Illinois law on aggravated battery charges is tough, and you may face charges for acts you did not realize were criminal in nature. Maybe you were home from college and out celebrating with friends, and you got into a little push-and-shove incident at a bar. Perhaps you reacted violently to an insult or used poor judgment in an encounter with a police officer. Even if there was no gun involved in the scuffle, a conviction in an aggravated battery case has far-reaching implications. Beyond the long jail sentence and sky-high fines, your life will no longer be the same. Your permanent criminal record will reveal a felony conviction any time a person or company runs a background check.
Under the circumstances, it is critical to retain a skilled criminal defense lawyer to fight for your rights. Plus, it may help to review a summary of the laws, penalties, and other consequences in these cases.
Aggravated Battery Laws in Illinois
Under Illinois law, you could be charged with aggravated battery if certain facts are present during commission of the crime. They include:
- Your actions cause great bodily harm or permanent disability;
- You attack the victim with a flammable or hazardous substance that causes disability or disfigurement;
- You cause great bodily harm or permanent disability to a law enforcement officer or other public servant; or,
- You strangle someone.
There are additional provisions covering certain types of victims, such as the elderly, children, disabled adults, and other individuals defined by law. Note that any battery that involves discharge of a firearm is not included in this section, and is covered by a different Illinois criminal statute.
Criminal Penalties for a Conviction on Aggravated Battery Charges
Any time you see the word “aggravated” before a criminal term, you can expect that the sanctions for a guilty verdict will be serious. In fact, aggravated battery is a Class 3 Felony in most cases. You face a jail sentence of two to five years, along with a hefty fine. However, based upon the severity of the circumstances and any past criminal history, the prosecutor could elevate the crime to a higher grade felony. Your sentence may include up to 30 years in prison for a first offense, and enhancement laws could bump your jail term up to 60 years.
Other Consequences
Besides the criminal sanctions, a conviction for aggravated battery could follow you around for life. A felony on your record will show up in background checks, so it could affect your current job or future employment opportunities. You may not qualify for loans, educational opportunities, and some types of public benefits.
Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney to Discuss Illinois Aggravated Battery Charges
If you were arrested for aggravated battery and want to know more about your rights, please contact Glasgow & Olsson right away. We defend clients throughout Cook, Lake, DuPage, and McHenry Counties, so we have in-depth knowledge of the criminal process in all area courts. You can reach our office to schedule a consultation by calling 847.577.8700 or completing our online request form.
(image courtesy of David von Diemar)