An Overview of Violent Crimes in Illinois and Their Consequences

 Posted on April 18, 2019 in Criminal Law

In the United States, violent crime is not uncommon. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there were more than 1.2 million violent crimes reported in the country in 2017. In Illinois alone, there were an estimated 56,000 incidences of violent crime that year. The state of Illinois defines violent crime as any felony crime that involves the use of force or the threat of force against the victim, or any misdemeanor crime in which death or great bodily harm comes to the victim.

Violent crime is taken extremely seriously and penalties for a conviction are severe. If you are charged with a violent crime, it is important you understand the potential consequences, and that you speak with a skilled criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Types of Violent Crime

In Illinois, there are numerous offenses that fall into the category of violent crimes. Here are the most common violent crimes in Illinois and the consequences for committing them:

Assault and Battery: Assault and battery are typically mentioned together because you cannot commit battery without also committing assault. Assault is defined as putting someone in jeopardy of having battery inflicted upon them. Battery is defined as causing bodily harm to a person or making contact of an insulting or provoking nature with them. Battery is charged as a Class A misdemeanor, although it can go up to a Class X felony, depending on the circumstances.

Sexual Assault: This can be classified either as general sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault. General sexual assault occurs when a person commits an act of sexual penetration and uses force or threat of force, knows the victim is unable to consent to the act, or the person holds a role of authority over the victim. Aggravated sexual assault occurs when a person commits sexual assault but brandishes or uses a weapon, causes bodily harm to the victim, endangers the life of the victim, or there are any other aggravating factors present. Sexual assault charges can range from a Class 1 felony to a Class X felony, meaning a person can face four to 30 years in prison.

Murder: In Illinois, there are varying degrees of murder. First-degree murder occurs when a person kills another person and the offender intended to kill that person or knew their actions created a strong possibility that death would result. Second-degree murder occurs when a person commits first-degree murder but they were seriously provoked by the victim or they unreasonably believed that the killing was justified. Sentences for murder can range anywhere from a Class 1 felony to a Class X felony, although first-degree murder is a separate felony sentence. Penalties for first-degree murder can include life imprisonment or 20 to 100 years in prison. Penalties for second-degree murder can include four to 30 years in prison.

Get Help From an Arlington Heights, IL Violent Crimes Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with a violent crime, it is crucial you immediately contact a knowledgeable Rolling Meadows, IL violent crimes defense lawyer. Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law has more than 25 years of experience dealing with all areas of criminal law. You can rely on Attorney Anderson to provide an elite-level defense against any allegation you may face. Call our office at 847-253-3400 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2017/crime-in-the-u.s.-2017/topic-pages/tables/table-5

https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2017/crime-in-the-u.s.-2017/topic-pages/violent-crime

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=072501200K3

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53