Illinois takes violent crimes such as assault, battery, and domestic violence very seriously. Jail or prison is a real possibility, and so are heavy fines and lengthy supervised probation. You could get kicked out of your home and cut off from your family. A conviction could damage your future employment opportunities, where you live. Additionally, Your ability to obtain financial aid for college, and your right to possess firearms.

 At Scott Kent Law, L.L.C., we understand the serious consequences at stake. We also understand that these charges often stem from retaliatory or exaggerated allegations by an offended party or calculated attempts to gain advantages in divorce or custody proceedings. We will diligently examine your case and determine if you can assert any defenses. Our attorneys are former felony prosecutors with more than 40 years of combined experience in criminal law. We know how prosecutors think. Hence, we will help you understand the charges and potential consequences you face, and how to respond to the allegations in a way that protects your best interests.

• Surely, Illinois statute defines battery as harmful, offensive, intimidating, or provocative intentional physical contact. Battery may range from a slap or shove to a violent attack involving fists, feet, or objects. It could involve a bar fight, a melee at school, an altercation with a neighbor or an attack by a stranger. But, If the incident results in severe bodily harm or involves a deadly weapon or other escalating factors, it may be charged as the more serious felony crime of aggravated battery or aggravated assault.

• People often use these terms interchangeably. “ She assaulted me.” “ I want him arrested for assault and battery.” The legal distinction is that assault is the threat of imminent bodily harm through menacing words or gestures, while battery involves actual contact or injury. Both are crimes and authorities often charge the accused is both offenses.

• Special laws apply when the victim and assailant have a close relationship. Domestic battery involves harm to a spouse or partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, ex-spouse or co-parent, or member of the family (child, parent, relative) or household (roommate). Typically the court will remove the accused from the home and issue an order of protection preventing contact. These are sensitive matters with much at stake. Particularly, We have a good track record in domestic violence defense, including a 96 percent dismissal rate in domestic battery defense.

 The penalties for assault and battery depend greatly on the severity of the actions of the perpetrator, the number of prior offenses, and any aggravating factors.

Illinois law generally makes unaggravated charges of assault Class C misdemeanors, and punishes them with:

• • Maximum sentences of 30 days in jail
  • Maximum fines of $1,500
  • Supervised or unsupervised probation for as long as two years
  • Community service ranging from 30 to 120 hours

Authorities can charge aggravated assault in Illinois as either a Class A misdemeanors or Class 4 felonies. Depending on the severity and facts of the case. Illinois punishes Class A misdemeanors with:

• Maximum sentences of one year in jail, including a defined amount of time in prison
• Maximum fines of $2,500
• Required supervised probation for as long as two years

Illinois punishes Class 4 felonies with:

• Imprisonment for one to three years
• Maximum fines of $25,000

Subsequent convictions for the same crime can increase the sentence to three to six years.

Illinois law generally classifies unaggregated battery charges as Class A misdemeanors, and punishes them with:

• Sentences of up to one year in jail, including a defined amount of time in prison
• Fines up to $2,500
• Required supervised probation up to two years

If you are charged with or convicted of aggravated battery, Illinois usually considers it a Class 3 felony, punishable by:

• Imprisonment for two to five years
• Maximum fines of $25,000
• Required supervised probation upon release for as long as 30 months

However, in the most egregious aggravated battery cases. a prosecutor can seek to elevate the charge to a Class 2, Class 1, or Class X felony. These elevated felonies can result in maximum prison sentences of 30 years. If you have one or more previous convictions for the same crime, the state can move to increase the prison term to a maximum of 60 years.

Under Illinois law, domestic battery is often treated as a Class A misdemeanor (resulting in the same injuries as battery outlined above), but a felony (which prosecutors can seek with varying degrees) if:

• The accused has a previous conviction for the same offense and violates an order of protection
• three (or more) convictions related to domestic battery
•  prior convictions for a long list of crimes, including murder, aggravated battery to children or elderly, criminal sexual assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraining, and other similar crimes.

Nevertheless, Repeat convictions for domestic battery carry a minimum of 72 hours in jail.

Depending on the facts of your case, you may discuss asserting a plausible defense to the assault or battery charges you face. While the prosecutor bears the burden of proving the charges against you, you bear the burden of proving you are entitled to a defense. Defenses are never guaranteed, but under the right circumstances, can provide a viable reason to drop, or at least lessen, the charges. Our attorneys will listen to the facts of your case and assert any and all appropriate defenses available to you.

Under Illinois law, you can use reasonable force to defend yourself or another, your dwelling, or to protect your property. Self-defense, however, is not a catch-all defense. Self-defense is only available in certain cases. You will need to prove that you had a reasonable belief it was necessary to defend yourself given the circumstances—and that, in defending yourself, you used a justifiable amount of force. For example, if an unarmed person threatens you and you shoot him with a gun, you may have used unjustifiable force. However, if someone threatens to punch you and you injure him with an appropriate, proportionate response, the court might consider that justifiable.

The scope of this defense is fairly narrow. If you assist a patient in some official capacity and that person attacks you, you may need to act out of privilege or necessity to defend yourself. Indeed, You will bear the burden of proof that you had to defend yourself and that you took justified action under the circumstances.

If you are charged with a battery crime and you had the actual consent to touch the alleged victim, you might use consent as a defense. Also, You will bear the burden of showing that you actually did have consent and the alleged victim gave such consent. Lacking actual evidence, you will find this defense hard to prove.

For some crimes, Illinois imposes a time limit on the amount of time that it can bring a criminal charge. This time is called the statute of limitations. However, some crimes, like first-degree murder, have no statute of limitations. Other crimes have statutes of limitations that expire after 18 months (misdemeanors) to two years (some felonies). If prosecutors bring the charges outside of the statute of limitations, you can assert this as a defense.

In addition, The state will bear the burden of proving any criminal charges against you beyond a reasonable doubt. You might seek a dismissal of the charges if the prosecutor lacks proper evidence, or evidence that clearly does not support the charge An experienced criminal defense attorney can assist in asserting the proper defenses. Do not delay talking with an attorney. Time is of the essence in building your defense.

Still, Having handled thousands of criminal cases, our lawyers deliver tough. Aggressive representation to respond to charges of assault and battery or spousal abuse. In many cases, police make an arrest without hearing all sides of the story or the evidence. If appropriate, we will explore your statutory defenses such as self-defense, defense of another, or provocation. Where possible or appropriate, we will examine the credibility and motivation of the complaint. As well as witness statements. Challenge a permanent restraining order or other restrictions that harm your life and fair treatment under the law. Contact Kent Law, L.L.C., today at (630) 474-8000 to schedule your free case consultation. From our office in Wheaton in DuPage County, we take cases in DuPage, Kane, and Cook Counties.