What are the Penalties for Assault Charges in Illinois?

 Posted on May 30, 2019 in Criminal Law

According to Illinois law, a person can face assault charges if he or she takes part in an act that puts another person in danger of battery. Battery is defined as one person causing bodily harm to another person and making physical contact that is not authorized by another person. While the acts of assault and battery are alike, they are two separate violent crime charges in Illinois. A person can be charged with one or both of the charges, and they may face serious punishments as a result of these crimes.

How Does Aggravated Assault and Battery Differ from Simple Charges?

Aggravated charges of battery or assault result in more severe punishments, because the crime is considered worse than just a simple charge. According to Illinois law, aggravated battery is the act of causing bodily harm or permanent disfigurement to another person as a result of unwanted or confrontational physical contact. Someone can also be charged with aggravated battery or aggravated assault when:

• The victim of the assault is a government employee, police officer, or firefighter.

• The alleged assaulter uses flammable or caustic material to cause bodily disfigurement.

• The victim of the assault is over 60 years old or has a physical disability.

• The victim of the assault is a teacher or school employee, and the crime occurs on school property.

An act of simple battery is charged as a Class A misdemeanor. Most aggravated battery charges are Class 3 felonies, but a charge can be elevated to a Class 2 felony if the victim is over 60 years old, a peace officer, or the assaulter knowingly puts the victim in contact with blood, urine or other substances.

The charges can be further elevated to a Class 1 felony if the battery was intentional or is considered severe torture of the victim. Finally, the charges can be elevated to a Class X felony if a firearm is used during the battery. As a result of the conviction, a person can face up to 30 years of jail time. If any prior violations have occurred, a person can face up to 60 years in jail.

If someone is charged with a simple assault charge in Illinois, they will face a different punishment than a battery charge. Simple assault is a Class C misdemeanor and can be punishable with jail time of up to 30 days, a fine of up to $1,500, and/or up to 120 hours of community service.

Aggravated assault is a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by one year in prison and/or a $2,500 fine. If weapons were used in the assault, the alleged assaulter faces a Class 4 felony, which is punishable by a prison term of 1-3 years, a fine of $25,000, or both.

Defense Strategies for Assault Charges

If you have been charged with assault or battery, you may be able to defend against these charges by claiming that you acted in self defense or in defense of property and that your actions would not have happened if you had not already felt threatened. You may also be able to argue that you had received consent from the alleged victim to have physical contact with no intent to injure.

Contact a Joliet, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

The first step to defending against assault or battery charges is to find a reliable criminal defense lawyer. The experienced legal team at the Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C. is ready to hear your case and build a defense on your behalf. To set up a free consultation with a Will County violent crimes attorney, call 815-666-1285 today.

Sources:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=072000050K12-3.05

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&SeqStart=21100000&SeqEnd=23000000