Domestic Offenses

How Does Illinois Penalize Violation of Civil No Contact Orders?

December 28, 2020
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Civil no contact orders are legal mechanisms under Illinois law designed to protect victims of sex crimes. These orders are available to victims of rape, sexual assault, or sexual abuse and their family or household members. Civil no contact orders are similar to an Illinois petition for order of protection in domestic violence cases. But […]

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Can parents in Illinois get charged with domestic battery for striking their children?

April 22, 2020
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NOTE: This page features updated content demonstrating 2020 changes in Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-0130. Since its effective date of January 1, this Act removed the statute of limitations for the regular and aggravated versions of criminal sexual assault. Domestic battery is a serious criminal offense in Illinois. The first offense is […]

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Will I lose my FOID card because of an order of protection?

April 6, 2020
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NOTE: The following entry features revised content to reflect Public Acts 100-607 and 100-906. When these acts became effective on January 1, 2019, there were numerous changes to the Illinois laws governing the denial, suspension, and revocation of firearm ownership rights. The State of Illinois has stringent regulations on the right to possess firearms when […]

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Why was I arrested for domestic battery when the victim refused to sign a complaint?

February 4, 2020
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NOTE: This article was updated to reflect 2020 changes in Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-0130. These new laws became effective on January 1st, eliminating the statute of limitations for various sex crimes, including criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. All too often a person involved in […]

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What is domestic battery under Illinois law?

January 17, 2020
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Illinois law says that domestic battery is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.

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Can a child get an order of protection against a parent in Illinois?

January 16, 2020
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NOTE: This article was updated to reflect 2020 changes in Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-0285. These changes became effective on January 1st, amending the Illinois statute governing female genital mutilation. Children may seek an order of protection against a parent under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, found at 750 ILCS 60/1 et […]

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Overview: Expunging Your Criminal Record in Illinois

February 27, 2016
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NOTE: This article was refreshed to account for Public Act 102-933, which became part of Illinois law on January 1, 2023. Since that date, Illinois modified the Criminal Identification Act to enable a person to request expungement, even after testing positive for cannabis. Expungement is the process where a criminal court disposition is removed from […]

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New Illinois law criminalizes parents who leave children with sex offenders

April 29, 2011
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Illinois lawmakers made a new criminal offense concerning sex offenders in 2011. Effective on January 1, 2011, the new law prohibits parents from leaving their children unattended with a child sex offender. The new law is found in the criminal code at 720 ILCS 5/12-21.6-5. The statute says that it is a Class A misdemeanor […]

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Illinois State Police can deny Firearm Owner’s Identification Card to persons convicted of domestic offenses

March 6, 2010
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Illinois requires all persons who own or purchase firearms to register for a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID card). It is a criminal offense to possess a weapon without a FOID card. The firearms owner must submit the application to the Illinois State Police, who will conduct a thorough background check to see if the […]

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What happens on a second offense of domestic battery in Illinois?

February 17, 2010
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Domestic battery enhanced is a Class 4 felony in Illinois. It is based on a prior domestic battery or violation of an order of protection.

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