A person suspected or accused of committing a crime in Waukegan, may have to go to court to prove their innocence. A criminal conviction can range from a minor punishment such as a fine to major punishment. Major punishment includes prison time. If suspected of a crime, it’s important for an individual to hire a criminal defense attorney waukegan il.
Types of Crimes in Waukegan
Crimes are separated into two categories: misdemeanors and felonies. A misdemeanor is the less serious crime. It doesn’t involve a serious criminal punishment. In fact, a person convicted of a misdemeanor may spend up to a year in prison. They could pay a fine and receive no jail time. Examples of misdemeanor crimes in Illinois include public intoxication, possession of small amounts of drugs and petty theft.
A felony is the most serious crime that can be committed in Waukegan. It is such as serious crime, a person convicted of a felony faces prison time. They will spend at least one year in state prison. Depending on the seriousness of the crime, they can spend decades in state prison. They may even die as punishment for the crime they committed. Examples of a felony include burglary, murder and aggravated assault.
In Illinois, some crimes may be misdemeanors and felonies. The severity of the criminal act determines whether the person is charged with a felony or misdemeanor. It also depends on whether a person committed the same crime previously.
The Criminal Process in Waukegan, Illinois
Illinois criminal law process is not one step, but several steps. The stages of the process depend on how long it takes for investigators to investigate the crime and whether the case goes to trial. For instance, prior to a criminal charge, police must investigate the crime. The next step may be going to a judge to have them issue a search warrant. This allows investigators to search for evidence regarding the crime.
Criminal charges are usually filed after investigators interview witnesses and interrogate suspects. If they have probable cause a particular person committed the crime, they will arrest them. Once criminal charges are filed, officials will be arraigned in court. This is where the accused will tell the court whether they plead guilty or not guilty to the crime.
The time between the arraignment and trial, prosecutors and the defendant’s defense attorney will work on a plea bargain. A plea bargain is an agreement between the state and defendant. The defendant’s pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence. The plea bargain ends the criminal justice process.
However, if no plea bargain is reached, the defendant goes to trial. This is where prosecutors try to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt by presenting evidence gathered during the police’s investigation. The defense also presents evidence to challenge the state’s case. After the trial, a verdict is reached. If the defendant is found guilty, they may be able to appeal the verdict. However, if the verdict is not guilty, they can’t be retried to the crime.
