If you’re like many people facing domestic battery charges or aggravated domestic battery charges in Chicago or the surrounding communities, you’re wondering if you should just go in and plead guilty to save yourself the hassle of a trial.
Should You Plead Guilty to Domestic Battery Charges?
Short answer: NO! Don’t just go in and plead guilty.
Instead, talk to a domestic battery defense attorney immediately. Get the legal advice you need right now.
Why You Shouldn’t Just Plead Guilty
When you walk into the courtroom and plead guilty, you’re telling the judge, “Yes, I did this – go ahead and sentence me however you see fit.”
You’ll have a criminal record you can never leave behind.
If you plead guilty without even trying to defend yourself or explain what really happened to the judge, you’re automatically facing a Class A misdemeanor, which carries penalties of:
- Up to a year in jail
- Fines of up to $2,500
If you have a previous domestic battery conviction, or if you’ve met a condition outlined in the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, you could be looking at a Class 4 felony. Class 4 felony convictions can result in:
- Up to 3 years in prison
- Fines of up to $25,000
While there’s no way to guarantee how a case will turn out, working with a lawyer can benefit you tremendously.
If you plead not guilty, the prosecutor in your case has to prove that you committed the crime of domestic battery; you don’t have to prove that you’re innocent.
What Your Lawyer Will Advise
Your attorney will get the whole story from you and ask you whether there are any witnesses who can verify what you’re saying. He’ll also be able to build a defense that gets you the best possible outcome, whether you made a mistake, you were drinking, or you’re completely innocent.
Do You Need to Talk to a Chicago Domestic Battery Lawyer?
Don’t plead guilty without first consulting an attorney. Call us for a free case review right now – we’re available at 847-920-4540. You can also contact us online for a free case review. We’ll help you get the best possible outcome, and the sooner you call us, the sooner we can start building your defense.
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