Plainfield Criminal Defense Lawyer

DuPage County Attorneys for Misdemeanors & Felonies

Few people are ever truly ready to face a criminal prosecution. It is one of the most stressful life events a person can experience. Even if you have known that getting arrested was a risk for some time, there is little you can do to adequately prepare for being charged with a crime. A major part of the reason criminal prosecution is so stressful is that there is great uncertainty about first, what type of sentence you could face, and second, how a conviction could impact the rest of your life. You may worry about what life as a felon would look like, or whether you will be able to keep your driving privileges. It is normal to be concerned about these things. Most likely, the best step you can take to fight back at this point is to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Appelman Law LLC is a firm of practiced criminal defense attorneys. Our lawyers have a proven track record of success when it comes to representing criminal defendants. We take the time to learn your personal priorities - one person may be mainly concerned with keeping a professional license, while another merely wants to avoid spending time in jail - so that we can tailor our representation to suit your unique needs. We are experienced in employing a number of powerful defense strategies to protect our clients from being negatively impacted by their cases to the extent possible.

Attorneys for Assaultive & Armed Offenses

Violent offenses are among those taken most seriously because they directly threaten harm to others. Simple assault is likely the least serious of the assaultive offenses and is often charged after minor violence between unrelated parties. Domestic violence is instead charged when there is a domestic relationship between the victim and offender.

Aggravated assault is more serious, as it is always a felony. It is usually charged when an assault caused serious harm or involved a deadly weapon. Weapons charges are also serious in Illinois, even if no violence resulted from the crime. It is important to take offenses of a violent nature very seriously, as they can be treated quite harshly.

Plainfield DUI & Traffic Crime Lawyers

Not all traffic crimes are just tickets you can pay and move on from. Reckless driving and driving on a suspended or revoked license are both traffic offenses that can carry jail time. A DUI is usually slightly more serious than either, and may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances. Fortunately, there are a large number of potential defense strategies you may have available, such as preventing a DUI by questioning the field sobriety test.

Theft and Shoplifting Attorneys

Theft and retail theft may be charged as misdemeanors or as felonies depending on the value of the property taken. Generally, the cutoff for retail theft is $300 and the cutoff for other types of theft is $500. Although courts understand that these offenses are sometimes committed out of need, they must also consider any impact on the victim.

DuPage County Drug Crime Lawyers

Some drug crimes, like possessing more than the permitted amount of cannabis, are relatively nonserious. Offenses that indicate that the defendant is a part of the drug supply chain, like manufacturing or trafficking, may be treated more harshly. While some who are struggling with addiction may be offered treatment, long prison sentences are also likely for serious offenders.

Juvenile Crime Help

Juvenile charges can stand in the way as a young person begins their journey into adulthood. Issues like underage drinking or shoplifting can close doors or prevent a teen from being accepted to college. While more minor cases generally stay in juvenile court, cases involving more serious crimes could be moved to an adult venue. It is important for juveniles to be represented.

Contact a Plainfield Criminal Defense Lawyer

At Appelman Law LLC, our experienced team is committed to providing the best criminal defense services possible in every single case, big or small. To schedule a free consultation with Attorney Brett Appelman, contact us today at 630-717-7801.