Winnetka Criminal Defense Attorney

When you are accused of a crime, you might feel as though your world is falling apart. You might feel trapped and like the whole law system is against you, but this is not the case. Try to remain calm and get in contact with an attorney. If you are facing criminal charges, you should contact a Winnetka criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to start crafting a strategic defense.

Our accomplished criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of James E. Silverstein have over two decades of experience standing up for Winnetka residents. No matter what type of criminal charges you are facing, we are here to consult about your case and explore your options to obtain a positive outcome.

What To Do if You Are Accused of a Crime in Winnetka?

If you are arrested or informed that you are being accused of a crime in Winnetka, get in touch with a legal professional as soon as you can. You have the legal right to remain silent and not speak with anyone about your case until you have hired a lawyer, and it is in your interest to take advantage of this right.

After you have hired a criminal defense attorney, they examine your situation and determine what your ideal path forward is. If you plead guilty, your lawyer can utilize their strong negotiation skills and fight for you to walk away with a light sentence. If you plead not guilty, your lawyer will waste no time in collecting evidence to build a defense for your case.

Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Winnetka?

Even if you think your situation looks bleak and that there is no hope for your future, do not give up. A criminal defense lawyer can draw on their experience and in-depth understanding of the legal system to explore defenses you might not have thought of. They also have the time and resources to track down strong evidence that helps your case and that you might not have been able to use on your own. Possible defenses they can craft for your case include:

• Mistaken identity. If you were falsely accused of a crime, your lawyer can use evidence to prove that, from showing proof of your alibi to revealing that it was someone else with fingerprints or other incriminating information.
• Highlight self-defense. If you were defending yourself against an attack or some other life-threatening situation and ended up harming another person or doing something illegal, your lawyer might emphasize that you were only acting to protect yourself
• Violation of your rights. If law enforcement officers violated your constitutional rights when arresting you or in any other parts of your legal proceedings, your lawyer can highlight this. For example, if there was an illegal search of your property, this was a violation of your rights.
• Lack of evidence. Your lawyer can tell if the prosecution does not have sufficient evidence to make your case against you and can point this out.

While you do not technically need to work with a criminal defense lawyer in Winnetka, hiring one is the optimal choice if you want to achieve a positive outcome in your case. Without a qualified attorney, you can feel like you’re drowning in a rough sea. You will not have as much credibility and knowledge of how to navigate the complex legal system without a criminal defense lawyer.

If you do not hire a lawyer, your chances of being convicted of the crime and facing years of harsh punishments rise exponentially. Having a stain on your criminal record can impact your future and the lives of your loved ones more than you realize. It can set you back financially and hurt your prospects of finding work in the future. If you are in charge of your own company, it can affect your business as well.

Additionally, if you have to serve prison time, you can expect to have a difficult time getting a good job when you are out. You can also expect damage to your reputation, as being found guilty of a crime can cause you to lose credibility in many areas of your life.

What Are the Consequences for Crime in Winnetka?

The penalties you can expect to face if you are convicted of a crime in Winnetka are going to depend on what exactly you are accused of. Misdemeanors and felonies are the two main categories of crimes. Crimes that fall into the felony category are more severe than crimes that are considered misdemeanors.

Punishments for Misdemeanors in Winnetka

If you are found guilty of a misdemeanor in Winnetka, you can expect to face up to one year in jail and monetary fines of up to $1,000. For example, you might be charged with a misdemeanor for crimes such as the following:

• Shoplifting
• Trespassing
• Prostitution
• Public intoxication
• Indecent exposure
• Disorderly context

Punishments for Felonies in Winnetka

If you are accused of a felony, you are being accused of a serious crime. You can anticipate that the punishment for a felony charge will be much more severe than the punishment for a misdemeanor charge. For instance, depending on the circumstances of the crime you are convicted of, you could face decades in prison and tens of thousands of dollars in fines.

Crimes that are considered felonies include, but are not limited to:

• Money laundering
• Aggravated criminal charges (assault, kidnapping, robbery, DUI)
• Drug trafficking
• Identify theft
• Fraud
• Embezzlement
• Manslaughter

Some crimes can fall into both categories, and the consequences you could face are going to depend on factors like the severity of the incident and your past criminal offenses. For example, if you are charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and it is your first time being charged with this, you can likely expect to only pay a small fine. However, if you hurt someone or kill someone when you are intoxicated behind the wheel of a vehicle, you can expect to face much more serious consequences.

What Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

If you hire a criminal defense attorney to defend you, they can guide you through every step of your legal process. As soon as you have your initial consultation with them, they will begin working on your case and fighting for your future as hard as they can. In addition to crafting a strategic legal strategy, your lawyer can handle all of the following and more:

• Provide you with legal advice. Whether you are in handcuffs or at home facing a misdemeanor charge, looking at any sort of punishment for a crime can be confusing and overwhelming. Your lawyer can help you sort through the haze of stress and frustration and set your expectations for the legal process that lies ahead of you.
• Conduct case research. Life sometimes moves at a rapid speed, and if you were caught up in a situation and then accused of a crime, you might not be quite sure what happened. Your criminal defense lawyer can investigate what exactly occurred at the scene of the crime.
• Collect compelling evidence. When you hire an experienced lawyer to assemble your defense strategy, they can search far and wide for strong evidence that helps your case. From witness testimonies to medical records, a lawyer knows where to look for relevant evidence that can help build a convincing case.
• Stand up for you in court. Whether or not your case makes it to the courtroom depends on what exactly happened. However, if you do need to go before a judge and a jury, your lawyer is going to be there ready to stand up for you.

How Much Does a Criminal Lawyer Cost?

The amount of money you have to pay your criminal defense lawyer will vary based on a variety of different factors. For instance, the complexity of your case is going to have a lot to do with your legal fees. The more time and effort that your criminal defense attorney has to put into your case, the more you can expect to pay.

Similarly, your lawyer’s experience and reputation can influence the amount you have to pay. If your lawyer has a proven track record of defending people who have been accused of crimes, then you might have to pay more than a lawyer who is not as experienced.

Cost shouldn’t stop you from pursuing high-quality legal support, though. If you are convicted of a crime, it can permanently change the course of your life, as well as the lives of your loved ones. Paying for a lawyer who can fight to prevent drastic repercussions is always worth it.

A Winnetka Criminal Defense Lawyer You Can Trust

If you are facing a criminal charge, you need to get in touch with a reliable criminal attorney as soon as you can. At the Law Offices of James E. Silverstein, we have been representing people who have been charged with criminal acts for 20 years. If you are in search of a dedicated lawyer who will meticulously explore every defense strategy for your case, contact us today.