Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer

Former Chicago Bear Football Player, Johan Asiata’s Story

Have you been accused of a crime, and now you’re concerned about your future? To protect your good name and your future, fight back with help from a criminal defense lawyer when you’ve been accused of a crime in Chicago.  Let our Trusted Attorneys help you get you and your family’s life back to normal.

Being accused of any crime, whether it’s a felony or a misdemeanor, can be a scary experience. Law enforcement, prosecutors, and even judges don’t always treat those accused of crimes with the dignity and respect that is deserved.  After all, everyone charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty.

The fines alone can leave you in debt, and prison time can hurt your future. Worse, the penalties may not stop even after you’ve finished your prison sentence in Chicago.

It can be tough to recover from a criminal case, so you’ll need to fight back if you’ve been accused of a crime in Chicago. There were 19,964 criminal complaints in Chicago in 2023, a 18% increase from 2022. If you’re concerned about your case, reach out to a Chicago criminal defense lawyer from Chicago Trusted Attorneys for help. Our lawyers can work to help you get your charges dropped, so reach out today for the help you need.

Criminal Penalties for Illinois Felonies

When you’re facing a felony case, it’s important to understand what consequences you could be facing. You might be expecting jail time, for example, but for how long? Understanding the stakes can help you better understand how to fight back and build a solid criminal defense.

Typically, a felony conviction means that you’ll be spending more than a year in prison. These stakes may rise all the way to a life sentence. That means you could be spending decades of your life in prison for more serious crimes, leaving you without the freedom and relationships you once had.

Unfortunately, a criminal conviction can leave you in serious debt, too. Fines for felony charges can be as high as $25,000. That can be tough for anyone to pay. When you’re behind bars for more than a year, it can become even more difficult to overcome those fines.

Misdemeanor Crimes Can Hurt Your Future in Chicago, Too

Misdemeanors may not seem so severe, since they typically mean that you’ll be spending less than a year in jail, but don’t let that keep you from fighting back. Criminal penalties can still affect your life after your conviction, impacting your future in Chicago for years to come.

For example, even the least-severe type of misdemeanor, a Class C misdemeanor, could still leave you in jail for up to thirty days. That’s a month of your freedom gone, along with fines as high as $1,500. For a Class A misdemeanor, your fines may be up to $2,500, and you could spend a year in jail. Even if you’re only facing a misdemeanor, fighting back is still important for your future.

Types of Charges Your Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Handle

A criminal conviction and charge can cover a wide variety of criminal offenses, sometimes including multiple offenses. Having a knowledgeable, experienced lawyer to speak with about your situation is important. Here’s a sample of the criminal charges you may be facing that our lawyers are prepared to defend.

Criminal Sexual Assault

Criminal sexual assault charges can haunt you even if the charges are dropped. Over a period of four years, there were 6,084 reported sexual assault cases in Chicago. This can damage your relationships, your career, and your life. Having an experienced lawyer can help you navigate the criminal court room for the sexual assault charge.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence charges include many types of violence or other non-physical types of abuse directed at a family member or member of the household. The penalties can range from taking freedoms away to felony charges that come with prison sentencing. It’s typically best to remain silent when charged with domestic violence and contact an attorney.

Driving Under the Influence

Illinois reports there are 475 DUI incidents, per 1,000 population. Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs can come with hefty penalties if found guilty. You can potentially lose your driving abilities, get charged large fines, and even do prison sentences. An attorney can speak with you about the options available if charged with a DUI in Chicago.

Financial Crimes

Healthcare fraud, identity theft, embezzlement, money laundering, and wire fraud are all financial crimes that someone can be charged with. These are often federal crimes that are brought up by the government. Talk to an experienced financial crime attorney who can help you reduce or dismiss these charges.

Robbery and Theft Crimes

Theft can be a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value of items stolen from another. Robbery is often charged differently because it involves another person and often a weapon of some sort. You will want the charges taken care of and with the right attorney, you can get the help you need.

Long-Term Effects of a Criminal Conviction

When you’re concerned about avoiding a criminal conviction, you might think, “The penalties will only last as long as the conviction.” Sadly, the penalties may last years after your sentence has been finished.

Having a conviction on your record can hurt your future, making it difficult to recover from your time in prison. Your criminal conviction is included in your records, which means potential landlords or employers may see your record and refuse to hire you or rent to you.

It can affect your family life, too. For example, you might be seeking custody of your children, but the judge will consider what’s in the best interests of the children. If you have a criminal record, especially for violent crimes, you could lose custody.

If you don’t fight back now, then you might lose even more later. A Chicago criminal lawyer from our firm can help.

Getting the Right Criminal Defense

That’s why it’s so important to fight back and get your charges reduced or dropped. Fortunately, a defense lawyer from Chicago Trusted Attorneys can help you take action and protect your future now. Our lawyers understand how many questions you might have about building a good defense and protecting your case, so we’re here to help. Our goal is to get you and your family back to normal.

Finding some help with your case can help protect you from facing the full consequences of a criminal conviction. However, many people choose to represent themselves, fearing they can’t afford professional legal representation. Unfortunately, failing to find the right Chicago lawyer can leave you paying for more than lawyer fees.

A public defender may not give you the attention you need, either. While they may be certified as criminal defense lawyers, they may be working many cases at once, leaving you without the attention your case needs. Our defense lawyers can review your case and give you the personalized attention your case deserves.

Talk to a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Chicago

If you’ve been accused of a crime in Chicago, it can be tough to recover completely. If you’re convicted, you may be facing high fines, jail time, and a record that can haunt you for years after a conviction. That can lead to major consequences to your daily life, making it even more difficult to get back to your normal life.

