This is the first post in a series of articles which will discuss the handling of fraud charges against Peoria, Illinois defendants. I have written on the topic of fraud charges previously. I feel it is necessary to expand upon that discussion as there are several aspects of such cases which may come as a surprise to a defendant. I am, therefore, writing this series with the goal of providing information which will assist people with better understanding their current predicament. It is also my goal to provide information which assists with the selection of an attorney. If you are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with a criminal defense lawyer.
I will be addressing multiple topics over my coming articles. Issues which I will be analyzing include:
- Whether fraud is a felony or a misdemeanor in Illinois
- Whether one can go to jail for fraud
- Handling federal fraud charges
- Other charges which a defendant may face
There are multiple reasons why I have chosen to address these particular topics. First, it is common for people to wonder why they are facing misdemeanor or felony charges. As I will explain, the level of charges which one will face is going to depend on the amount involved in the fraud. Second, the answer as to whether one can be incarcerated for the offense is “yes.” Many convictions will, however, be probationable. Third, defendants need to understand the instances in which they may face federal charges as well as the differences one will face in Federal Court. Fourth, it is common for one to face additional counts beyond the fraud itself. Understanding why one may face additional counts can be crucial.
A key point I will be making in each of these articles is that it is important to contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible if you or a family member have been arrested. In addition to possible incarceration, a conviction can make it more difficult to gain employment. Moreover, a fraud conviction may completely disqualify many individuals from a professional license. Retaining counsel sooner, rather than later, helps to ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process.
I am a Peoria criminal defense lawyer and a former prosecutor. I am familiar with the handling of such cases and I believe that everyone is entitled to quality representation. If you are in need of assistance then contact my office online or by telephone today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to speaking with you. I also serve the cities of Bloomington, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington. I serve the counties of Fulton, Knox, LaSalle, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Putnam, Rock Island, Shuyler, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford. I also handle federal cases in Urbana.