Q: How far back can they go on prior felony convictions to sentence you as a recidivist
A: All prior felonies may be used for the purpose of recidivist punishment as long as they can be proven. Successfully completed First Offender or conditional discharge sentences may not be used because those are not convictions. If you are facing a case where you may be subjected to recidivist punishment, you should be working with a lawyer to ensure you get the best outcome.
A:
All the way. Pretty much forever.
When considering how to treat cases the State can even use issues that have been hidden on your public criminal record.
It is VERY important if you are dealing with a recidivist issue to have your lawyer thoroughly sift through the evidence the State is relying on in your recidivist notice.
You need a lawyer, big time.
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