Class 4 Felonies

Important changes to Illinois retail theft laws in the year 2012

April 24, 2012

Illinois state law concerning retail theft has seen some significant changes in the year 2012. State lawmakers in Springfield have overhauled the retail theft statute. First, the offense is no longer found under 720 ILCS 5/16A-1. That section was repealed, and replaced by Section 16-25. All charges for retail theft written in 2012 fall under [...]

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Important new bill in legislature would expunge felonies

March 26, 2012

In the current legislative session, Illinois lawmakers are considering a very important new statute to be added to the criminal code. Senate Bill 3349, proposed by Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago), would create a special type of probation for felonies that can be expunged.
If signed by the governor, a defendant with a pending felony would have [...]

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An explanation of Illinois sex crimes

March 5, 2012

The accusation of sexual misconduct can be devastating for a defendant. First, the person is tried in the court of public opinion, and almost always found guilty when his or her mug shot appears in the news. Second, regardless of any sentence imposed in a criminal case, the defendant will be required to register as [...]

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Possession of a fraudulent identification card: a serious offense

February 17, 2012

Many people would be surprised to know that possessing a fake ID in the state of Illinois can result in felony charges. While it has been a right of passage for young people to use fake IDs to buy alcohol and get admitted to over-21 establishments, the law in Illinois punishes this practice severely.
The stiff [...]

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Illinois public indecency laws explained

November 8, 2011

The law in the state of Illinois says that is a criminal offense to expose oneself in public. The crime is called public indecency. The penalties for this offense can include up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $2500.
But most importantly, the crime of public indecency is classified as a sex [...]

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Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon under Illinois law

October 5, 2011

The state of Illinois has some of the nation’s toughest laws on firearms. It is tragic because Chicago is one of the most violent places in America. If there is any place in America where a person would need a firearm for protection, it would be Chicago.
Although the Second Amendment gives each person the right [...]

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Two types of domestic battery and penalties

September 13, 2011

The law in Illinois provides that there are two types of domestic battery offenses. First, a person can be charged with domestic battery for causing bodily harm to any family or household member. Second, a person can also be charged with domestic battery for making contact of an insulting and provoking nature with any family [...]

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New Illinois law criminalizes possession of bath salts, K2 and Spice

July 22, 2011

Illinois governor Pat Quinn signed a law on July 22, 2011 that makes it a criminal offense to possess bath salts. Bath salts are also known as MDPV, and cause a hallucinogenic experience with the user. A woman in downstate Illinois died from an overdose of bath salts within the last year.
Illinois is now part [...]

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Statistics show increase in felony charges across state of Illinois

May 29, 2011

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has been tracking felony and misdemeanor filings in state courts throughout Illinois over the years, and their findings may surprise you. The findings come as no surprise, however, to attorneys and judges handling these caseloads. The studies prove that, on average, prosecutors are seeking stiffer penalties more than ever.
Across [...]

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Illinois felonies result in conviction despite fact that offender has no criminal background

May 24, 2011

A person with no experience in the criminal justice system will see that the courts make a distinction between felony and misdemeanor cases. In almost every courthouse in Illinois, felony cases are heard by a judge who hears only felony matters. The judge presiding over felony cases is usually a Circuit Judge. These judges are [...]

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