Why It Is Important to Work With a Criminal Defense Attorney

A qualified Joliet criminal defense lawyer can help you navigate the court system and minimize the impact on your life. They will investigate your case thoroughly and build a strong defense suited to your situation.

They will also help you file an appeal if you are unsatisfied with your verdict or sentence. Their vast experience and knowledge of the law will ensure your rights are protected at all times.

Charges

Regardless of the severity of the crime you have been accused of, it is crucial to work with a qualified criminal defense attorney. Having a conviction on your record can seriously damage your reputation and make it difficult to get a job, obtain loans or mortgages, and more. Especially for serious crimes, such as DUI, domestic violence or murder, it is important to have the best legal representation available to protect your rights.

A criminal defense lawyer can negotiate with prosecutors to minimize the charges you face and possibly prevent a trial altogether. They can also represent you on appeal if necessary. Their experience inside and outside the courtroom is invaluable to their clients. For example, they may be able to utilize the defense of coercion or duress if you were forced to commit a crime by force or threat of violence. They can also use the statute of limitations defense. They can help you with any other criminal law issue you might be facing.

Arranging a Consultation

The criminal justice system is complex and navigating it alone can be overwhelming. A skilled criminal defense attorney can help you avoid mistakes that can have a negative impact on your life.

If convicted, crimes such as theft, assault, and murder could result in lengthy prison sentences and loss of civil rights. These serious crimes are classified as felonies, while misdemeanors can result in short term imprisonment and heavy monetary fines.

An experienced Joliet criminal defense lawyer can investigate your case thoroughly and build a strong defense tailored to the circumstances surrounding the crime. He can also negotiate with the prosecution to get you reduced charges or a lenient sentence. If a conviction is inevitable, the attorney can advise you on the best ways to proceed with your appeal. He is familiar with the Illinois criminal appeals process and has handled many cases involving serious charges. A former Will County Assistant Public Defender, he is in touch with the local Joliet system and knows the judges and prosecutors very well.

Plea Bargaining

Prosecutors spend a lot of time building a case against criminal defendants. It is important to have a Joliet defense lawyer that understands their tactics and how to poke holes in their arguments.

The majority of cases that are resolved in the US involve plea bargaining. The process is where a defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest to one of the offenses charged in exchange for more lenient sentencing, recommendations, or dismissal of other charges. Prosecutors and defense attorneys negotiate the terms of the plea bargain.

Defendants can enter into programs that prevent the conviction from showing up on their record and allow them to keep their job, license, or family. An experienced criminal attorney will help decide whether a plea bargain is right for their client or if other options are available that could benefit them more. These alternatives include taking the case to trial and asking for a not-guilty verdict, or entering into pre-trial diversion programs.

Trial

Criminal defense attorney Daniel Walsh is an experienced trial lawyer, having started his career in 2005 as a misdemeanor prosecutor with the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office before being promoted to the felony division. Since then, he has successfully tried cases that range from sex offenses and murder to white-collar crimes such as embezzlement and money laundering.

He has a well-earned reputation as one of the most talented criminal defense lawyers in Will County and his work and results have been featured in local media and news outlets, including the JOLIET PATCH. He has also worked all over Illinois, defending clients against a wide array of criminal charges.

If you’re facing criminal charges, it’s crucial to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Joliet right away. Your attorney can investigate the evidence for and against you and build a strong defense tailored to your unique situation. They can even help you avoid conviction by negotiating a plea bargain with prosecutors.