Class A Misdemeanors

Dissecting the Illinois Laws Against Speeding in a School Zone

July 19, 2021
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In the interest of protecting children and school employees from unreasonable danger or harm, the State of Illinois enacted special speed limits for school zones. These special speed limits are only effective during the school day and if there is a legally posted sign indicating the maximum allowable speed. Before delving into the details of […]

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Having contact with victim in domestic battery is a crime

July 15, 2021
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NOTE: This page includes new information to account for the passage of Public Act 101-223 (effective January 1, 2020) and Public Act 101-651 (effective August 7, 2020). Since the aforementioned effective dates, Illinois law features new conditions for aggravated battery, which can be considered a previous conviction in domestic battery cases. Domestic battery arrest After […]

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Choking or strangling a person during domestic battery is now a felony in Illinois

July 8, 2021
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NOTE: This article reflects additional content to clarify the significance of Public Act 101-0130, which became Illinois law on January 1, 2020. After its effective date, this Act eliminated the statute of limitations for prosecuting various sex crimes that can impact the sentencing for domestic battery, including criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and […]

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What are the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident in Illinois?

July 6, 2021
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Driving off after a car accident can be a serious criminal offense in Illinois.

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What is criminal sexual abuse in Illinois?

June 28, 2021
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NOTE: The following content includes new information to account for changes to Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-0130. Since January 1, 2020, this Act removed the statute of limitations for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Sex between two consenting persons who are under 17 years of […]

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Two types of domestic battery and penalties

June 25, 2021
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NOTE: This article features additional content to account for changes to Illinois law after passage of Public Act 101-0130. Since this Act became effective in 2019, there is no longer a statute of limitations for criminal sexual abuse or criminal sexual abuse, which has potentially serious implications in the context of domestic battery cases. Illinois […]

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Illinois Law Changes Definition of Forgery in 2012

June 10, 2021
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NOTE: The following information was updated to explore the effect of Public Act 101-645. Since this Act became effective on June 26, 2020, certain Illinois rules have changed concerning the expungement or sealing arrests, charges, and convictions. Forgery is a crime that has gone through many changes under the Illinois criminal code. This offense is […]

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What is a Class B misdemeanor in Illinois?

May 25, 2021
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NOTE: This page includes adjusted content to reflect the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (Illinois House Bill 1438), which became effective on January 1, 2020. Since that time, it is no longer an offense to possess cannabis within certain limits for in-state residents and out-of-state visitors. Under Illinois law, a criminal offense is generally classified […]

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An Explanation of Illinois Sex Crimes

May 12, 2021
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NOTE: The following information was updated to account for various amendments to sex crimes under the Illinois Criminal Code in 2019. More specifically, Public Act 101-0130 eliminated the statute of limitations for prosecuting major sex crimes in Illinois, including the regular and aggravated versions of criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual abuse. The accusation of […]

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What is the Illinois Crime of Inducement to Commit Suicide?

May 7, 2021
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In 2015, there was a highly publicized suicide case in Massachusetts involving Michelle Carter. This situation was commonly referred to as the “texting suicide case,” after Cater sent messages to a romantic partner, Conrad Roy, encouraging the act of suicide. As established in court documents, Roy expressed a desire and intent to commit suicide via […]

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