Sentences

Illinois law on felony probation sentences

July 12, 2021
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NOTE: This article features updated content to explain the impact of Public Act 101-440. After an effective date of January 1, 2020, certain inmates with eligible convictions may earn additional time off their sentence by completing specific program requirements. Felony sentencing The principal rule in regards to felony sentencing in the Illinois courts is that […]

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Truth-in-sentencing: defendants must serve more than 50% of the sentence imposed

July 1, 2021
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NOTE: The article below includes updated material to explore how Public Act 101-440 impacted truth-in-sentencing laws in Illinois. After an effective date of January 1, 2020, this Act opened a new avenue to sentence credit for eligible inmates. Defendants in felony cases are subject to special rules for their criminal sentence. Compared to misdemeanor sentencing, […]

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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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How many times can I get court supervision for traffic tickets in Illinois?

June 22, 2021
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NOTE: This page features refreshed content to explain how Public Act 101-55 adjusted certain traffic laws in Illinois. Since January 1, 2020, this Act increased the mandatory fines for the offense of passing a stopped school bus. Court supervision is the minimum sentence in Illinois, allowing charge(s) to be dismissed after a period of time […]

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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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What is a Class C misdemeanor in Illinois?

May 1, 2021
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NOTE: The content below was refreshed to account for changes to Illinois law on January 1, 2020, after the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (Illinois House Bill 1438) became effective. After that date, Illinois residents and out-of-state visitors are allowed to possess and use cannabis for recreational purposes, subject to certain limitations. The Class C […]

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What offenses mandate sex offender registration in Illinois?

July 24, 2020
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NOTE: The following article features updated materials to explain how Illinois law changed with Public Act 101-571. Since an August 2019 effective date, this Act made several changes to Sections 3, 10, and 11 of the Sex Offender Registration Act, including funding sources. Illinois Sex Offender Registration Mandate Illinois law provides that any person who is found […]

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