Misdemeanor
Commonly attributed to Abraham Lincoln, it goes, “He who represents himself has a fool for a client.” Many people charged with a misdemeanor may think it’s no big deal and they appear before a judge on their own behalf. Before you do this, speak with the criminal defense attorneys in Chicago IL at The Law Office of Jeffrey J. Kent.
What is a Misdemeanor?
There are three classes of misdemeanors in Illinois:
Class A;
Class B; and
Class C.
A Class A Misdemeanor can result in up to 364 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2500.
A Class B Misdemeanor can result in up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1500.
A Class C Misdemeanor can result in up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1500.
Obviously, serving jail time is an option most people want to avoid. But so are hefty fines. There are other alternatives, such as supervision, conditional discharge and probation, restitution, credit for home detention prior to judgment, good behavior allowance, electronic monitoring and home detention, and lesser fines.
Having criminal defense attorneys in Chicago IL from The Law Office of Jeffrey J. Kent working on your behalf increases your odds of either receiving a more agreeable sentence or having charges dropped.
Can My Record Be Sealed?
There are circumstances under which you can seal your misdemeanor record, even after a conviction. The best way to understand your rights if you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor is to speak with an attorney.
Don’t go before a judge without representation, or at least before you speak with the criminal defense attorneys in Chicago IL at The Law Office of Jeffrey J. Kent. Be wise.