This is the first post in a series of articles which will address defending against first-time drug offenses in Peoria and other areas of Illinois. I consider it important to write on this topic as many individuals do not know what to expect when they are facing the criminal justice system for the first time. This can, unfortunately, result in people not taking the matter as seriously as they should. The goal of my coming articles is to provide information which will help people to better understand their predicament. It is also my goal to provide information which will assist with the hiring of a criminal defense attorney. If you or a family member have been arrested then contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.
I will be addressing several topics over my upcoming articles. Issues which I will be analyzing include:
- The difference between misdemeanor and felony drug charges
- How first-time offenses are impacted by search and seizure issues
- What to expect if the case goes to trial
- Sealing one’s Illinois record after a drug conviction
I have chosen to address these particular topics for multiple reasons. First, Illinois is like other states in that it has several different levels of drug-related crimes on the books. Understanding the difference between misdemeanor and felony charges is vital to understanding the potential consequences of one’s particular offense. Second, depending on the facts of a case, violations of the Fourth Amendment may lead to a dismissal of the charges. Third, if it is necessary to take the case to trial then it is vital that an accused individual knows what to expect from the process. Finally, sealing one’s record, after a conviction, can make it easier to pass a background check in the future.
An important point that I will make in each of these articles is that one should contact an attorney as soon as possible if they have been arrested. The sooner you contact counsel then the sooner they can begin to mount a defense on your behalf. This can include filing any necessary Motions, conducting an investigation, and more. As a former prosecutor who protects the rights of the accused, I am familiar with the handling of such matters. Contact my office online or by telephone to speak with a Peoria drug crime lawyer. We also serve clients in Bloomington, Decatur, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington and the counties of Fulton, Knox, LaSalle, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford. Additional areas where we handle federal cases include Benton, Chicago, East St. Louis, Springfield, and Urbana.