Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney

Understanding Criminal Charges & Penalties in Chicago

Criminal defense is an area of law that requires a high level of communication, an aggressive and relentless approach and outstanding courtroom skill. When charged with a serious criminal offense, there is extreme danger - if you are convicted of a felony offense, you may spend years in prison, or in less serious misdemeanor charges your criminal record will forever show your conviction, affecting your future prospects in employment and education. A record may even affect housing and financial opportunities. In the face of these consequences, you need someone in your corner, ready to defend your rights.

You can be assured that the prosecutor has evidence against you, and has every intention of convicting you. In fact, your case is one of hundreds they deal with and whether you are guilty of the crime or not, every effort will be made to get you locked up and put away. Many prosecutors are on the fast track regarding their career and carefully watch their "conviction percentage" as part of their future launch into private practice. You are definitely "just another number" in the eyes of the prosecuting attorney. When dealing with this situation you need to fight back and protect your constitutional rights with a skilled Chicago criminal defense lawyer who is equally powerful and determined.

Areas of Practice: Chicago Criminal Defense

You are not alone. Our criminal defense firm can help you challenge your charges as we work toward a positive resolution to your case, no matter the circumstances. For more information about some of the particular types of cases we handle, you can click on any of the links we have included below. You will be able to review helpful facts about that particular offense, the penalties you may face and more.

Appeals
If you have been found guilty of a crime, you may be able to appeal your verdict in a higher court. Legal representation is crucial in this process as the appellate process can be complicated and time-consuming. Read more on about appeals...

Arson
Arson is always charged as a felony because there is always the possibility that someone with be injured because of the fire. The penalties for deliberately setting fire to someone's home vary based on whether there was any injury or what type of dwelling was destroyed. Read more about arson...

Civil Rights Violations
In Illinois, it is illegal to discriminate based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, and more. If you have been accused of violating someone's civil rights, our firm is qualified to defend you. Read more about civil rights violations...

Domestic Battery
Also called domestic violence, domestic battery is knowingly causing bodily harm to a family member or household member. If you are arrested for domestic battery, you will not be allowed to return to your family for 72 hours and could have an order of protection taken out against you. Read more about domestic battery...

Drug Crimes
Drug crimes include: possession, trafficking, cultivation, manufacturing, driving under the influence of drugs, and sale. Some of these crimes are charged as misdemeanors, but the more serious cases could be classified as felonies. Read more about drug crimes...

DUI
If you have been found to be driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or above, you could be convicted of DUI. Not only could you have to pay steep fines, but you could be forced to spend time in jail and give up driving privileges. Read more about DUI...

Expungements
If you have made a mistake in your past, there are ways to remove it from your record. Expungement is not an option available to everyone, but with the help of a Chicago criminal defense attorney, your chances of succeeding are greatly increased. Read more about expungements...

Federal Cases
If you are facing a federal charge, you could be up against agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Agency. These organizations have considerably more resources and manpower and you will need strong legal representation if this is your case. Read more about federal cases...

Felony Charges
More serious crimes are often charged as felonies. These range from sex crimes to DUI to drug violations. If you are facing a felony conviction, it is very important that you meet with a qualified attorney. The penalties are harsher than misdemeanor convictions and could negatively affect your future. Read more about felony charges...

Misdemeanor Charges
There are three classes of misdemeanor crimes, each with varying degrees of penalties. Drug crimes, DUI, sex crimes, and theft could all be charged as misdemeanors if you do not have an aggressive attorney on your side. Read more about misdemeanor charges...

Order of Protection
An Order of Protection is taken out against someone who has been accused of domestic violence. When ordered by a court after a full hearing, the order may be effective for up to two years which can cause numerous difficulties for the accused. Read more about Order of Protection...

Police Misconduct
If you have been treated unfairly by law enforcement, it can be difficult to know where to turn to for help. If you have been falsely arrested, suffered from falsified evident, illegal search and seizure, or police brutality, a member of our legal team could help stand up for your rights. Read more about police misconduct...

Probation Violations
If you have accidently violated one of the terms of your probation, you could be sent to jail for the remainder of your sentence. Examples of probation violations include: failing a drug test, failure to complete community service, or missing a mandatory meeting with a probation officer. Read more about probation violations...

Sex Crimes
Sex crimes include possessing child pornography, prostitution, solicitation, rape, and sex with a minor. Besides fines and jail time, a convicted offender will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life. Read more about sex crimes...

Theft
Penalties for theft crimes range based on the type of goods stolen as well as the amount stolen. Petty theft, burglary, shoplifting, and carjacking could be classified as misdemeanors or felonies. Due to the serious nature of these crimes, it is crucial you speak with a Chicago criminal defense attorney. Read more about theft...

Traffic Offenses
Many people do not realize that when they pay for a traffic ticket, they are pleading guilty to the violation. If you have been falsely accused of speeding, DUI, reckless driving, mobile phone violations, or driving with a revoked license, contact our firm for help. Read more about traffic offenses...

Violent Crimes
If you have been charged with robbery, rape, assault and battery, domestic violence, manslaughter, murder, or burglary, your situation could not be more serious. As the penalties could be as severe as the death penalty, talk to a qualified legal representative for help. Read more about violent crimes...

Weapon/Gun Offenses
Possession of a firearm without an FOID card, unlawful use of a weapons, illegal importation and distribution, and concealed weapon crimes are all weapons crimes that could be punishable by jail. If you unknowingly broke one of these laws, contact an attorney from our firm. Read more about weapon/gun offenses...

White Collar Crimes
White collar crimes are so named because they usually happen in business settings. Employees who are in a place of trust can steal money and information that they have been given access to. If you have been convicted of embezzlement, bribery, fraud, identity theft, or tax evasion, we can examine your case and seek to get your charges dropped. Read more about white collar crimes...

In addition to reviewing the links listed above, you can visit our criminal defense blog for recent news and helpful tips regarding this important field. Of course, we also welcome you to schedule an in-person consultation or to discuss your case with one of our professionals over the phone. Nothing compares to having your specific questions answered and your concerns addressed by a skilled attorney.

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving the Cicero, Berwyn & Evanston Areas

When facing the odds in a criminal case, fighting for your defense is a critical matter. Not all attorneys have the talent in the courtroom to present a compelling defense to the jury. It has been proven on countless high-profile cases that the skill of the defense team is of ultimate importance in any criminal trial. At the Law Offices of Michael P. Schmiege, the legal team is prepared to aggressively pursue all avenues of defense, and to seek out any flaw in the case against you and exploit it in the fight for your freedom.

The ability to negotiate, plea bargain and litigate is the strong suit of the legal team at the firm, and no matter how serious the charge, you can be assured that all the tools in the arsenal of the defense team will be brought into play when defending your case, from DUI to serious felony charges like murder or rape. Your case will be a priority and you will be kept apprised of the progress of your case throughout the legal process. It is critical to get legal representation as soon as possible after the arrest to avoid the pitfalls that can result without a powerful legal defender at your side.

Contact a Chicago criminal defense attorney from the Law Offices of Michael P. Schmiege today.