If you’re accused of domestic battery in Chicago, you may be arrested and taken to court, where a judge will read your charges and ask you whether you want to plead innocent or guilty.
But how does that all work, and what should you really be doing?
Domestic Battery Charges in Chicago: How Does It All Work?
When someone calls the police and accuses you of becoming violent with them – as long as they fall into one of the specific groups required for domestic battery to occur – the police may arrest you and take you to jail.
You can only be accused of domestic battery, rather than another type of battery, if you and the alleged victim fit into a certain type of relationship.
Once you’re in jail, you’ll be required to show up in court. In some cases, you may be able to pay money and get yourself out of jail – but that doesn’t always happen. If you can’t bail yourself out of jail, you’ll have to wait there until there’s room on the court calendar for your arraignment.
If you haven’t already contacted a Chicago domestic battery lawyer by this time, you probably want to do so. Your lawyer can give you advice based on your specific circumstances, and he can tell you what’s likely to happen when you go to court.
He’ll also go with you to your arraignment.
Your arraignment is when you appear before the judge. The judge will tell you what the state is charging you with – either domestic battery or aggravated domestic battery – and you’ll have the chance to tell the court whether you intend to plead not guilty or guilty. Your lawyer can speak for you at your arraignment.
Your lawyer will be there with you every step of the way. He’ll defend you in court, look for problems with what the prosecution is trying to say about you and in some cases, even negotiate with the prosecutor to get you the best possible outcome.
Do You Need to Talk to a Lawyer About Domestic Battery Charges in Chicago?
If you need to talk to an attorney about domestic battery charges in Chicago, we’re here for you.
Call us at 847-920-4540 right now. We’ll answer your questions and talk to you about the possible outcomes of your case – and if we can help you, we’ll start building the defense strategy that gets you the best possible outcome right away.
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