Bloomington Felonies and Misdemeanors Attorney
The attorneys of Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols will aggressively and diligently fight for your rights. Contact us at 309-467-3213. 
If you have been charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, you will likely be prosecuted in the Circuit Court. As soon as you have been charged, or even are facing charges, it may be in your best interest to retain a Bloomington felonies and misdemeanors attorney.
Your case will begin with your arrest and may conclude with either a conviction or a dismissal of the charges. Without a good Bloomington felonies and misdemeanors attorney on your side, you may face an immense amount of confusion and stress. To add to this, your freedom will be in jeopardy. If you’re charged with a felony, you could face jail or prison time. Misdemeanors carry sentences that may include up to one year in jail. If you are sentenced to incarceration, you may lose your job and your ability to take care of your family. Apart from this, you may face additional consequences include:
- Fines and fees
- Probation
- Community service
- Mandatory drug or alcohol testing
- Mandatory rehabilitation
- Restitution
- Permanent criminal record
In addition to these penalties, you may experience:
- Difficulties in getting certain work
- Inability to get student loans or public benefits
- Inability to live in certain communities
- Difficulty travelling out of the state or to another country
If you have sole or shared custody of a minor child, a conviction could affect your custody or parental rights.
If you have been charged with any crime in Bloomington, you should not delay in consulting Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols for assistance. For years, our Bloomington felonies and misdemeanors attorneys have represented thousands of people who have faced a multitude of different charges. Some of these were minor, others severe, but regardless of the potential penalties, we treat them equally in knowing that it is your freedom on the line.
Felonies And Misdemeanors
Have you been accused of one of the following crimes?
- Drug Crimes (drug possession, drug sales, drug trafficking, meth, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, marijuana)
- Homicide or Murder
- Attempted Murder
- Aggravated Vehicular Homicide
- Internet or Cyber Crimes
- Robbery or Burglary
- Domestic Violence
- White Collar Crimes
- Traffic Violations (driving with a suspended license, speeding, etc.)
- DUI
If so the choices you make today will greatly impact your life tomorrow. You need to make certain that the attorney who represents you has the experience and drive necessary to protect your rights.
The Process of a Criminal Case
Your case may begin with an investigation. For example, a complaint may be filed with the police, or the police will suspect you of engaging in criminal activity and begin their own investigation. You may be apprehended at the scene or a detective will ask a judge to issue a warrant for your arrest. The warrant is only issued if there is enough probable cause.
After the arrest, you may be taken to the police station for processing It is also possible that you are issued a citation and must appear in court for an arraignment. You may also be photographed, fingerprinted, and interviewed.
At your arraignment, you will read the charges against you. Whether or not you are held in jail will be up to the prosecutor. If you are a flight risk, are already on parole or probation, or is a danger to society, you may be held. Although some people believe you cannot, or don’t need, a Bloomington felonies and misdemeanors attorney at your arraignment, he or she should be there. By making this decision, your attorney can be your voice on your behalf.
Following your arraignment, you will need to wait for your preliminary hearing. There could be several hearings, and you must appear at each of them. Your Bloomington felonies and misdemeanor attorney will also be present. At any of these hearings, it is possible to make a plea or for the prosecutor to offer a diversion. Known as deferred prosecution, this is a special program that may ask you to complete, for example, community service and a drug treatment program, in return for a dismissal of your charges. On the other hand, if you plead guilty, the prosecutor might drop one of your charges or dismiss some of the counts.
Hearings and Status Dates
In the event that you reject a diversion program or plea offer, your case will go to trial. A good Bloomington felonies and misdemeanors attorney will investigate, interview, and subpoena witnesses to develop a sound strategy. A motion to suppress evidence might also be filed. The trial date will be set and include opening statements, witness examinations, and so forth. It will be up to a jury to make a decision on your case. If you are found not guilty, you will be acquitted. If you are found guilty, the judge will sentence you.
Let Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols Help You
Don’t let your freedom be jeopardized, call a Bloomington felonies and misdemeanors attorney. We have experience representing people who have been charged with felonies. If you are being investigated for a crime you should contact an attorney immediately otherwise you may be giving up important rights.
