what is criminal domestic violence - domestic violence defense lawyer chicago

Criminal domestic violence is an umbrella term that covers domestic battery and aggravated domestic battery. Both of those crimes can lead to an order of protection against you, jail time, and other serious penalties.

What is Criminal Domestic Violence?

The term criminal domestic violence isn’t an actual charge in Chicago, Skokie, or Rolling Meadows (or elsewhere in Illinois, for that matter). Instead, it refers to two specific criminal charges: domestic battery and aggravated domestic battery.

Domestic Battery

Domestic battery involves physical harm caused to another person who falls into a particular relationship category. In order for domestic battery to occur (rather than just battery), the alleged victim must be the alleged perpetrator’s:

  • Spouse or ex-spouse
  • Blood-related family member
  • Co-parent or related by blood through a child
  • Current or former roommate
  • Caregiver if the victim is elderly or disabled
  • Parent
  • Stepparent
  • Child

Domestic battery is a Class A misdemeanor, which can put you behind bars for up to a year and cost you up to $2,500 in fines. If you have a previous domestic battery conviction, you could be looking at a Class 4 felony, which can put you in prison for up to 3 years and cost you up to $25,000 in fines.

Aggravated Domestic Battery

Aggravated domestic battery also involves physical harm caused to another person who falls under a certain relationship category (the same categories listed above apply to aggravated domestic battery, too).

However, it involves the defendant intentionally causing great bodily harm or causing permanent disfigurement or disability to the alleged victim.

Do You Need to Talk to a Lawyer About Criminal Domestic Violence?

If you’ve been accused of any type of criminal domestic violence, call us right away at 847-920-4540 for a free case review. We’ll look at your situation and start developing a plan to get you the best possible outcome right away.

 

More Criminal Domestic Violence Resources

Can a domestic battery case be dismissed in Chicago?

Can you plead ‘not guilty’ to a domestic battery charge in Chicago?

Domestic violence allegations in divorce cases

What crimes are considered domestic battery in Chicago?