There are a variety of ways that one can end up getting charged with a misdemeanor offense. Unfortunately, most people in Illinois and the whole country end up getting charged with a misdemeanor every year. For some, it is possible to dismiss how serious the charges can be. However, it would be a mistake to do this. When you get charged with a misdemeanor it will appear on background checks and can result in you losing your job, missing out on state and federal aid, and denial of security clearance and you may have to deal with other severe consequences. As a result of a misdemeanor, an individual may have to serve a maximum jail sentence.
If you are facing charges for a Class B Misdemeanor in Illinois it is crucial for you to understand the consequences of this crime in the case where you end up getting convicted.
Compared to a felony a misdemeanor can be considered a less serious crime. Even so, you should keep in mind that a misdemeanor can still result in life-changing and severe consequences. When you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to work on your case they may be able to either reduce your charges or get your case dismissed.
Types of Crimes That Are Class B Misdemeanors
There are different types of misdemeanors. Misdemeanor charges have three tiers. Crimes that are charged as Class B Misdemeanors are considered to be major criminal violations. Some of the offenses that lie under the misdemeanor class B offenses lie under this category while others progress to a class B misdemeanor offense as a result of other present aggravating factors. Common misdemeanor charges that lie under this class of misdemeanor category in Chicago, Illinois are;
- Aggravated speeding.
- Being in possession of Marijuana that is less than ten grams.
- Telephone harassment.
- Criminal trespass.
- Falsely reporting a crime.
- Illegal possession
Despite the classification of a misdemeanor crime, it can fall under this category depending on the facts surrounding the case or it can progress to a felony charge. One thing that you should keep in mind is the possibility of a felony prosecutor upgrading the felony offense from a misdemeanor charge up to felony status. This can happen depending on a number of factors, one of these factors is the circumstances surrounding the case. For this reason, it is important to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer work on your case from the start. They can put up an aggressive defense and help you avoid a maximum penalty or a felony conviction.
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Penalties For Class B Misdemeanors
There are other harsher penalties that can occur as a result of misdemeanors in Illinois aside from a potential jail sentence. Instead of a judge adding a convict more time on their actual jail time they can instead opt to impose a combination of a variety of Alternative sentencing options. The alternative kinds of penalties are as listed below;
- Conditional discharge or probation.
- An order can be given to pay restitution to the victim and may be required in the case where the victim was injured or has property damage as a result of the crime committed.
- Periodic imprisonment. Periodic imprisonment can happen for a period of ninety days or even several days in jail. This involves the prisoner being released from jail so they can attend school, look for a job, and take care of their family, or they may have to live at home while wearing an electronic monitoring device.
When a jail sentence is set it has to be set for a certain period of time and there must be supervision after the prisoner gets released.
If a defendant pleads guilty to the criminal offense the judge may consider placing the individual under supervision for a reasonable period of time and conditions will be set. A considerable period of time can be two years. Any further proceedings will then be held off by the judge until the period of supervision is over.
A misdemeanor conviction can attract the following criminal penalties;
- Heavy fines are between $75 -$1500.
- Six months in jail
- Probation of two years.
A Chicago DUI Defense experienced misdemeanor lawyer can represent you and help you get a positive outcome in this type of misdemeanor case. We can instead help you to avoid a maximum sentence or you getting charged on record for a petty offense and instead help you find alternative options for this misdemeanor classification. An alternative form of punishment is community service instead of one having to get the maximum punishment.
How an Attorney Can Help With Misdemeanor Charges
At Chicago DUI Defense our experienced trial attorney has years of experience defending our clients. We know that defending a misdemeanor crime is just as important as defending a felony criminal offense. As criminal defense attorneys, we know that any criminal charge on our clients if it leads to a conviction will greatly impact their life negatively by attracting long-term penalties and harsh and life-changing consequences. Such as loss of job opportunities or employment opportunities if a criminal background check is conducted.
Our qualified criminal defense lawyers are familiar with the criminal justice process and are ready to dedicate their time and as well their resources in order to learn about the specific issues revolving around your case. We are committed to finding evidence and getting witness statements and doing any other thing necessary so we create a strong defense for your case during the legal process and help you avoid negative consequences.
We would love to hear from you. We encourage you to give us a call, send us an email, or fill in the contact form on our page to get in touch with us and schedule a free initial consultation. Tell our misdemeanor attorney about your case and let us present you with the possible legal options as we answer your questions. Go ahead and get in touch with a Chicago DUI Defense criminal defense lawyer today.
