bodily harm

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

August 18, 2022
Thumbnail image for What happens on a second offense of domestic battery in Illinois?

NOTE: The article below contains additional information to clarify the importance of Public Act 101-651. This Act took effect on August 7, 2020 and expanded the circumstances under which an offender may face charges for aggravated battery, which can serve as a prior conviction for the purposes of domestic battery charges. A second offense for […]

Read the full article

The penalty for driving without insurance in Illinois increased in 2010

August 16, 2021
Thumbnail image for The penalty for driving without insurance in Illinois increased in 2010

NOTE: The material below was updated to account for changes to Illinois law with passage of Public Act 99-613 (effective January 1, 2017) and Public Act 100-202 (effective January 1, 2018). After these Acts became effective, there were several changes to Illinois laws that address driving without insurance in Illinois. Driving without insurance Vehicle insurance […]

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

Two types of domestic battery and penalties

June 25, 2021
Thumbnail image for Two types of domestic battery and penalties

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 […]

Read the full article

An Explanation of Illinois Sex Crimes

May 12, 2021
Thumbnail image for An Explanation of Illinois Sex Crimes

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 […]

Read the full article

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

April 22, 2020
Thumbnail image for Can parents in Illinois get charged with domestic battery for striking their children?

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 […]

Read the full article

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

February 4, 2020
Thumbnail image for Why was I arrested for domestic battery when the victim refused to sign a complaint?

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 […]

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

Summary of sentencing rules for misdemeanor offenders

December 5, 2011
Thumbnail image for Summary of sentencing rules for misdemeanor offenders

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 […]

Read the full article

What is the legal definition of great bodily harm?

April 25, 2010
Thumbnail image for What is the legal definition of great bodily harm?

If a person causes great bodily harm to another while committing a criminal offense, the charge is usually a felony. What is the definition of great bodily harm? The Illinois Criminal Code of 1961 does not specify which injuries constitute great bodily harm. The question is for the jury to decide. When defendants have been […]

Read the full article