Bar fights can easily escalate from a minor dispute to a serious crime. If you were in a bar fight and charged with assault, you are likely wondering about your legal options and whether you could go to prison if convicted. As you face these charges, contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer, as violent crimes such as assault are often prosecuted aggressively, which makes retaining counsel an essential thing to do at this time.

What You Need to Know About Assault in Illinois

In Illinois, assault is a Class C misdemeanor and can result in up to 30 days in jail and a fine of $1,500. However, suppose the assault allegedly happened on public property. If this is the case, you could be charged with aggravated assault, which, at its most basic form, is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by one year in jail and fines up to $2,500. Moreover, if the assault involved using a deadly weapon or resulted in serious bodily harm, this can also be charged as aggravated assault. However, in cases involving a deadly weapon or serious bodily harm, the penalties of the crime are enhanced to being a Class 4 felony, punishable by up to three years in jail and $25,000 in fines.

Non-Legal Penalties for Assault in Illinois

In addition to the potential criminal penalties, an assault conviction can devastate your personal and professional life. It can make it challenging to find a job, rent an apartment, or obtain a loan, and it may even result in losing a professional license.

Hiring the right criminal defense attorney can make an enormous difference in the outcome of your case. A great criminal defense attorney can provide valuable legal guidance to help protect your rights, freedom, and interests. However, not all attorneys provide the same level of expertise, understanding, and commitment to their clients. Today, we will discuss the qualities of a great criminal defense attorney and how to find such legal services.

Qualities of a Great Criminal Defense Attorney

Here are qualities to look for, including:

• Knowledge – A great criminal defense attorney must have a deep understanding of criminal law. This includes courtroom procedures and strategies for defending clients during a trial. They should also have a solid understanding of local and state laws that impact your case.
• Communicative ability – Great lawyers are superb communicators. Your attorney should have no problem explaining legal concepts to you straightforwardly, deepening your understanding of your legal situation.
• Analytical skills – The ability to analyze and scrutinize evidence in criminal cases is crucial in supporting a client’s defense.
• Proactive efforts – A great defense attorney has the knowledge to determine essential issues in a case promptly. They will take the initiative, investigate the scene, and ensure all possible avenues to raise a meaningful defense.
• Willingness to fight – A successful attorney representing their clients is willing to fight vigorously for you while asserting the rights you are entitled to.

How to Hire a Great Criminal Attorney

When you are searching for a great criminal defense attorney, you should consider the following factors:

If you were pulled over for DUI in Illinois, it is crucial to know your rights and how to recognize if they were violated during the stop. This blog post will provide an overview of your constitutional rights during a DUI stop and how to recognize if those rights were violated, as well as what to do if you believe they were.

Understanding Your Rights During a DUI Stop

When you are stopped for DUI in Illinois, you have some constitutional rights that stop you from unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, which means that law enforcement officers must have a legitimate reason for stopping you, and must follow specific procedures when searching your person or vehicle.

During a DUI stop, it’s important to remain respectful to the officer, but you should also be aware of your rights.

As a parent, you only want the best for your child. But when they make decisions that are against the law, it is natural to be upset and disappointed, especially if they find ways to get their hands on alcohol or worse yet, drink and drive. You need an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you protect your child’s future if they are facing DUI charges.

Using a Fake ID

Teens can be very resourceful and they can easily figure out a way to get a fake identification, to gain access to alcohol. But if a teen is caught using someone else’s ID or a fake ID, they could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor and face one year in jail and up to $2,500 in fines. If they possess or attempt to use a fake ID it is considered a Class 4 felony, which has a possible sentence of one to three years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines. If they get behind the wheel of a car after consuming alcohol the consequences are more serious. A conviction of any crime involving a fake ID can lead to a suspension or revocation of their driver’s license.

Any Trace of Alcohol is Punishable by Law

In Illinois, the zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21 years of age is very clear. Any trace of alcohol could lead to charges for violating this ordinance and a possible DUI conviction. That means that if you are under 21 and convicted of driving with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of more than .00 you could face the following consequences:

Being charged with a sex crime can have life-changing consequences. It can destroy your family, career, and reputation. In Illinois, if there is a conviction you could spend years in prison and be required to register as a sex offender. It is important to have an experienced attorney to help you build a robust defense to fight sex crime charges. Attorney Scott Anderson is a former prosecutor and he knows how to stay one step ahead of the other side.

Silence

If you have been accused of a sex crime, silence is the best course to protect yourself. Do not answer police questions especially if they coerce you into talking. It is simply a tactic to attain information. Under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, you have the right to avoid answering questions that may be self-incriminatory. The best way to do this is to say nothing and simply request to see your attorney.

The Matter of Consent

Sex crimes often hinge on whether or not there was consent. The accuser will claim he or she did not consent while the accused will claim that the other person agreed to have sex. There are rarely witnesses so it becomes which side is more credible. A seasoned attorney will investigate the accuser. That could involve looking into phone records, texts, social media posts, and much more. Part of an aggressive defense strategy includes preparing the accused to testify in a trial if needed.