720 ILCS 5/12-3.2(a)(1)

What happens on a second offense of domestic battery in Illinois?

August 18, 2022
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NOTE: The article below contains additional information to clarify the importance of Public Act 101-651. This Act took effect on August 7, 2020 and expanded the circumstances under which an offender may face charges for aggravated battery, which can serve as a prior conviction for the purposes of domestic battery charges. A second offense for […]

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Can the victim make the State drop charges in a domestic battery case?

August 20, 2021
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NOTE: This article has updated material to explain the impact of Public Act 101-223 (effective January 1, 2020) and Public Act 101-651 (effective August 7, 2020). Once these acts became law in Illinois, certain rules changed concerning aggravated battery offenses. Many people believe that if they are the victim of a domestic violence incident, they […]

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Choking or strangling a person during domestic battery is now a felony in Illinois

July 8, 2021
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NOTE: This article reflects additional content to clarify the significance of Public Act 101-0130, which became Illinois law on January 1, 2020. After its effective date, this Act eliminated the statute of limitations for prosecuting various sex crimes that can impact the sentencing for domestic battery, including criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and […]

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Two types of domestic battery and penalties

June 25, 2021
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NOTE: This article features additional content to account for changes to Illinois law after passage of Public Act 101-0130. Since this Act became effective in 2019, there is no longer a statute of limitations for criminal sexual abuse or criminal sexual abuse, which has potentially serious implications in the context of domestic battery cases. Illinois […]

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Can parents in Illinois get charged with domestic battery for striking their children?

April 22, 2020
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NOTE: This page features updated content demonstrating 2020 changes in Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-0130. Since its effective date of January 1, this Act removed the statute of limitations for the regular and aggravated versions of criminal sexual assault. Domestic battery is a serious criminal offense in Illinois. The first offense is […]

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Why was I arrested for domestic battery when the victim refused to sign a complaint?

February 4, 2020
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NOTE: This article was updated to reflect 2020 changes in Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-0130. These new laws became effective on January 1st, eliminating the statute of limitations for various sex crimes, including criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. All too often a person involved in […]

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What is domestic battery under Illinois law?

January 17, 2020
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Illinois law says that domestic battery is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.

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What is the legal definition of great bodily harm?

April 25, 2010
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If a person causes great bodily harm to another while committing a criminal offense, the charge is usually a felony. What is the definition of great bodily harm? The Illinois Criminal Code of 1961 does not specify which injuries constitute great bodily harm. The question is for the jury to decide. When defendants have been […]

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Illinois State Police can deny Firearm Owner’s Identification Card to persons convicted of domestic offenses

March 6, 2010
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Illinois requires all persons who own or purchase firearms to register for a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID card). It is a criminal offense to possess a weapon without a FOID card. The firearms owner must submit the application to the Illinois State Police, who will conduct a thorough background check to see if the […]

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What happens on a second offense of domestic battery in Illinois?

February 17, 2010
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Domestic battery enhanced is a Class 4 felony in Illinois. It is based on a prior domestic battery or violation of an order of protection.

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