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Can I Appeal My Illinois Criminal Conviction?
Dealing with an Illinois criminal conviction is stressful, and when a conviction lands on your record, it can greatly affect your future. In some cases, you may be able to appeal your criminal conviction, though this will need to be done quickly to ensure the appeal process starts as soon as a conviction is handed down. You will need a skilled Illinois criminal defense attorney at your side to advocate for your rights throughout this process.
When Can I Appeal an Illinois Criminal Conviction?
Unless explicitly stated during the sentencing process, you have the right to fight your criminal conviction and resulting sentence with an appeal. There are many reasons why an appeal might be filed, and it is up to your attorney to point out these reasons as grounds for an appeal. Common reasons why an appeal might be requested include:
Understanding Felony Charges in Illinois
Felony charges are among the most serious criminal convictions you can face in Illinois, and these charges vary depending on the severity of the crime committed. Illinois provides different classifications for different types of felonies, and it is important to be aware of felony charges and their associated penalties if you find yourself facing a criminal conviction.
Of course, a solid defense strategy and the help of an experienced Illinois criminal defense lawyer are key to minimizing any felony charges against you.
Felony Classifications in Illinois
In Illinois, the Unified Code of Corrections outlines the different classifications of felonies in the state and their correlating punishments. There are five felony classifications in Illinois, in addition to the felony of first-degree murder, which is a separate classification.
Will My Prescription Drugs Cause a DUI?
Many people around Illinois may take prescription drugs to help with certain health conditions and to ensure they can go about their days with minimal pain and symptoms. However, when you need to take your prescription drug and drive, you might be facing charges for driving under the influence if your drugs affect the way you operate your vehicle.
If you find yourself facing a charge for a prescription drug-related DUI, you will need to contact an Illinois DUI drug defense lawyer to learn about your legal options.
Understanding Illinois DUI Law
Illinois has fairly straightforward laws when it comes to driving under the influence. According to the Illinois Vehicle Code, driving under the influence is defined as when a person drives while under the influence of alcohol, chemical substances such as a prescription drug, or controlled substances, such as illegal drugs. All of these items can impair how you operate your vehicle and impact reaction times, awareness, and cognitive functions.
Is Breaking and Entering the Same as Burglary in Illinois?
In Illinois, breaking and entering is not a term mentioned in the law. Instead, Illinois classifies what people generally think of as breaking and entering, which is entering property unlawfully with the intent to commit a felony or a theft, as burglary.
If there is no intent to commit a crime once unlawfully inside a property, this action may instead be considered trespass or criminal trespass. Intent to commit a crime must be proven in these kinds of cases for a burglary conviction to be handed down. It is important to have an experienced Illinois criminal defense lawyer on your side if you find yourself facing burglary charges after unlawfully entering a home, vehicle, boat, or other property.
What Is Burglary in Illinois?
When facing burglary charges in Illinois, it is important to understand what the state considers burglary. Despite many people thinking you can only be charged with burglary if you steal something, this is not generally the case in Illinois.
Does Crime Increase During the Summer?
As we enter the summer months in Illinois, people start to enjoy the warm weather outdoors and spend time traveling for vacation. However, crime has been shown to spark during the summer months, increasing the likelihood of being involved in criminal behavior.
Instead of letting the heat get to you this summer and catching a criminal charge that affects your future, you should be taking steps to avoid potentially violent situations and keep yourself safe.
Of course, if you are charged with a crime during the summer, an experienced Illinois criminal defense lawyer is essential to helping you defend your case.
Warmer Weather Can Lead to More Crime
While many people enjoy warmer weather and the fun activities summer brings, it has been noted throughout recent years that criminal behaviors increase as the weather warms.
How Can an Illinois Criminal Defense Lawyer Help Me?
Facing criminal charges in Illinois is challenging, and it is not the best idea to try and understand the legal system without the guidance of an experienced criminal defense attorney. This is true for any charge you may be facing, as criminal charges can severely affect your future in many ways.
An Illinois criminal defense lawyer can help you understand the charges against you and work to mitigate their effect on your future.
When to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Even if you think your criminal charges are ‘minor,’ you are facing charges for the first time, or you believe you are innocent after an arrest, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer. Criminal defense lawyers are invaluable for virtually every situation, as the Illinois criminal justice system can be difficult to navigate alone.
What Is Illegal Search and Seizure in Illinois?
Search and seizure is often a controversial topic. Many federal and Illinois laws surround the act of searching vehicles or homes and seizing evidence. Law enforcement officers must ensure that they complete the proper steps for search and seizure in Illinois. Otherwise, this process may be a violation of your constitutional rights.
A knowledgeable Illinois criminal defense lawyer can review a search and seizure that may have resulted in a drug charge to check for legalities that can impact the outcome of a potential conviction.
Understanding Illegal Search and Seizure
In Illinois, the state constitution mirrors that of the U.S. Constitution’s Fourth Amendment, protecting against “unreasonable” searches and seizures. This law sets a standard for all search and seizures within the state of Illinois to be carried out with the use of warrants or the presence of ‘probable cause,’ which is a legal standard for police to meet before they can make an arrest or conduct a search.
Is Burglary a Felony in Illinois?
Burglary is a serious crime, and Illinois penalizes it harshly. This criminal act is typically classified as a felony in the state, though different felony levels depend on the type of burglary and other associated factors. If you have been charged with burglary, it is important to reach out to an experienced Illinois burglary defense attorney as soon as possible to understand your rights and legal options.
Understanding Illinois Burglary Penalties
The Illinois criminal code outlines burglary and penalties associated with acts of burglary or owning burglary tools. In general, burglary is entering a building, vehicle, trailer, train car, or watercraft intending to steal. Burglary is usually considered a Class 2 felony in the state, which means that a person charged with burglary could face up to seven years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
Can Speeding Cost Me My License in Illinois?
Speeding is one of the most common traffic violations in Illinois. It can carry harsh penalties and leave you facing long-term consequences such as fines, losing your driver’s license, and jail time. Suppose you have been charged with speeding or repeated speeding violations. In that case, it is important to work with a knowledgeable Illinois speeding defense lawyer to try and minimize the impact of any speeding charges you face.
Illinois Penalties for Speeding
The state of Illinois takes speeding seriously and uses a points system for traffic and speeding violations. Receiving three or more charges that result in points on your license within a year can result in driver’s license suspension or revocation for drivers older than 21. In contrast, drivers younger than 21 can receive a license suspension after two offenses within 24 months.
Can I Go to Jail for Unknowingly Buying a Stolen Vehicle?
Carjacking is a notorious problem in many parts of Illinois, and prosecutors are coming down hard on people caught stealing cars to try to make an example out of them. But what happens to those stolen cars? Are they ever sold and passed off as legitimate?
Of course criminal vehicle theft carries hefty penalties in Illinois, but buying or receiving a stolen vehicle may also land you in legal trouble, even if you did not know that the vehicle was stolen. If you have been caught with a stolen vehicle, you will need the guidance of an experienced Illinois auto theft defense attorney to help you navigate these charges and show the court that you did not knowingly purchase or possess a stolen vehicle.
Penalties for Illinois Vehicle Theft
Illinois law is strict when it comes to vehicle theft, and the penalties for stealing a vehicle or possessing a stolen vehicle can be severe. Under Illinois criminal code, you can face between three to seven years in prison and fines of up to $25,000 if you steal or possess a vehicle valued at $10,000 or more; this is classified as a Class B felony.
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