Man being arrested for domesticDomestic battery is a crime in the state of Illinois, but if you’re like many people, you’re not sure whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony. Either way, it’s a serious offense that has serious consequences—and the consequences of a conviction can follow you for the rest of your life.

Is Domestic Battery a Misdemeanor or Felony?

Domestic battery is often a Class A misdemeanor, but you need to know that there are two classifications for this crime. In some cases, domestic battery can be a felony.

Domestic Battery

Domestic battery is knowingly and without legal justification causing bodily harm to any family or household member, or making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with any family or household member.

Aggravated Domestic Battery

Aggravated domestic battery has the same conditions as domestic battery does, in that it includes the commission of a domestic battery but causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. Strangulation is also considered aggravated domestic battery.

Domestic Battery as a Misdemeanor

Simple domestic battery is a Class A misdemeanor, and if the state convicts you, you could be facing up to a year of jail time and a fine of up to $2,500.

However, domestic battery can be a Class 4 felony in some instances (including when it is considered aggravated domestic battery).

It can be a Class 3 or even a Class 2 felony if you have prior convictions for domestic battery (or crimes of a similar nature in other jurisdictions; in some jurisdictions, domestic battery is called domestic assault or domestic violence).

Have You Been Accused of Domestic Battery?

If you’ve been accused of domestic battery in Chicago or the surrounding communities, we may be able to help you—but you need to call a domestic battery defense attorney as soon as possible. We’ll be happy to give you a free domestic battery case review.

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