Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Facing criminal charges in Chicago is frightening. You likely are not sure where the case will go and if you will ever see your freedom again. Not every criminal case is open and shut. There might not be enough evidence to secure a conviction on the part of the prosecution. Maybe the expert witness testimony is not convincing enough for the jury. Or, maybe your testimony helps convince the judge or jury that you were not as involved in the commission of the crime as the charges suggest. No matter what, you need to build a strong defense to criminal charges.
Understand Your Rights
One of the most important steps to take in building a strong defense to criminal charges is understanding your rights. Everyone should know that they are protected by the Fifth Amendment in that they do not have to incriminate themselves when speaking to police officers or other investigators in regards to a crime. You are to be read your Miranda Rights by the arresting officer so that you know what you say can be used against you in court. With this in the back of your head, you should refrain from saying much when in custody.
Understand the Charges Against You
Even if you have already spoken to a criminal defense attorney, you should still find out everything you need to know about the charges levied against you. Find out what every charge is called, why you were hit with those charges, and what types of penalties come with the charges. You need to have a clear understanding of the charges so you are not surprised when at arraignment or if the case reaches trial or sentencing.
Avoid Pleading Guilty
Do not enter a guilty plea when faced with criminal charges. Just because you have been charged, it does not necessarily mean that you will wind up being convicted of those charges. There is still plenty of reason to believe that you and your criminal defense attorney can have the charges dropped or reduced. You have every right to fight the charges levied against you by the government in Chicago.
Understand Your Options
There are options available to you when fighting criminal charges in Chicago. You do not just have to accept what happened and plead guilty. Every criminal case is different. What your friend experienced will likely be different from what you experience. With that said, it is important to look for different ways to not only defend your innocence but also finding a more favorable solution to the case. Have you considered alternative sentencing? Alternative sentencing is offered in various criminal cases. It allows some people charged with a crime to complete a DUI or drug abuse course, conduct community service, and other activities in lieu of being sent to jail or having to pay hefty fines. Alternative sentencing is not always available and is usually only an option for first-time offenders who have an otherwise clean background.
Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney Today
The best defense you can build to fight a criminal charge is to speak with and hire an experienced criminal defense attorney. The minute you are arrested and charged with a crime, you need to invoke your Fifth Amendment rights and remain silent. Do not say anything that will incriminate you further. You should then contact a criminal defense attorney who knows the court system in Chicago. Call the office of David Freidberg today at 312-560-7100 to schedule a consultation about your case and to begin building a strong defense to the charges levied against you. Do not wait a minute longer. Call today to work for your freedom.
(image courtesy of Brandon Mowinkel)
