The Importance Of a Criminal Defense Attorney

Having a criminal charge against you is a severe situation whether you are innocent or not. The Illinois legal system is complex, and people who are charged must deal with court appearances, pleadings, paperwork, motions, etc. This is not something you want to take on alone. If you have been charged with a crime, a strong defense is essential, so speak to our Illinois criminal defense attorneys at Villadonga & Villadonga today.

Why Get A Criminal Defense Attorney?

A skilled defense attorney should handle most Illinois criminal charges. Under (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-65) even a relatively ‘minor’ Class C misdemeanor in Illinois can result in up to 30 days in jail, two years of probation, and/or a fine of up to $1,500. Crimes that could result in a Class C misdemeanor conviction include simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Investigate The Charges

Once you retain a criminal defense attorney, they will investigate the charges to see what evidence the police gathered against you. They may visit the alleged crime scene, talk to witnesses, review police reports, and look at the physical evidence. The attorney will review the facts and evidence and look for potential weaknesses in the case and anything that could give rise to reasonable doubt.

Review Law Enforcement Conduct

Even if someone may be guilty of a crime, law enforcement must follow the law and respect a suspect’s constitutional rights. Your attorney will look at how the arrest and questioning were conducted by law enforcement, and if your rights were violated, they could file a motion to have specific evidence suppressed.

For example, if you were arrested for a suspected DUI and the police did not have probable cause for the stop, this could be problematic for the prosecution. Police officers must have probable cause to pull drivers over in Illinois. If you were obeying all traffic laws when pulled over, your attorney might question whether the police had probable cause to stop your vehicle.

Develop A Defense Strategy

Depending on the case, there are many potential ways a criminal defense attorney might develop a defense strategy. If the alleged crime was assault, perhaps it was done in self-defense. If it was a DUI stop, there could be issues with the field sobriety tests or the breathalyzer test.

Help You Make Major Legal Decisions

Some, but not all, criminal cases in Illinois go to trial. If the prosecutor offers you a plea deal, your attorney will review it with you and provide their best recommendation. They also may negotiate with prosecutors to obtain a more favorable plea agreement. Or, they could advise you to take the matter to trial. Ultimately, it is your decision, but an experienced criminal defense attorney can provide essential legal guidance about the best course of action.

Represent You At Trial

Your attorney works for you in the courtroom and offers the best defense. They also will participate in jury selection and potentially object to improper testimony or evidence. While you can legally represent yourself, your chance of a favorable outcome in court rises when a criminal defense attorney represents you.

Contact Our Illinois Criminal Defense Lawyers Now

Being hit with an Illinois criminal charge is frightening, but an experienced attorney can help you Contact our Illinois defense attorneys at Villadonga & Villadonga. We can provide a solid defense to obtain a favorable case result, so contact us at (847) 298-5740.