As soon as you are arrested for a criminal offense in Illinois, an arraignment will be scheduled for you to appear in court before a judge and prosecutor.
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At an arraignment, you will be read the charges filed against you and the maximum penalties you face. In addition, this brief hearing will determine if you have retained a lawyer and, if so, who it is.
The most important aspect of an arraignment is whether you wish to plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Keep in mind, you do not have to plead guilty, even if you committed the alleged crime. When you plead not guilty, your attorney and the prosecutor can negotiate the terms of your charges.
In many cases, criminal charges can be reduced and negotiated out of court. However, if you choose to plead guilty, the judge may enter a sentence during an arraignment. If you miss your arraignment, you will be issued a warrant for your arrest.
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If you have been arrested for a crime in Illinois, the Law Office of Steven Fine is here to help you obtain the most favorable outcome possible in your case. With more than two decades of experience, our Chicago criminal defense attorney can investigate your arrest, examine all of the available evidence, and build an effective and personalized defense strategy on your behalf. Do not hesitate to get the knowledgeable and experienced legal help necessary to get your life back on the right track.
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