Felonies and Misdemeanors Attorney

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When it comes to crimes in Illinois, they can be broken down and placed in one of two major groups. These groups are felonies and misdemeanors. A crime that is punishable by less than one year of incarceration is a misdemeanor and other crimes with longer sentences are considered to be felonies. If you or a loved one are facing charges relating to a misdemeanor or a felony, you need the advice and guidance of an experienced Chicago misdemeanors and felony attorney to help ensure that you receive the best legal representation possible. These charges are nothing to brush off.

 

The Law Firm of Dan Florey is proud to offer his clients over 20 years of experience as an attorney. He holds your rights and future in the highest of regards and is willing to fight to make sure that your case is properly presented, considered, and tried. If that means going to court to secure a more favorable outcome, then that’s exactly what he will do! If you are in need of a criminal defense attorney contact Daniel J. Florey for more information, and keep reading for a more in-depth explanation regarding misdemeanors, felonies, and what they can mean for your future.

 

What is a misdemeanor?

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As briefly explained above, a misdemeanor crime is one that is potentially punishable by less than one year of incarceration. These are offenses that are considered more serious than simple petty offenses, but are less serious than felonies. Note that this does not mean that every misdemeanor crime will result in jail time. Individuals found guilty of misdemeanor charges might also be ordered to pay a monetary fine either in lieu of jail time or in addition to jail time.

 

Some examples of potential misdemeanors include:

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• Simple Assault

• Prostitution

• Petty Theft

• Public Intoxication

• Disorderly Conduct

• Vandalism

• Trespass

• Reckless Driving

 

The above list is not exhaustive, and every case is different. The specific circumstances regarding your case play a big role in the classification of the crime. Stealing something worth relatively little, for example, might be considered petty theft and therefore a misdemeanor. On the other hand, stealing something worth far more might be considered grand theft, which is a felony. The list above, then, is only meant to give you a general idea about the kinds of criminal offenses that are considered misdemeanors.

 

One important thing to note about misdemeanors is that they are not usually tried before a grand jury. Instead, they tend to be carried using written information or complaints. There are exceptions, of course, and it might be possible to request a jury trial if you feel it is advantageous to your case.

 

What is a felonies?

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Felonies are the most serious kind of criminal offense. Whereas misdemeanors usually hand out sentences of fines or up to a year of incarceration in a local jail, felonies carry steeper consequences. If found guilty of a felony, individuals could spend more than a year serving time in state prison. They could also be ordered to pay a fine in place of or in addition to prison time. If you are facing felony charges, you need to reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney for help.

 

Some crimes that are potential felonies include:

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• Aggravated Assault

• Arson

• Burglary

• Aggravated Battery

• Grand Theft

• Illegal Drug Sales and/or Possession

• Armed Robbery

• Rape

• Murder

 

As you can see, these crimes are more severe in nature than the examples of misdemeanor crimes given in the previous section and are categorized as non-violent or violent offenses. Someone who is convicted of a felony crime is likely to face restrictions upon their rights. They might be permanently disqualified from certain professional fields, for example, such as education or law. They could also lose their right to vote, be disqualified from serving in the armed forces, and perhaps even register on a registry of some kind. Felony sex offenses and the sale or possession of narcotics, for example, could result in the offender being required to register on the narcotics offender registry or the sex offender registry.

 

Contact an experienced attorney for help today!

If you are facing charges, whether they are for misdemeanor or felony crimes, you need a skilled attorney to help represent you. The Law Firm of Dan Florey can help! Contact him today for a free consultation.