If you’re like many people who have been accused of some type of domestic violence crime, you’ve wondered, “How serious is a domestic battery charge?”
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to that question, here’s what you need to know.
How Serious is a Domestic Battery Charge?
In the state of Illinois, domestic battery and aggravated domestic battery are both very serious charges – and if the court finds you guilty of either one, you’re going to have a permanent criminal record that will follow you wherever you go.
Domestic Battery: The Basics
Domestic battery is a Class A misdemeanor, and the court can find you guilty of it if you knowingly cause bodily harm to any family or household member, or if you make physical contact of an “insulting or provoking nature.”
Don’t let the fact that this type of battery is a misdemeanor give you the wrong idea, though. You can go to jail for up to a year, and the court can order you to pay fines of up to $2,500. If you have a previous domestic battery conviction, you could be looking at a Class 4 felony (which could put you behind bars for up to 3 years and require you to pay fines of up to $25,000).
Aggravated Domestic Battery: The Basics
Aggravated domestic battery is also a serious crime; its consequences are definitely more severe than they are for domestic battery. This crime is a Class 2 felony, which carries a penalty of between 3 and 7 years in prison. For people who have previously been convicted of domestic battery, the penalty can be from 3 to 14 years in prison.
Do You Need to Talk to a Lawyer About a Serious Domestic Battery Charge in Chicago?
If you’re in trouble and you need to talk to a domestic battery lawyer in Chicago or the suburbs, including Rolling Meadows or Skokie, call us immediately at 847-920-4540. We’ll be happy to give you a free case review and begin building a defense strategy that gets you the best possible outcome.
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