Possible Penalties for Misdemeanor Convictions in Illinois

 Posted on November 11, 2023 in Criminal Law

Although a misdemeanor is punished less harshly than a felony, you could still face serious penalties. If you are charged with a misdemeanor in Illinois, there is a chance that you could spend up to one year in jail.

If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor, reach out to an Arlington Heights criminal defense lawyer today. 

What is a Misdemeanor?

Crimes are categorized as either misdemeanors or felonies. A misdemeanor is a less serious crime that usually penalizes the wrongdoer with fines, community service, probation, and at most one year in prison.

In Illinois, the following crimes are classified as misdemeanors:

• Assault and battery
• Retail theft (under $300)
• Possession of marijuana (between 2.5 to 10 grams)
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Disorderly conduct

Misdemeanor Classifications and Penalties

Illinois has three classes of misdemeanors, from most serious to least serious: Class A, Class B, and Class C. 

Misdemeanor convictions may result in jail time, fines, probation, community service, or any combination of these penalties.

Jail Time, Fines, and Probation

For a Class A misdemeanor, possible penalties include:

• Up to 364 days in county jail
• A maximum fine of $2,500
• Up to two years of conditional discharge or probation

For a Class B misdemeanor, possible penalties include:

• Up to six months in county jail
• A maximum fine of $2,500
• Up to two years of conditional discharge or probation

For a Class C misdemeanor, possible penalties include:

• Up to 30 days in county jail
• A maximum fine of $1,500
• Up to two years of conditional discharge or probation

Community Service

As part of probation, conditional discharge, or supervised release, an offender may be ordered by the court to participate in community service. Community service gives criminals the opportunity to provide for their community as productive citizens.

The community service program has the following goals:

• To offer courts an alternative means of punishing offenders while mitigating the problem of overcrowding prisons;
• To allow non-profits the opportunity to have offenders working for them while keeping labor costs low;
• Requiring offenders to participate in bettering their community; and
• Requiring offenders to perform productive and legal activities for their community

Potential worksites in Cook County include:

• Townships
• Police Departments
• Libraries
• Nursing Homes
• Animal Shelters
• Food pantries 
• Schools
• Hospitals

Placements are made based on what is most appropriate given your case, taking into account your likelihood of committing the same or a similar crime in the future. Defendants who have a greater chance of relapsing will be more closely supervised than a person who is at a lower risk of re-offending.

Even if the chances of jail time are lower for misdemeanor charges, you still need the guidance and representation of an experienced Rolling Meadows criminal defense lawyer. 

Aggressive Representation When You Need It: Contact a Rolling Meadows, IL, Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

A misdemeanor conviction can ruin your chances of furthering your career, buying a house, and even affect your immigration status. If you believe that you have been wrongfully convicted, an Arlington Heights, IL, criminal defense lawyer may be able to get your sentence reduced. Contact Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law online or by calling 847-253-3400 today to schedule your free consultation.