Urbana Criminal Defense Lawyer
Being charged with a crime is a very scary experience. Whether you were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, or you made a mistake, you need a strong criminal defense. Only an Urbana criminal defense lawyer can present the arguments and evidence that will give you the best chance of beating your charges and retaining your freedom.
- Assault & Battery
- Bank & Wire Fraud
- Drug Conspiracy
- Drug Crimes
- DUI
- Federal Crimes
- Healthcare Fraud
- Internet Crimes
- Mortgage Fraud
- Multiple & Felony DUI
- RICO & Enterprise Corruption
- Securities Fraud
- Sex Crimes
- Tax Fraud
- Theft Crimes
- Violent Crimes
- Weapons Crimes
- White Collar Crimes
Felonies vs. Misdemeanors
The vast majority of crimes in Urbana are classified as either misdemeanors or felonies. Felonies are the most serious type of crime a person could commit. Common examples include murder, armed robbery, drug manufacturing, and aggravated arson. All of these crimes have very serious consequences for those convicted, including long jail sentences and high fines. Misdemeanors are not as serious and include crimes such as domestic battery, criminal trespass, assault, and battery. Even though the penalties for a misdemeanor are less severe, it is still important to work with a lawyer who can help you avoid them altogether.
Assault and Battery
Often referred to as the same crime, assault and battery are actually two separate criminal offenses. Assault refers to a verbal threat of harm, while battery involves the physical act of touching someone with the intent to cause harm. Both crimes can be charged as a misdemeanor, which is known as simple assault and battery. When certain factors are present in a case, such as the use of a weapon, the charges will be upgraded to aggravated assault and battery, which are felony charges.
Burglary
Contrary to what many people think, burglary is not a theft crime in Illinois. Burglary occurs when a person enters a building, watercraft, house trailer, aircraft, railroad car, motor vehicle, or freight container with the intent to commit theft or another felony while inside. So, for example, if a person broke into a home to rape or murder someone inside, that is a case of burglary even though no theft took place.
Driving Under the Influence
Of all the criminal charges a person could face, charges of driving under the influence are some of the most common. Like the vast majority of states, it is illegal in Urbana and throughout the rest of Illinois to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. A first-time DUI charge is a misdemeanor in most cases, but there are times when felony DUI charges may apply, such as when the accused did not have a driver’s license or auto liability insurance.
Sex Crimes
Some of the most common charges for sex crimes in Urbana include criminal sexual assault, sexual battery, rape, prostitution, and child pornography. Sex crimes are some of the most serious a person could be accused of, and a conviction will carry very harsh penalties.
Our Criminal Defense Lawyer in Urbana Can Help with Your Charges
The above are just a few of the most common types of criminal charges a person could face in Illinois. At Patel Law, PC, our Urbana criminal defense lawyer can defend you against all of them, and more. If you have been charged with a crime, call us now at 217.384.1111 to schedule a free case evaluation.
