What is the Penalty for Choking Someone During a Domestic Battery Offense?

Domestic battery is a serious crime in the state of Illinois, and it’s one that could put you behind bars for a significant amount of time. Even more serious, the crime of aggravated domestic battery carries harsher penalties; Aggravated domestic battery occurs when one person strangles another in the course of committing domestic battery. If you are accused of aggravated domestic battery, it may be in your best interest to speak to an attorney who handles these types of cases as soon as possible. 

What is the Penalty for Choking Someone During a Domestic Battery Offense?

Under Illinois law, if you choke someone while committing domestic battery, you can be found guilty of aggravated domestic battery. Aggravated domestic battery is a more serious crime than standard domestic battery is, and as such, it carries harsher penalties. In fact, aggravated domestic battery is a Class 2 felony. If you are convicted of aggravated domestic battery, you could spend between three and seven years in prison.

Related: Can you get domestic battery charges dropped?

Aggravated Domestic Battery Defined

Illinois State law defines aggravated domestic battery as battery against a family or household member in which the victim is subjected to great bodily harm, or permanent disability or disfigurement. Additionally, it’s considered aggravated domestic battery when the alleged perpetrator strangles the alleged victim. To strangle someone means to intentionally impede that person’s normal breathing by applying pressure to their throat or neck, or by blocking their nose or mouth.

Will You Go to Prison for Choking Someone During Domestic Battery?

If you are convicted of aggravated domestic battery because you choked someone, the judge in your case can sentence you to between three and seven years in prison. You may also have to put pay heavy fines.

Related: Does a domestic battery conviction stay on your criminal record forever?

What Should You Do if You’re Accused of Aggravated Domestic Battery?

If you are accused of aggravated domestic battery because you choked someone, you may want to get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will ask you several questions about the alleged incident, in order to formulate the best possible defense for you. Because aggravated domestic battery carries such a significant potential prison sentence, many people find that working with an attorney is the best possible way to get a more favorable outcome.

Do You Need to Talk to an Attorney About Domestic Battery Defense?

If you need to talk to a domestic battery defense attorney in Illinois, we’re here to help. Call us at 847-920-4540 now – we’ll be happy to give you a free consultation and talk to you about your options.