St. Charles Criminal Defense Lawyer

Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer Advocating Agaisnt False Charges in St. Charles, IL

One of the most frightening situations you can find yourself in is sitting in the back of a police car, wearing handcuffs, on your way to the police station to be booked and placed in a jail cell. The Illinois criminal justice system is complex, with law enforcement officials who can sometimes be aggressive and prosecutors who can be overzealous. If you have been charged with a crime, reaching out to The Law Office of Brian J. Mirandola is imperative to ensure that your rights are protected. Do not try to defend against these charges without a seasoned St. Charles criminal defense lawyer fighting for you.

Have You Been Charged With a Crime?

If you are being investigated or have already been charged, there are critical factors you need to be aware of. The first is that law enforcement will most likely try to interview you to get you to admit to a crime or say something that can be used in the case against you. You have the right to remain silent, which is the best thing you can do for your case. Do not speak to police until you have consulted with a St. Charles criminal defense attorney.

After you have been arrested, the next step will be a bond hearing, where a judge will decide whether to set bail and how much that bail will be. If you are unable to post bail, you will be forced to stay in jail until your case has been resolved. It is strongly recommended that you have a lawyer present at your bond hearing to argue why you should be released and why the amount set by the court should be lowered.

Once the prosecutor has decided the exact charges against you, there will be an arraignment where the formal charges will be read, and you will enter your plea. The legal team at The Law Office of Brian J. Mirandola will be laser-focused on investigating the case against you and looking for the holes in the prosecution's case.

What Happens in a Criminal Defense Case?

Criminal defense cases proceed in more or less the same way every time. If a plea deal is not immediately reached, you can expect the following phases:

• The discovery phase – Both sides exchange evidence, including all of the evidence police have gathered against you. This includes physical evidence, witness statements, lab results, photos, videos, and any other information, and it must also include evidence that suggests you are not guilty.
• The pre-trial phase – During this phase, we will begin developing the best defense strategy based on the circumstances of your case and the evidence we uncover to prepare for trial. Your St. Charles criminal defense lawyer will interview all witnesses who may have information about your case and secure evidence that could play a role in your defense.
• Negotiating a plea bargain – Depending on how strong or weak the case against you is, plea bargain negotiations may be considered, particularly if the evidence against you is substantial. There are many factors that may determine an appropriate plea agreement, and your attorney will advise you on the best direction to take for your case.
• The trial – If the case against you is not dismissed, or if a plea bargain is not reached during this process, your case will proceed to trial. Both the prosecutor and your criminal defense lawyer will each present their cases to the jury. Every defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty, and the prosecutor has the burden of proving that guilt. Once both sides rest their cases, the jury will decide whether you are guilty or not guilty.

We Have Experience Defending Many Types of Criminal Charges

Attorney Brian Mirandola has been fighting for clients for decades. He is known throughout the St. Charles legal community as an aggressive advocate who is committed to defending the rights of those who have been accused of crimes. With his earlier background as a former Assistant State's Attorney, he knows the tactics prosecutors and law enforcement use against defendants, including overcharging defendants to get them to plead to lesser charges.

Our firm has extensive experience representing clients who have been charged with both misdemeanors and felonies, including the following crimes:

• Assault and battery
• Burglary
• Domestic violence
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Drug crimes
• Forgery
• Motor vehicle theft
• Property crimes
• Sex crimes
• Theft
• Traffic violations
• Underage drinking

Contact Our St. Charles, Illinois Criminal Defense Lawyer

Have you or someone you love been arrested? Do not try to defend against these charges on your own. Your freedom and your future could depend on having a skilled St. Charles, IL criminal defense attorney representing you. Call The Law Office of Brian J. Mirandola at 847-488-0889 to schedule a free consultation and find out how our firm can help. Contact us right away.