Your reputation is one of the most valuable assets you have, and so if you have been arrested one of the first calls you may want to make is to one of the criminal lawyers in Tinley Park. Regardless of whether the incident happened in Illinois or Indiana an attorney can help you put on a strong defense and help you clear your name.
The law regarding crime may seem confusing and complex, especially if this is the first time you have been arrested. Offenses are divided into two categories, misdemeanour and felony. A misdemeanour is considered a less serious offense while a felony conviction has more serious consequences such as longer prison sentences. If found guilty of a felony you may also lose some of your civil rights, including owning a gun, having a driver’s license or being able to vote.
The criminal lawyers Tinley Park will review your case and determine a plan of action for your defense. Each case is different, and so it may be beneficial for you to find an attorney who specializes in your kind of situation. Some attorneys are skilled handling assault cases, theft and drug crimes, while others handle white collar crimes such as embezzlement and fraud. But no matter what category the crime falls under, you are entitled to the best defense possible. And it’s important to get the process started as soon as possible.
Prosecutors have vast resources as their disposal. They have detectives, crime scene technicians and other experts to work with. You will need to hire a resourceful attorney who can conduct a significant investigation of her own to gather your own evidence. She will also know what prosecution evidence needs to be challenged or disproved. The circumstances of the charges may also increase the risk of a longer sentence if there’s a conviction. If it involves an assault against a minority, for example, prosecutors may be able to add additional charges, claiming it was a hate crime.
If you have already been convicted, one of the criminal lawyers in Tinley Park may still be able to help. They can try to reopen your case or file an appeal if there are new witnesses or evidence to prove your innocence. Most court records are considered public information, but an attorney can try to keep them as private as possible. She may try to have your case files sealed or have the conviction erased, or expunged, from your record.
