affirmative defense

I got arrested by an undercover officer. Is that entrapment?

April 25, 2022
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Under Illinois law, a person arrested for a criminal offense when the police have acted deceptively (e.g., undercover) may be able to assert a defense of entrapment.

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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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A summary of the law and penalties for involuntary manslaughter

April 10, 2020
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NOTE: This article was updated to reflect 2020 changes to Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-173. This Act became effective on January 1st and instituted various amendments to the Illinois Vehicle Code, including an update to the penalties for involuntary manslaughter offenses involving violations of Scott’s Law. Involuntary manslaughter under Illinois law refers […]

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I got arrested for battery. What are the penalties under Illinois law?

April 18, 2010
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Battery is a criminal offense in Illinois that is classified as a misdemeanor, unless there is serious injury. In cases of serious injury, battery is charged as a felony. Battery is found in the criminal code at 720 ILCS 5/12-3, which provides the following: A person commits battery if he (or she) intentionally or knowingly […]

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