressively to protect your rights and ensure that you receive a favorable outcome in your case. Schedule a free consultation with our Dekalb County criminal lawyers today.
Facing criminal charges in Sycamore can be a scary and stressful experience. Being convicted of a crime can result in a permanent criminal record, time in prison, and having to pay huge fines. On top of this, it can tarnish your reputation and affect your mental health and family life.
At Hirsch Law Group, we prioritize protecting the legal rights of those accused of committing crimes. Our law office values the importance of the right to innocence until proven guilty, and we believe that all defendants have a right to a fair trial. As former prosecutors, our criminal defense lawyers are highly experienced with criminal law, and we know how the criminal system works. We can predict arguments the prosecutor may make in your case and use this to our advantage.
Our priority is proving your innocence and ensuring a criminal conviction does not impact your life. Our law office offers a free consultation so that you can come and discuss your case with our criminal lawyers in Dekalb County with no strings attached.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a Sycamore, IL, criminal defense lawyer from our firm at 815-880-1134.
