early release

Summary of Felony Prison Sentences & Felony Classes in Illinois

August 9, 2021
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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 […]

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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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Illinois Inmate Early Release

July 17, 2020
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NOTE: This page contains new materials to account for updates to Illinois law after passage of Public Act 101-440. After January 1, 2020, this Act modified several provisions of 730 ILCS 5/3-6-3, including guidelines for sentencing credits earned toward early release. There was a time in Illinois when inmates could get released from state prison […]

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What is the legal definition of great bodily harm?

April 25, 2010
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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 […]

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