Fight Your Charge with a Skilled Skokie Criminal Trespass Lawyer
Maybe you and some friends snuck into a teammate’s house to prank him before graduation at Niles North, and his parents decided to take the matter seriously. Or someone tried to start something with you at a bar, and when you were both asked to leave, you refused because you didn’t do anything.
These situations may sound like matters that could easily be solved by regular people simply sitting down and talking. Still, both of them are technically examples of criminal trespassing in Illinois. It does not stop there, either. Our state has multiple 720 statutes governing criminal trespass – these are just two examples.
Because of this, being charged with criminal trespass can come as quite a shock to many people. They simply did not know that they were doing something illegal until the police came and arrested them, and now they find themselves unsure how to handle the situation.
One thing that you absolutely cannot do is ignore the charge. Most forms of criminal trespassing are misdemeanors, but not all of them. And even “minor” criminal trespassing charges may come with high fines, a requirement to complete community service, and other administrative penalties. Beyond this, the fact that you are being charged with a crime means you now have a criminal record.
Why is this a big deal? Because it can negatively impact all kinds of things in your life. Employers will be less likely to hire you. Landlords will not want you living there. College admission boards will dismiss your application faster. You are less likely to qualify for a loan. And that’s just the beginning.
The best thing that you can do to protect your reputation and your future is to fight back with a knowledgeable Skokie criminal attorney who has successfully handled these kinds of cases before. Andrew Weisberg is that attorney.
As a former criminal prosecutor turned defense lawyer, Mr. Weisberg understands both sides of the law. This gives him a unique advantage in cases, allowing him to craft defense strategies that anticipate what prosecutors will do and question their tactics and arguments. If you want the best chance at a positive outcome, Andrew M. Weisberg should be your first choice.
A Skokie Defense Attorney Who Understands the Nuances of Illinois Criminal Trespassing
We mentioned above that Illinois has several different statutes that govern criminal trespassing. Which statute you are charged under depends on the nature of the act, where it occurred, and whether or not you allegedly committed another criminal act while trespassing. In certain cases, such as if you trespassed on a nuclear facility, you would be charged with a felony offense. It also matters who was there when the alleged trespassing took place.
As you can see, all of these variables can make criminal trespassing charges incredibly complicated. A good lawyer may determine that you were charged with the wrong type of criminal trespass. Or that the nature of your actions does not constitute trespassing in your particular situation. But doing this means looking at the specifics of your case, analyzing the available evidence, and determining how it relates to the applicable law.
That is something that only a thorough and experienced Skokie criminal trespassing lawyer can do. Andrew M. Weisberg has been successfully handling cases like these for almost 20 years:
Criminal trespass to a residence 720 ILCS 5/19-4
Criminal trespass to vehicles 720 ILCS 5/21-2
Criminal trespass to real property 720 ILCS 5/21-3
Criminal trespass to state-supported land 720 ILCS 5/21-5
Criminal trespass to a safe school zone 720 ILCS 5/21-5.5
Criminal trespass to a place of public amusement 720 ILCS 5/21-9
When you want someone who knows all of your trespassing charge’s legal ins and outs, reach out to Andrew Weisberg. With his unparalleled knowledge, strong sense of justice, and belief that everyone has the right to the best possible defense, Mr. Weisberg will explore every option available to help reduce your charges, dropped, or dismissed.
Choose a Skokie Criminal Attorney Well-versed in Criminal Trespassing Defenses
Essentially, criminal trespassing means that you entered the land of someone or used their property (such as a car) without their permission. As a Skokie criminal lawyer who has been defending these types of cases for years, Andrew Weisberg knows that several common defenses can often be used.
Consent. This one is pretty straightforward. You are not trespassing if someone gives you permission to use or enter their property. How is consent obtained? In written form is recommended, but verbally or through action, though not as easy to prove, are legally acceptable – or even inaction if you can show that a reasonable person would have objected if they so wished. The only exceptions are that you cannot get consent from minors, people who are intoxicated or incompetent, or through fraud.
Necessity – public and private. Let’s say you broke into a locked store because there was a tornado, and people were trapped outside. If you can prove that they were facing immediate danger, your trespassing is considered a public necessity, and you will not be convicted. Alternatively, perhaps you damaged someone’s fence while swerving out of the way of another car. This is considered a private necessity. Unfortunately, it is not as helpful as a public necessity because you can still be held civilly liable for any damage you cause. Still, you should not be convicted of criminal charges.
Reclaiming your own property. If someone you know steals your car, you can legally trespass on their property to take it back. Likewise, if an “act of God,” such as a storm, blows your property onto someone else’s land, you are allowed to enter to retrieve it.
Even if these particular defenses do not seem to apply to your situation, it is not a reason to despair. There are many ways to craft a defense for your unique case, and skilled Skokie defense lawyer Andrew M. Weisberg knows how to do just that.
Start Defending Your Future Today with a Talented Skokie Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been arrested for criminal trespass in Skokie, one of the first things you do should be to seek out an experienced criminal attorney. Even if the case seems simple or straightforward, there are always complexities and legal requirements that you will not know.
You need a knowledgeable defense lawyer to give yourself the best chance at a positive outcome. You need Andrew Weisberg and the tough, aggressive style of defense he brings to all of his criminal cases. Get Mr. Weisberg on your side by reaching out today for a free initial consultation.
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