Criminal Defense Attorney Bloomington IL
Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been charged with a crime, you may want to contact a top criminal defense lawyer Bloomington IL depends on. A criminal charge can be a misdemeanor or a felony, which is much more serious. In either scenario, contacting a skilled Bloomington criminal defense lawyer, may be in your best interest. At Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols, we strive to help the members of our community by providing quality legal counsel to protect their rights.
EXPERIENCED BLOOMINGTON CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER
If you have been arrested for a crime an attorney can help make sure that your rights are protected. Don B. Pioletti Jr. has over thirty-five years of criminal defense trial experience defending individuals charged with crimes. Together with Joe Pioletti the attorneys at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols defend people across the state of Illinois who have been charged with a crime including Woodford, Tazewell, Peoria, Livingston, Fulton, and McLean counties.
FAQ: Criminal Defense Representation
If you or a loved one has been arrested or are facing other challenges related to the criminal justice system, it’s time to connect with a criminal defense lawyer Bloomington, IL residents trust. Run-ins with the criminal justice system can be life-altering. It is critically important to be as proactive as possible when mounting a defense. Call Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols today to learn more about our firm’s approach to criminal defense representation. When you meet with us, we can provide you with more personalized guidance concerning the FAQs detailed below, as well as any other questions and concerns that you may have at this time.
Do I Need a Lawyer if I Have Only Been Charged with a Misdemeanor?
There is a common misconception that criminal charges don’t need to be taken seriously if they aren’t classified as felonies. This is a myth. While it is true that most misdemeanor charges may eventually be expunged from a criminal record and while it’s true that misdemeanor offenders are often eligible for diversion programs, misdemeanor convictions can still cost you time, money, stress, your job, your driver’s license, and may result in up to a year in jail. If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor offense, it’s time to speak with an attorney.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Case?
There is no straightforward answer to this question that applies to all criminal cases. Oftentimes, building a solid defense strategy and negotiating with prosecutors can take weeks or even a few months. If your case goes to trial, it may take a number of months to fully resolve. On the flip side, if clear and convincing evidence in your favor can be identified right away, we may be able to get the charges against you dropped in a matter of days. Regardless of the particulars of your situation, know that our Bloomington criminal defense lawyer team will do our utmost to resolve your case in your favor as soon as we possibly can.
Does It Matter that I Have Prior Convictions on My Record?
Prior convictions may “count against you” under certain circumstances and won’t matter under others. For example, if you’ve been charged with a DUI and you were convicted of shoplifting 10 years ago, your previous conviction should have no bearing on your current circumstances. By contrast, if you were convicted of a DUI two years ago and you’re convicted of another now, you may face higher penalties for this infraction due to your previous conviction. We can clarify your circumstances once we hear your story.
Are There Diversion Programs Available to Me?
Illinois offers several different diversion programs. Most commonly, individuals who have been charged with misdemeanors and juvenile offenders are generally eligible for such diversion opportunities as Section 10 probation, court supervision, and the Second Chance program. We will explain any diversion programming that may be available to you uniquely and the pros and cons of taking advantage of said opportunities.
If My Loved One Has Been Arrested, What Do I Do?
If your loved one has recently been arrested, please connect with the legal team at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols now. There is no time to waste when it comes to seeking experienced legal representation and building a solid criminal defense. If you are your loved one’s “only phone call,” remind them that they have a right to remain silent until a member of our Bloomington criminal defense lawyer team arrives.
BLOOMINGTON DUI LAWYER
Being arrested for DUI is a very serious situation. It actually involves two separate proceedings – a criminal proceeding with the State’s Attorney – and an administrative proceeding with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. Many things are at stake including loss of your driving privileges, expensive fines and possibly even jail time. Having an experienced DUI attorney on your side that can provide sound advice and guidance throughout the process can make a tremendous difference in the outcome.
The attorneys at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols have extensive experience handling DUI cases. We have a good working relationship with the other side and can help get your case resolved as favorably as possible.
BLOOMINGTON SPEEDING TICKET LAWYER
Do you have to appear in court for a traffic related offense? Are you facing a license suspension or revocation? If so the attorneys of Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols can represent you on your pending charges of traffic tickets, general speeding tickets, red light camera tickets and any other traffic related offenses. Many times we can appear on your behalf which means you won’t have to take off work or travel to make a court appearance.
WE PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL COUNSEL IN ALL CRIMINAL LAW AREAS INCLUDING:
- DUI Defense
- Cocaine Possession
- Drug Crimes
- Home Invasion
- Retail Theft
- Assault
- Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Felonies and Misdemeanors
- Marijuana Possession
- Expungements
TO CONSULT A CRIMINAL LAWYER AT PIOLETTI & PIOLETTI IN BLOOMINGTON AND EUREKA CONTACT US ONLINE OR CALL 309-467-3213.
Criminal Defenses We Can Help With
A criminal defense lawyer Bloomington IL residents trust can help you establish a strategic plan of defense to avert a guilty verdict, reduce the charge, or even have it dropped altogether. There are multiple criminal defense strategies that the defendant may use. An experienced criminal defense lawyer Bloomington IL has to offer can explain more about the following:
- Defense of Duress: In this scenario, the defendant committed a criminal act because a third member threatened physical harm or death to the defendant. For example, a person forced another individual to commit a break in by threatening them with physical harm if they did not comply.
- Defense of Self-Defense: Under these circumstances, the defendant had to use self-defense because he/she was being abused or threatened and feared for their life. A criminal defense lawyer Bloomington IL provides may explain that in this situation the defendant must provide proof that there was the imminent fear of death if they did not fight back.
- Defense of Necessity: This is when the accused claims that they committed the crime due to exceptional circumstances. In other words, they had no choice but to break the law. When this is the defense used, the court will evaluate the claim and decide if there was a better alternative available to the defendant.
- Defense of Infancy: A knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer Bloomington IL residents turn to might explain that this is when the accused party is not old enough to be held legally responsible for their actions. For instance, they may be a young child who shot someone else because they could not comprehend the dangers of a gun.
- Defense of Mistake/Accident: This may be used when the defendant did not realize their actions were illegal or the result was unintentional.
- Defense of Insanity: Under this situation, the defendant claims their mental health issues were the reasoning of their crime and cannot be held responsible for their actions. If this is the case, the defendant must undergo a psychological examination and the medical professional’s report must be submitted to the court.
There are various defenses that the accused may be able to use in a criminal case; the six defenses listed above are not inclusive. It’s important to work with a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer in Bloomington IL who can help you decide upon the strongest defense strategy for your case.
Don’t Move Forward Unprepared
If you’ve been charged with a crime, consider hiring an attorney who can properly advise you every step of the way. At Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols, our legal team is highly trained and experienced when it comes to criminal defense cases. If you’ve been charged with a crime, don’t hesitate to reach out to our firm for counsel. To speak with a trusted criminal defense lawyer Bloomington IL residents depend on, contact us today at (309) 467-3213.
