Some people make the mistake of thinking that misdemeanor crimes don’t have serious—and long-lasting—consequences, but that’s simply not true. In fact, misdemeanors can carry extremely serious penalties; they also stay on your criminal record permanently unless you were tried, convicted, and sentenced as a juvenile or you petitioned the court to have them expunged.
What to Do if You’re Accused of a Misdemeanor
When you’re accused of a misdemeanor crime, whether it seems like something minor or not, it’s a good idea to consult with a Chicago criminal defense attorney who understands Illinois law and how it applies in your case.
Your lawyer will ask you several questions and determine what type of evidence the prosecution has against you. It’s in your best interest to be honest with your attorney; he won’t ask you questions he doesn’t need honest answers to.
While every case is different, and your lawyer will ask specific questions related to your situation, he’ll probably also ask you common questions, such as:
- Where you were during the alleged incident
- What happened during the alleged incident
- Whether there is anyone available to corroborate your story (back up your version of events with their own version of events)
- Whether you have a previous criminal record, including whether you’ve been accused of this same crime before—and whether you were convicted
- Why you believe you were charged with this crime
Ideally, you’ll be able to call a Chicago criminal defense lawyer soon after your arrest. The more time you give your attorney to prepare your defense, the better.
Do You Need to Talk to a Criminal Defense Lawyer About a Misdemeanor Charge in Chicago?
Whether you were charged with a misdemeanor in Chicago, Skokie, or Rolling Meadows, you can call us at 847-920-4540 for a free case review. We’ll evaluate your situation, give you case-specific legal advice you can act on, and begin formulating the defense that gets you the best possible outcome.
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