What is the Illinois Crime of Inducement to Commit Suicide?

May 7, 2021
Thumbnail image for What is the Illinois Crime of Inducement to Commit Suicide?

In 2015, there was a highly publicized suicide case in Massachusetts involving Michelle Carter. This situation was commonly referred to as the “texting suicide case,” after Cater sent messages to a romantic partner, Conrad Roy, encouraging the act of suicide. As established in court documents, Roy expressed a desire and intent to commit suicide via […]

Read the full article

What is a Class X felony in Illinois?

May 3, 2021
Thumbnail image for What is a Class X felony in Illinois?

NOTE: This article includes refreshed content to account for updates to Illinois law since passage of Public Act 101-223. After an effective date of January 1, 2020, this Act adjusted and reclassified the Illinois legal approach to aggravated battery offenses (720 ILCS 5/12-3.05). The Class X felony is, short of first-degree murder, the most serious […]

Read the full article

What is a Class C misdemeanor in Illinois?

May 1, 2021
Thumbnail image for What is a Class C misdemeanor in Illinois?

NOTE: The content below was refreshed to account for changes to Illinois law on January 1, 2020, after the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (Illinois House Bill 1438) became effective. After that date, Illinois residents and out-of-state visitors are allowed to possess and use cannabis for recreational purposes, subject to certain limitations. The Class C […]

Read the full article

Child Endangerment Laws & Penalties in Illinois

April 9, 2021
Thumbnail image for Child Endangerment Laws & Penalties in Illinois

Child endangerment is a serious offense under the Illinois Criminal Code. As this offense involves the mistreatment of children – and, thus, an intersection of criminal law and family law – it is severe in the eyes of the Illinois courts. Part of this reality stems from the fact that the Illinois courts have a […]

Read the full article

How Does Illinois Penalize Violation of Civil No Contact Orders?

December 28, 2020
Thumbnail image for How Does Illinois Penalize Violation of Civil No Contact Orders?

Civil no contact orders are legal mechanisms under Illinois law designed to protect victims of sex crimes. These orders are available to victims of rape, sexual assault, or sexual abuse and their family or household members. Civil no contact orders are similar to an Illinois petition for order of protection in domestic violence cases. But […]

Read the full article

Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault in Illinois: 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40

October 22, 2020
Thumbnail image for Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault in Illinois: 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40

What is the Illinois Crime of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault? Predatory criminal sexual assault is an Illinois sex crime that involves child victims under the age of 13 years old. The perpetrator in these situations is normally an adult, though 17-year-old teenagers can commit this crime also. Predatory criminal sexual assault can occur without or […]

Read the full article

Is There a Difference Between Protestors, Rioters & Looters in Illinois?

July 31, 2020
Thumbnail image for Is There a Difference Between Protestors, Rioters & Looters in Illinois?

In the recent past, the movement for social justice and equality has gained significant momentum across the United States. In Chicago, specifically, widespread protests have sprung up regularly since George Floyd died at the hands of police officers in Minnesota. Unfortunately, some individuals have used peaceful protests as cover to commit criminal acts, like rioting […]

Read the full article

What offenses mandate sex offender registration in Illinois?

July 24, 2020
Thumbnail image for What offenses mandate sex offender registration in Illinois?

NOTE: The following article features updated materials to explain how Illinois law changed with Public Act 101-571. Since an August 2019 effective date, this Act made several changes to Sections 3, 10, and 11 of the Sex Offender Registration Act, including funding sources. Illinois Sex Offender Registration Mandate Illinois law provides that any person who is found […]

Read the full article

Illinois Inmate Early Release

July 17, 2020
Thumbnail image for Illinois Inmate Early Release

NOTE: This page contains new materials to account for updates to Illinois law after passage of Public Act 101-440. After January 1, 2020, this Act modified several provisions of 730 ILCS 5/3-6-3, including guidelines for sentencing credits earned toward early release. There was a time in Illinois when inmates could get released from state prison […]

Read the full article

720 ILCS 5/31-4.5: Obstructing Identification & Providing a False Name to Police in Illinois

July 10, 2020
Thumbnail image for 720 ILCS 5/31-4.5: Obstructing Identification & Providing a False Name to Police in Illinois

NOTE: The following entry includes additional content to address the new Illinois requirements after Public Act 101-440 became effective. Since January 1, 2020, this Act amended the Criminal Identification Act and certain requirements for sealing criminal records. When a police officer conducts a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation, or detains a person on […]

Read the full article

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →