Being under the influence can sometimes serve as a defense

In Illinois, officers do their utmost to keep the peace and ensure the people and the state are protected. However, this can sometimes mean that innocent people are investigated or even arrested for crimes they did not commit, while authorities work to get to the bottom of a case. At other times, you may be arrested for an offense that you did carry out, but that was not strictly your fault for one reason or another.

The issue here is that you need to court to understand why the offense occurred and why you should not be held responsible for it. Were you tricked or compelled? Was it accidental? Perhaps it was a violent crime, but you were acting in self-defense. Whatever the reason, presenting it to the court in the correct way can make a big difference to your defense and your chance at avoiding conviction.

As this article on criminal defense explains, it can even help your case in certain circumstances if you can show that you were being affected by drugs. This is known as the under the influence defense. It is only accepted in some states, but may be worth considering. However, it is unlikely to clear you of the charges against you. Even so, it could result in a lighter sentence or a reduction in the charges.

Choosing your line of defense can be difficult, so you might benefit from the advice of an attorney. He or she can explain your options and may be able to suggest the best course of action to take based on your circumstances.