When it comes to crime, most people are unaware of the fact that there are more than 30 different crimes which Chicagoland police departments have identified. However, each of these crimes falls within a main category which makes it easier to identify and perhaps fight, but not always as easy to defend against if you’ve been charged with any of them. Do you know the top 3 types of crime in Chicagoland? If not, it’s time you look at them in case you are ever in need of a Chicago criminal defense lawyer.

1. Property Crimes

Of the 3 main types of crimes in Chicagoland, this is perhaps the easiest to understand. These would include crimes like burglary, theft, arson, and vandalism. In other words, any time property is involved, it would fall within this category. It could be that the perpetrator is intent on illegally obtaining that property such as in larceny or theft of a motor vehicle. The accused must be seen to benefit in some way and so shoplifting is also considered a property crime. Property crimes may, or may not, involve the use of force and those more serious allegations would involve such offenses as extortion or robbery.

2. Quality of Life Crimes

This is one of the most difficult types of crime to understand because of the definition of “Quality of Life.” How do such things as disorderly conduct, loitering or vagrancy fit in the scope of quality of life? Actually, it makes good sense if you look at it from the perspective of society. These crimes interfere with the community’s right to live a peaceful and enjoyable quality of life free from such things as urinating in public, unlawful assemblies and other related offenses.

3. Violent Crimes

If you are accused of committing a violent crime, you will definitely need the services of a criminal defense attorney. Depending on the degree of harm intended, you could be facing at least a year in prison and sometimes a life sentence. Since Governor Pat Quinn signed the bill into law in 2011, the death sentence is no longer a punishment in Illinois and the 15 inmates on death row at that time had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.

Even so, with or without the death penalty, most often violent crimes carry severe penalties, and these should be carefully defended. A top-notch criminal defense attorney can protect your rights, seeing to it that you get a fair trial before a jury of your peers. Violent crimes are felonies which will never leave your record, if you are found guilty, whether or not you serve jail time, you will always carry this albatross with you no matter where you go or what you do in later years.

Remember….

In the United States, you are innocent until proven guilty and everyone has the Constitutional right to be defended by an attorney. Everyone has the right to that above-mentioned trial before a jury of his or her peers. Whether you are accused of a lessor crime, a misdemeanor, or a felony, always contact an attorney to see that your rights are not violated.