Chicago, IL – A felony criminal case can be daunting. Even when false, an accusation can lead to assumptions and changes in how the accused is treated until exonerated. However, the United States legal system is clear: innocent until proven guilty.
The Law Office of Purav Bhatt is one of Chicago’s top criminal defense firms. “Good people get into bad situations. As a defense attorney, I take pride in protecting those good people,” states Bhatt. “Federal crimes can be significantly more complex than state charges, and the stakes, in terms of prison sentences and fines, can be higher. That’s why ensuring you have an experienced federal lawyer on your side is vital to help you navigate the labyrinth.”
Criminal Law
Criminal law is divided into three offenses: petty, misdemeanor, and felony. Felony is further separated from the least severe – Class 4 to the most severe – Class X. Categories can include:
- Burglary
- Criminal Sexual Assault
- Domestic Violence
- Drug Charges
- DUI Offenses
- Expungement
- Federal Crimes
- Felony Crimes
- Financial Crimes
- Marijuana DUI
- Robbery
- Theft Crimes
- Weapon/Gun Crimes
“Over the years, our firm has handled a wide array of criminal cases ranging from white-collar crimes to DUI, domestic violence, drug possession, gun crimes, violent crimes, and sexual crimes,” notes Bhatt. “Our legal team brings academic excellence, rigorous legal training, and unmatched expertise. We are prepared to go the extra mile to protect our client’s rights and freedom.”
Stages of a Felony Case
A felony case can be divided into nine steps, though each case is unique and may not see all the steps take place.
- Charges Initiated
The prosecuting attorney and law enforcement must file a criminal complaint before a magistrate. They must have sufficient facts for probable cause so the magistrate will issue a warrant. The defendant is brought directly to the magistrate if an arrest is made before the complaint and summons.
- First/Bond Hearing
The defendant is brought before the magistrate. Here, they are told their rights and the charges. Then they can make arrangements for representation—including a state-elected attorney. Finally, the magistrate decides on bail.
- Preliminary Hearing
The prosecuting attorney must present sufficient evidence that the accused is a valid suspect. They do not have to prove a guilty verdict; they simply argue to proceed with charges.
- Grand Jury Hearing
Twenty-three judicial district members are called to review the evidence and listen to testimonies. Everyone called to the stand is placed under oath, but this is not a trial. The grand jury reviews all statements and current evidence to determine if the case should proceed to a trial.
- Arraignment
The defendant appears before the magistrate. They are formally informed of all charges, and bail is reviewed here.
- Motion Hearing
This is the defense team’s chance to resolve any legal questions and motion for irrelevant evidence to be suppressed.
- Witness Conference
The prosecutor may meet with witnesses to review their evidence and statement for clarity.
- Trial
Trials are the recognizable stage of a felony case. The prosecuting team and the defense appear before a judge or a jury, presenting all evidence. Witnesses are questioned, and statements are given. A verdict is decided at the end.
- Sentencing
If found guilty, the defendant will be brought back later. The judge will review all case facts and determine an appropriate sentence. A solid defense can reduce a sentence even with a guilty verdict.
About The Law Office of Purav Bhatt
The Law Office of Purav Bhatt is a premier criminal defense law firm in Chicago, IL. They also serve clients throughout Illinois, including Cook County, Dupage county, Illinois, Northern District of Illinois, Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Bridgeview, and Markham. With over a decade of experience, Bhatt has represented numerous clients and has achieved favorable results in complex cases.
Bhatt was originally a prosecutor, and he brings that experience to the table when preparing a solid and creative defense. As a prosecuting attorney, Bhatt handled various cases, from aggravated criminal sexual assault to drug crimes. This experience allows him to understand how law enforcement officials like police officers, detectives, prosecutors, and judges work in Cook County. He now applies his prosecutorial knowledge and legal expertise to defend individuals facing criminal charges. Purav Bhatt is licensed to practice in state and federal courts. He is known for his principled and uncompromising approach toward providing legal counsel and presenting an aggressive criminal defense.
The Law Office of Purav Bhatt has received several awards. It has a 10/10 rating with AVVO, has won Superlawyer from 2015 to the present, is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and has been featured in the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Attorneys in Illinois. Bhatt also works as Faculty in Trial Advocacy at John Marshall Law School. Bhatt’s firm has over 280 5-star reviews on Google and features recently won cases on their website.
Contact Information
Parties searching for a lawyer or seeking more information may contact Purav Bhatt via phone at 773-791-9682, email at pbhatt@bhattlaw.com, or through the firm’s online form.
Media Contact
Company Name: The Law Office of Purav Bhatt, P.C
Contact Person: Purav Bhatt
Email: Send Email
Phone: 773-791-9682
Address:1655 S Blue Island Ave #312
City: Chicago
State: IL
Country: United States
Website: https://bhattchicagodefenselaw.com/