Criminal Defense FAQ’s

Being arrested in Illinois is a scary, confusing, discombobulating experience. You likely know that you need legal help, but you are not sure exactly who to tell, where to get it, or just what to do in general.

These questions answer the most common and pressing concerns people tend to have about the initial stages of reaching out to and working with a criminal lawyer.

Following Charges: How to Get The Help You Need

If you would like to reach Mr. Weisberg quickly and directly, please call his cell phone 24/7 at (773) 908-9811 or fill out the form on our website. The consultation is free.

Should you or a loved one be arrested and charged with a crime, it’s essential that you consult an attorney at a reputable Chicago criminal defense law firm right away. Even if your charges seem minor, or if this is your first offense, it is imperative to have the legal guidance of an experienced attorney at every step of the process.

Initial consultations are free of charge and will be conducted in a private, comfortable setting. The main benefits of these initial consults are that they allow accused individuals to:

After you get in contact with us, we will schedule a free initial consultation with you as soon as possible. These consultations will be conducted in a private, comfortable setting. They are beneficial to people who have been accused of a crime for a number of reasons.

• They let you tell your story to someone who knows the law and whose goal it is to help you.
• They enable Mr. Weisberg to ask follow-up questions to get a better sense of the facts of your case and understand how he can help.
• They allow you to experience Mr. Weisberg’s communication style — and vice versa — to see if you feel comfortable with each other before formally agreeing to work together.
• You get to ask Mr. Weisberg questions to learn more about his background, how he would approach your defense, and what course of action he would recommend.

When a person is arrested and booked, the prosecutor/district attorney makes a decision about what to charge the person with. A defense attorney will work at this time to protect your constitutional rights, including the right to:

• The right to remain silent.
• The right to be treated humanely.
• The right to avoid “cruel and unusual punishment.”
• The right to be treated as innocent until you are proven guilty in a court of law.
• The right to speak with an attorney before being questioned by police.
• The right to have your lawyer present when talking to the police.
• The right to be released if you are not charged in a specified amount of time.
• The right to a speedy trial.

Posting money or a bond as bail, which acts as a surety for your later appearance in court, is an option at this time. Before bail money or a bond is posted, contact a Chicago criminal law attorney to discuss your legal options.

A person charged with a crime may be faced with a probable cause hearing or another preliminary hearing. A defense attorney can attempt to get a dismissal or reduction of the criminal charge(s) at such a hearing.

If the case proceeds to trial, a competent and aggressive defense attorney is of paramount importance to the defendant, whether the trial is held before a judge alone or a jury. A defense attorney may also be able to persuade the prosecutor to reduce the charges, possibly in a plea bargain.

There is a range of possible sentences for any given crime. A defense attorney will fight to get the most favorable sentence for an individual who is convicted of a crime.

If you would like to reach Mr. Weisberg quickly and directly, please call his cell phone 24/7 at (773) 908-9811 or fill out the form on our website. The consultation is free.

Building a strong defense to get your charges reduced (or, if possible, dropped altogether) takes legal prowess and some savvy work, including (not limited to):

Crafting the right defense to get charges reduced, dropped, or dismissed takes legal savvy and dedicated effort, including:

• An understanding of how the other side thinks to more easily poke holes in their argument.
• Sitting down with each client to get their clear, full account of what happened.
• The willingness and skill to seek out experts and track down witnesses to testify on your behalf.
• The ability to speedily track down and collect evidence of all types.

The Criminal Defense Process:

In Chicago and surrounding counties, the criminal law process has a set format. A skilled Chicago criminal defense attorney is completely familiar with the process and can work at every stage of the process to minimize the negative consequences in your criminal case.

If you are being investigated for a crime, or you suspect that you may be the subject of an investigation, it’s wise to have a defense attorney at the soonest possible point in time. If you have already been arrested and further investigation is called for, a criminal defense attorney and private investigators can help uncover information that is beneficial to your case.

Mr. Weisberg’s job starts the moment you hire him and does not end until after a verdict or plea bargain is reached — and sometimes not even then. How does the defense process work?

If you work with him while the police are still questioning you, he will be able to protect your rights during this process. This includes but is not limited to:

• Making sure you don’t say or do anything to further incriminate yourself.
• Ensuring that the police and prosecutor follow all proper rules and procedures.
• Advocating for your rights if he believes they are being violated.

Once you are formally charged, he will:

• Go over the facts of your case with you.
• Advise you on your options and how to plead.
• Open negotiations with the prosecutor/district attorney to reduce your charges/penalties and get you the best possible deal.
• Conduct an investigation.
• Collect evidence.
• Talk to witnesses.
• Reach out to experts.
• Coordinate with appropriate legal organizations and offices.
• File necessary court documents.
• Attend all necessary hearings and meetings.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony? How serious are the penalties that you are facing? Are there other potential consequences that you are not being told about? What if you do not agree with your charges? What goes into building a criminal defense?

Dealing with criminal charges in Illinois is a complicated matter, but the frequently asked questions below will help to demystify some of the bigger concerns you likely have. If you still have specific worries after reading, get in touch with Mr. Weisberg.

Chicago criminal charges are serious accusations that, upon conviction, can result in:

• permanent marks on a criminal record
• mandatory community service
• sizable fines
• loss of driving privileges and/or voting rights
• loss of freedom (due to either jail time or work furlough assignments)

Criminal convictions can affect a person’s reputation, personal relationships, and future career and educational opportunities. Because of the severe penalties that so often accompany a criminal conviction, it is essential to obtain representation from a highly trained, well-respected criminal defense attorney from the start.

Public defenders are usually overburdened and often don’t have enough time to spend on each case they handle. Defendants can ensure that they achieve the best possible outcome to a case by securing the services of a legal team that has a proven track record of legal prowess, professionalism, and success.

If you are facing criminal charges in Chicago, and are seeking an attorney who will fight aggressively and tirelessly on your behalf, contact the Law Offices of Andrew M. Weisberg. Mr. Weisberg has extensive experience handling a wide array of criminal charges.

Building Your Criminal Defense Case

A seasoned criminal defense lawyer will work hard to protect your constitutional rights by:

• Developing a personalized attorney-client relationship with you and your family
• Working with specialists, such as psychiatrists, forensic scientists, or ballistics experts to support your claims when expert testimony is required in official legal proceedings
• Thoroughly examining all evidence against you (including opposing witness testimonies) to find fallacies or inconsistencies in it (thereby weakening the prosecution and bolstering your defense)
• Investigating any new evidence (including other witness testimonies) to support your claims
• Representing you at every stage of the legal process, including bail hearings, trial proceedings, and parole hearings

If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime in Chicago, contact the Law Offices of Andrew M. Weisberg for experienced and dedicated representation in your case. All initial consultations are free and confidential.

If you would like to reach Mr. Weisberg quickly and directly, please call his cell phone 24/7 at (773) 908-9811 or fill out the form on our website. The consultation is free.

Types of Criminal Charges in Chicago

Criminal charges can be filed at the state or federal level, and, in most cases, the sentencing will be harsher if an individual has a prior criminal record. Common types of criminal charges may include (but aren’t limited to):

• drug charges
• immigration offenses
• property crimes
• sex offenses
• violent crimes
• white-collar crimes

In 2008, nearly four times as many people in Chicago were convicted of property crimes, rather than violent crimes. The most common criminal charges to secure conviction included larceny, burglary, and car theft.

Despite this fact, however, Chicago convicts over two times more individuals (than most states in the U.S.) of violent crimes, such as murder, rape, and aggravated assault.