This is the last post in a series of articles discussing the seriousness of misdemeanor charges in Peoria, Illinois. I felt it was important to write about this topic because many residents fail to understand that misdemeanors, while less serious than felony criminal charges, can have serious long-term consequences. It is possible, in many cases, to defend oneself against such charges and either reduce the penalties or have the charges dismissed entirely. I cannot overstate the importance of contacting a criminal defense attorney to assist you through the process. If you are facing misdemeanor charges, contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.
This series addressed the following topics:
- Misdemeanor convictions can result in permanent criminal records
- A misdemeanor conviction may lead to harsher penalties for future charges
- Ignoring a summons for a misdemeanor can lead to the issuance of an arrest warrant
It is important to understand how misdemeanor convictions may impact one’s life. First, criminal charges, arrests, and convictions become a part of a person’s permanent criminal record. This means that the information is publicly available and will appear during routine background checks. Access to employment, housing, credit, and more may be restricted as a result of a misdemeanor offense. Second, even lower level misdemeanor convictions can have a compounding effect for individuals who commit subsequent crimes. Repeat offenders may face harsher penalties or felony charges. Third, failing to respond to a summons or appear in court as ordered by law enforcement is a mistake. The Court will likely issue a warrant for one’s arrest until the matter is resolved. For all of the reasons stated above, it is important to take misdemeanor charges seriously and contact a criminal attorney to assist you in your defense.
If you are facing misdemeanor charges, contact my office today to speak to a Peoria attorney. 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. Areas where we handle federal cases include Peoria, Springfield, Champaign, and Rock Island.