domestic violence

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

August 18, 2022
Thumbnail image for What happens on a second offense of domestic battery in Illinois?

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 […]

Read the full article

How Do I Get an Order of Protection Against Someone in Illinois?

June 14, 2022
Thumbnail image for How Do I Get an Order of Protection Against Someone in Illinois?

This article explains the process in Illinois of applying for a plenary order of protection, which is a two-year order prohibiting contact between family or household members.

Read the full article

Having contact with victim in domestic battery is a crime

July 15, 2021
Thumbnail image for Having contact with victim in domestic battery is a crime

NOTE: This page includes new information to account for the passage of Public Act 101-223 (effective January 1, 2020) and Public Act 101-651 (effective August 7, 2020). Since the aforementioned effective dates, Illinois law features new conditions for aggravated battery, which can be considered a previous conviction in domestic battery cases. Domestic battery arrest After […]

Read the full article

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

July 8, 2021
Thumbnail image for Choking or strangling a person during domestic battery is now a felony in Illinois

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 […]

Read the full article

Two types of domestic battery and penalties

June 25, 2021
Thumbnail image for Two types of domestic battery and penalties

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 […]

Read the full article

Will I lose my FOID card because of an order of protection?

April 6, 2020
Thumbnail image for Will I lose my FOID card because of an order of protection?

NOTE: The following entry features revised content to reflect Public Acts 100-607 and 100-906. When these acts became effective on January 1, 2019, there were numerous changes to the Illinois laws governing the denial, suspension, and revocation of firearm ownership rights. The State of Illinois has stringent regulations on the right to possess firearms when […]

Read the full article

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

February 4, 2020
Thumbnail image for Why was I arrested for domestic battery when the victim refused to sign a complaint?

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 […]

Read the full article

What is domestic battery under Illinois law?

January 17, 2020
Thumbnail image for What is domestic battery under Illinois law?

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

Read the full article

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

February 17, 2010
Thumbnail image for What happens on a second offense of domestic battery in Illinois?

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.

Read the full article