Most Common Crimes Committed By Illinois Inmates

 Posted on July 26, 2018 in Felonies & Misdemeanors

Each year, the Illinois Department of Corrections releases an annual report which details programs in place at correctional facilities in the state and statistics about the prison population. In 2017, there were 43,075 inmates that were serving sentences in 25 correctional centers throughout the state. The majority of inmates--29.2 percent--were convicted of Class X felonies or the most serious felony classification for crimes other than murder.

Assault or Battery

Inmates: 3,976

Percent: 9.2

Nearly 10 percent of inmates in Illinois prisons were convicted of assault or battery. A person commits assault if they place someone in danger of receiving a battery. Assault is a Class C misdemeanor unless a person commits aggravated assault, then it can be classified as a Class 3 or 4 felony, depending on the circumstances. A person commits battery when they cause bodily harm to another person, or make physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature. Battery is a Class A misdemeanor unless the person committed aggravated battery, then it can be classified up to a Class 1 felony, depending on the circumstances. The sentences for these crimes can be anywhere from just a fine and probation up to 30 years in prison.

Sexual Assault or Rape

Inmates: 4,767

Percent: 11.1

Sexual assault is classified as a Class 1 felony and is committed when a person performs an act of sexual penetration and uses force or threat of force. Sexual assault carries a sentence of four to 30 years in prison.

Aggravated sexual assault is committed when a person commits sexual assault and uses a weapon or causes bodily harm to the victim. This crime is a Class X felony and carries a sentence of six to 60 years.

Controlled Substance Violation

Inmates: 6,979

Percent: 16.2

These crimes are any crimes that are committed in violation of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. These crimes could include manufacturing, delivering, possessing or intending to manufacture, deliver or possess a controlled substance. A person convicted of any of those crimes can face a prison sentence of six to 60 years, depending on the type of controlled substance and the amount of the substance the person had.

Homicide

Inmates: 8,690

Percent: 20.2

First-Degree Murder

In Illinois, a person commits first-degree murder when he or she kills or commits great bodily harm to another person and knew what they were doing would cause the person to die. First-degree murder can carry a death sentence or life in prison sentence, depending on the circumstances of the crime. If neither is an appropriate sentence, the person will face a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum of 100 years in prison.

Second-Degree Murder

Second-degree murder is similar to first-degree murder, except the person who committed the murder did so in the heat of the moment, and the murder was not premeditated. Second-degree murder is a Class 1 felony and those convicted face a sentence between four and 30 years in prison.

Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless Homicide

A person is guilty of involuntary manslaughter if they acted recklessly and those acts, which could be lawful or unlawful, caused the death of another person. If the act involved a motor vehicle, the crime is called reckless homicide. Both crimes are a Class 3 felony and carry a possible sentence of two to 10 years in prison.

Consult with An Arlington Heights Criminal Defense Attorney

There are tens of thousands of inmates in Illinois serving sentences for various crimes - you do not want to be one of them. A criminal conviction could follow you for the rest of your life and complicate almost everything you do. If you have been charged with a crime, the smartest thing you can do is contact a Cook County criminal defense lawyer immediately. Contact Scott F. Anderson, Attorney At Law and begin discussing the details of your case today. Call the office at 847-253-3400 to set up a consultation.

Sources:

https://www2.illinois.gov/idoc/reportsandstatistics/Documents/FY2017%20IDOC%20Annual%20Report%20FINAL.pdf

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

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=073000050HCh%2E+V%2E+Art%2E+4%2E5&ActID=1999&ChapterID=55&SeqStart=27200000&SeqEnd=29600000