Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers in Waukegan, IL
Many crimes, such as theft, have degrees of seriousness with the more serious being felonies and the less serious being misdemeanors. Misdemeanors are generally punished less severely than felonies but are considered more serious than administrative infractions or regulatory offenses. Examples of misdemeanors may include petty theft, prostitution, public intoxication, simple assault, disorderly conduct, trespass, vandalism, and other similar violations of the law.
Misdemeanors are divided into various classes of seriousness with some charges punishable by jail time and others carrying only a fine. Misdemeanors are crimes that carry a penalty of a year or less of incarceration, often in a local jail rather than as a felon in a prison. Many convicted of misdemeanors are often punished with probation, community service, or part-time imprisonment served on weekends. Less serious infractions often result in a fine. Misdemeanors could result in loss of privileges such as professional licenses, public offices, or public employment. Such collateral consequences are common when the misdemeanor is related to a specific privilege such as the loss of a driver’s license after a conviction for reckless driving. Some types of misdemeanors involve moral turpitude, and these issues are generally evaluated on a case-to-case basis.
Some people may feel that they do not need an attorney for a petty offense. However, it is in their best interest to contact us right away. The charge may seem small, but it could have procedural and legal complications that could result in a bad record as well as fines and jail time. Even a simple bad driving charge could result in personal restrictions such as having your driver’s license suspended which could be catastrophic for someone who depends on driving to get to their job. To make sure that you know exactly where you stand, contact our office immediately. Our lawyers at DLP will protect you from getting into legal problems that are not obvious on the surface.
Common Misdemeanor Crimes:
- Assault
- Battery
- Child Endangerment
- Domestic Violence
- Marijuana Possession
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Property Damage
- Prostitution or Solicitation
- Public Indecency or Obscenity
- Public Intoxication
- Reckless or Disorderly Conduct
- Theft Crimes
- Traffic Violations
- Retail Theft
- Shoplifting