It can be difficult to avoid these penalties if you’ve been convicted, so you’ll need a lawyer from Chicago Trusted Attorneys to help you work to avoid these penalties and get your charges dropped. Fighting back without help isn’t easy, especially if you don’t have the experience and the authority to represent yourself in court. Fortunately, our criminal defense lawyers can help.

If you’re struggling with a criminal case and aren’t sure where to turn, seek out help from our Chicago lawyers, starting with a consultation. We’ll review your criminal case, show you how we can help, and get you on track to avoid a conviction. If you’re ready to begin, your Chicago criminal defense lawyer is waiting for you. Get started by calling 312-519-3171 or by filling out the online form below.

Citations:

Chicago Police Department. (2023). CompStat public report: 2023 year-end. Retrieved from https://home.chicagopolice.org/wp-content/uploads/CompStat-Public-2023-Year-End-1-1.pdf 

Chicago Justice Project. Violence against women is a chronic yet difficult issue to study. Retrieved from https://chicagojustice.org/2021/10/06/violence-against-women-is-a-chronic-yet-difficult-issue-to-study/#:~:text=Overall%2C%20during%20the%204%2Dyear,such%20violence%20in%20the%20city.

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. (n.d.). Alcohol-impaired driving in Illinois. Retrieved from https://icjia.illinois.gov/researchhub/articles/alcohol-impaired-driving-in-illinois 

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Chicago Criminal Defense FAQs

It’s normal to have a lot of questions after you have been charged with a crime in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois. It’s a confusing time filled with uncertainty. Fortunately, the defense lawyers at Chicago Trusted Attorneys are here to cut through the confusion and get you the answers you need.

To that end, we have detailed the answers to some common questions we receive. Of course, you can always give us a call or fill out our contact form to get answers about your unique situation from a qualified, compassionate, and trusted attorney.

What should I do if there is a warrant for my arrest?

After you’ve discovered that a warrant for your arrest has been issued, perhaps the most important thing to do is avoid panicking. Panic, while natural, won’t get you anywhere. Instead, contact an attorney right away. Your lawyer can help you determine the best way to turn yourself in and immediately start working on your defense.

How can I avoid the embarrassment of a public arrest?

If you know you are going to be arrested for an alleged crime in Illinois, you may instantly fear the idea of being arrested in front of family or friends or in your workplace. That’s understandable, but it doesn’t have to end up that way. We can help you arrange to turn yourself in so you can avoid the hassle of a public arrest. After that, we’ll get started on your defense.

Is it possible to beat a drunk driving charge?

Yes, it is possible. How possible it is in your situation will depend on the unique circumstances surrounding your case, but a qualified criminal defense lawyer in Chicago can give you an honest assessment of your situation and the best possible chance of coming out of this unscathed. To find out more about how a lawyer can help you with a DUI charge, get in touch with us today.

Should I work with a public defender?

Public defenders serve an important purpose in our legal system, but unfortunately, they are often overworked. They can be asked to handle countless cases at one time, which means they may have very little time to devote to your case—the one that matters most to you. Hiring a private criminal defense lawyer at our firm, on the other hand, means you will get our undivided attention and dedication.

What if I have been wrongfully accused of a crime?

Unfortunately, people are falsely accused of crimes more often than you might think. Police and witnesses are human, and they make mistakes. The good news is that your defense lawyer will know how to find the right evidence to prove your innocence.

I just found out about a warrant for my arrest in Chicago. What should I do?

First, don't panic. If you're facing an arrest, it's best to talk to a criminal lawyer first, instead of rushing to the station or ignoring it. A lawyer can communicate with the police for a speedy, discreet arrest. You'll ideally be taken to the station without the embarrassment of a public arrest. Once you've been booked, your lawyer can even post your bail, if you prepared this with them before your arrest.

Can a criminal conviction be removed from my record?

Yes, you do have the option to have your criminal record expunged if you're convicted in Illinois. However, it's not always easy to do so, and you may have to face many long-term consequences before you're eligible to do so. For example, it can time to get your record expunged, and many felonies are not eligible for expungement. As such, it's best that we fight back now to get your charges dropped. For details about getting a record expunged, talk to a Chicago expungement lawyer.

Should I speak to the police after my arrest in Chicago?

Generally, it's best to only tell the police officers what you're required to tell them during and after your arrest. Keep in mind that, like they say, anything you say can and will be used against you. That means that if you accidentally say something incriminating, it can hurt your case. Because of this, it's best to speak with your defense lawyer before you say anything.

What is a preliminary hearing?

This is the first hearing that determines whether the police had probable cause to arrest you for a criminal offense. They may call witnesses to testify, including the arresting officer. The judge then decides whether there’s probable cause after hearing the witnesses and other evidence. The case will proceed if there is probable cause and official charges will be filed against you.

What is an arraignment?

This is the hearing for the formal criminal charges presented against the defendant. You will have to make a plea, which can be changed at a later date. The defense attorney has the option to make a motion for discovery. This is to ensure all evidence used by the prosecution will be available to you during the trial. Specific restrictions may be imposed during this time. For example, you may need to submit to electronic monitoring during the court case. You will be required to appear at any and all future court dates.

Will I face further penalties if I serve my sentence?

While you won’t face more fines or jail time once you’ve completed your sentence, you still have a criminal record. Unless expunged or sealed, that record will show up in background checks for landlords, banks, and other institutions. That can impact your ability to maintain housing and employment or get loans. Your lawyer can help you avoid these severe penalties and get your life back on track.