A 2020 study published state-by-state results regarding the number of charges that resulted in a conviction. In the state of Illinois, there were 8,286 charges, 25.34 percent of which were felony charges. The IL conviction rate for felony and misdemeanor criminal charges combined was less than half of the number charged (40.08 percent).
You may understandably be anxious and stressed about the outcome if you have been charged with a criminal offense in Illinois. It is important to remember that being charged with a crime does not necessarily mean the prosecutor has an airtight case against you. Criminal charges can benefit significantly from a skilled Aurora, IL criminal defense attorney from Law Office of Patricia Magaña, LLC.
Signs a Criminal Case Could Be Shaky
An experienced criminal defense lawyer can quickly identify a weak criminal case – and will know how to challenge those weaknesses with the prosecutor. The prosecutor must share all information about the case during the pre-trial discovery phase. A weak case can result in the criminal charges being dismissed, reduced, or settled on more favorable terms. Some of the most common issues that indicate a weak case on the part of the prosecutor include: