Class 4 felony

Summary of Felony Prison Sentences & Felony Classes in Illinois

August 9, 2021
Thumbnail image for Summary of Felony Prison Sentences & Felony Classes in Illinois

NOTE: The information below features additional content since original posting to detail how Public Act 101-440 adjusted sentencing credits. Since this Act became effective on January 1, 2020, eligible inmates can earn sentence credits for attending and completing various programs. Illinois law provides that a felony is any offense for which the penalty is one […]

Read the full article

What is aggravated DUI in Illinois?

August 6, 2021
Thumbnail image for What is aggravated DUI in Illinois?

NOTE: The page below was updated to account for passage of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (Public Act 101-0027) on January 1, 2020. After that date, Illinois legalized cannabis for recreational possession and use. Even still, it remains illegal to operate a motor vehicle while impaired by cannabis. Generally speaking, an arrest for driving […]

Read the full article

What is obstruction of justice according to Illinois law?

July 26, 2021
Thumbnail image for What is obstruction of justice according to Illinois law?

NOTE: This page reflects additional information concerning Public Act 101-440, which took effect on January 1, 2020. Starting at that point, eligible inmates in Illinois can earn supplementary credits for good behavior and, potentially, obtain early release from confinement. A charge for obstruction of justice is a serious criminal offense under Illinois state law. While […]

Read the full article

What are the penalties in Illinois for violating an order of protection?

July 22, 2021
Thumbnail image for What are the penalties in Illinois for violating an order of protection?

NOTE: The content below has been refreshed to account for the passage of Public Act 100-0987. When this Act took effect on July 1, 2019, there were subtle changes to the penalties for violating an order of protection in Illinois. Any person who violates an order of protection in Illinois will likely face Class A […]

Read the full article

Illinois law on felony probation sentences

July 12, 2021
Thumbnail image for Illinois law on felony probation sentences

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 […]

Read the full article

720 ILCS 5/24-1.6: Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon Under Illinois Law

May 18, 2021
Thumbnail image for 720 ILCS 5/24-1.6: Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon Under Illinois Law

NOTE: This article was refreshed to include new information on Illinois criminal law after passage of Public Act 101-440. This Act took effect on January 1, 2020, adjusting the availability of good behavior sentence reductions in certain situations. The State of Illinois has some of the nation’s toughest laws on firearms. It is tragic, because […]

Read the full article

Penalties for the offense of retail theft under Illinois law

January 23, 2020
Thumbnail image for Penalties for the offense of retail theft under Illinois law

Note: This article has been revised as of January 2020 and reflects the updated statute of retail theft. Retail theft used to be codified under 720 ILCS 5/16A-13. The new statute is 720 ILCS 5/16-25 which became effective on January 1, 2012. This article also encompasses the changes from 2011 that increased the cutoff for […]

Read the full article

What is domestic battery under Illinois law?

January 17, 2020
Thumbnail image for What is domestic battery under Illinois law?

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

Read the full article

What is Criminal Drug Trafficking in Illinois?

January 15, 2018
Thumbnail image for What is Criminal Drug Trafficking in Illinois?

Criminal drug trafficking in Illinois is a serious offense. There are a few types of criminal drug trafficking. 720 ILCS 550/5.1 outlines Cannabis Trafficking pursuant to the Cannabis Control Act while 720 ILCS 570/401.1 focuses on criminal drug trafficking pursuant to the Controlled Substances Act. Drug trafficking also applies to possession of a controlled substance […]

Read the full article

What is the Cannabis Law in Illinois?

March 17, 2016
Thumbnail image for What is the Cannabis Law in Illinois?

NOTE: The information below was modified to clarify the effect of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. After this Act became Illinois law on January 1, 2020, cannabis became legal for recreational possession and use, which also impacted various criminal offenses related to cannabis. Cannabis was formerly illegal to possess or use in the state […]

Read the full article