If you have been arrested, your first thought may be that you will automatically be found guilty of the charges, and there is nothing you can do to stop that process – even if you are innocent of what you are being accused of. The truth is that many of the cases brought before the criminal court system are dismissed before they ever get to trial or dismissed during the trial. The following are some of the most common reasons a case can be dismissed. To learn more or to arrange to have your case evaluated, contact an Illinois defense lawyer.
Insufficient Evidence
One of the common reasons criminal charges are dismissed is because there is a lack of sufficient evidence to support the charges. In criminal proceedings, the prosecution bears the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.” If the evidence presented by the prosecution is insufficient, contradictory, or weak and fails to meet this required standard, the court may dismiss the case. This dismissal ensures that individuals are not unfairly subjected to criminal charges without a solid basis for their prosecution.