Probation

First felony offense eligible for deferred prosecution under Offender Initiative Program

December 29, 2012
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A person who is charged with a felony but has no criminal background will benefit from a new state law in 2013 that allows for dismissal. The Offender Initiative Program is a new statute modeled after the deferred prosecution program developed by Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez. The statute will apply in all counties [...]

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Job applicants with criminal records may find employment under new EEOC policy

October 29, 2012
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As anyone with a criminal record can tell you, one conviction can have a devastating impact on your future. When you apply for a job with a criminal record, you usually don’t expect to make it past the background check. But that all may change soon under an important policy change with the Equal Employment [...]

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An explanation of Illinois sex crimes

March 5, 2012
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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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Summary of sentencing rules for misdemeanor offenders

December 5, 2011
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The potential penalties for a Class A misdemeanor offense include up to one year in the county jail and a maximum fine of $2500. Technically, a sentence of incarceration can last for only 364 days. A jail sentence of 365 days or more is only permissible for a felony offense. Additionally, any sentence lasting one [...]

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Two types of domestic battery and penalties

September 13, 2011
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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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Illinois felonies result in conviction despite fact that offender has no criminal background

May 24, 2011
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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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Illinois law on felony probation sentences, generally

May 20, 2011
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The principal rule in regards to felony sentencing in Illinois courts is that the judge is not allowed to sentence the defendant to a conviction only. Rather, the law requires that the judge must sentence the defendant to a conviction combined with some other terms. Usually in felony cases, the judge has discretion to sentence [...]

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What is a Class C misdemeanor in Illinois?

April 10, 2011
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The Class C misdemeanor in Illinois is an atypical offense. Most misdemeanor offenses are categorized as Class A misdemeanors, not Class C misdemeanors. The law in Illinois says that a person charged with a Class C misdemeanor is subject to a maximum 30 days imprisonment and fine of $1,500. On the books, there are three [...]

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What is a Class B misdemeanor in Illinois?

March 23, 2011
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Under Illinois law, a criminal offense is generally classified as either a felony or a misdemeanor. The difference between felony and misdemeanor is that a felony has a penalty of one year or more imprisonment, whereas a misdemeanor is a penalty of less than one year. There are three types of misdemeanors: Class A, Class [...]

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What is a Class A misdemeanor in Illinois?

February 13, 2011
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All criminal charges in the state of Illinois fall generally into two categories: felony and misdemeanor. The distinction between felony and misdemeanor is that a felony offense has a possible sentence of one year or more imprisonment, whereas a misdemeanor is less than one year. Most states classify their offenses in this same manner. The [...]

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