Category Archives: battery

WHAT IS CONTACT OF AN INSULTING OR PROVOKING NATURE IN A BATTERY?

            In Illinois, you commit battery if you knowingly, without legal justification, physically hurt another person or cause contact of an insulting or provoking nature. Battery can become an aggravated offense depending on the type of injury, victim or place … Continue reading

Posted in battery | Tagged , | Leave a comment

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “SHARE A COMMON DWELLING” UNDER ILLINOIS DOMESTIC BATTERY LAW?

Under 720 ILCS 5/12-3.3, you commit aggravated domestic battery if you knowingly cause great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement or if you strangle someone while committing a domestic battery. Domestic battery means that you caused harm to a family … Continue reading

Posted in aggravated domestic battery, battery, domestic battery | Leave a comment

WHAT IS AGGRAVATED BATTERY IN ILLINOIS?

In Illinois, you commit battery if you knowingly, without legal justification, physically hurt another person or cause contact of an offensive nature, such as by grabbing them. But that battery can be upgraded to an aggravated offense depending on the … Continue reading

Posted in aggravated battery, battery | Leave a comment

ILLINOIS CRIMINALIZES ATTACKING MERCHANTS WHO ENFORCE COVID-RELATED SAFETY RULES

As of August 7, 2020, Illinois has made it a Class 3 felony to attack any merchant who attempts to enforce COVID-related safety guidelines. The new law amends the aggravated battery statute. Section (720 ILCS 5/12-3.05(d)(12)) applies when you commit … Continue reading

Posted in aggravated battery, battery, Corona Virus, COVID | Leave a comment

ILLINOIS BATTERY TO A CHILD: WHEN DOES SPANKING GO TOO FAR?

At what point does a parent’s right to discipline his or her child turn into a felony? Under Illinois law, parents who believe in corporal punishment may use it to discipline their children as long as such punishment is necessary … Continue reading

Posted in aggravated battery, battery, child abuse, child discipline, spanking | Leave a comment

IS DRINKING TOO MUCH A DEFENSE TO A CRIME?

You had way too much to drink at the bar. Later, you were told you broke some other guy’s ribs in a fight. You are now charged with battery. Does it matter you were too drunk to know what you … Continue reading

Posted in aggravated battery, battery, intoxication defense, involuntary intoxication, voluntary intoxication | Leave a comment

DID YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WERE DOING? THE DEFINITION OF INTENTIONAL CONDUCT IN ILLINOIS

If you are charged with a crime, the state must prove all the elements of that crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Most offenses require that you had the mental intent to commit the crime. In other words, you must have … Continue reading

Posted in battery, knowingly, mens rea, resisting a peace officer | Leave a comment

“BUT I DIDN’T START IT!”: THE ILLINOIS LAW ON SELF-DEFENSE

He just came at you. To protect yourself, you pulled out a knife or maybe a gun. He turned to run away. Pumped with adrenalin, you couldn’t stop yourself from going after him. Now, he’s in the hospital, and you’re … Continue reading

Posted in aggravated battery, aggressor, assault, battery, burglary, forcible felony, self defense | Leave a comment

TAPING AN ASSAULT OR BATTERY TO BE AN AGGRAVATED OFFENSE IN ILLINOIS

As of January 1, 2014, Illinois has taken a step into modern media times by adding a video/audio component to its aggravated assault and battery laws. The changes in Illinois law upgrades assault or battery to an aggravated offense if … Continue reading

Posted in aggravated assault, aggravated battery, assault, audiotaping, battery, texting, videotaping | Leave a comment

“I HIT A COP!:” AGGRAVATED ASSAULT OR AGGRAVATED BATTERY TO AN OFFICER IN ILLINOIS

You must have been really drunk because you don’t remember what happened. But apparently, you went berserk and hit a police officer. The officer even ended up in the emergency room. Now, you are charged with aggravated battery. What is … Continue reading

Posted in aggravated assault, aggravated battery, aggravated battery of an officer, assault, battery, Class 1 Felony, class a misdemeanor, Class X Felony | Leave a comment