What Are The Penalties For Aggravated Battery In Illinois?

What Are The Penalties For Aggravated Battery In Illinois?

In Illinois, a prosecutor can charge you with aggravated battery if you physically contact someone because you want to insult, injure, or provoke them. In many cases, battery is a misdemeanor, but it also can be treated as a felony based on certain circumstances.

In this post, you will learn about penalties for aggravated battery and more. If you need a dedicated, proven defense attorney who will tirelessly fight for your rights, look no further than our Palos Heights battery defense lawyer at Michael D. Ettinger & Associates.

What Is Aggravated Battery?

Illinois law states that aggravated battery has occurred when, in committing a battery, other than by firing a gun, they knowingly engage in any of these:

• Causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement.
• Causes permanent or severe disability, great bodily harm, or disfigurement with a flammable substance, poisonous gas, chemical or biological agents or contaminants, or a bomb or explosive compound.
• Causes great bodily harm or permanent disfigurement or disability to someone they know is a peace officer, policing volunteer, firefighter, private security professional, or correctional institution worker.

You also could be charged with aggravated battery for using a deadly weapon against someone or trying to harm a pregnant woman or a person 60 or older.

Punishments For Aggravated Battery

The penalty for aggravated battery differs based on the case circumstances. Simple battery is usually a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison, a fine of up to $2,500, and up to two years probation.

However, aggravated battery is a Class 3 felony; in some cases, it can be charged as a Class 2, Class 1, or Class X felony. If it is charged as a Class 3 felony, the punishment can be two to five years in prison, plus fines.

What Are The Consequences Of An Aggravated Battery Charge?

Unfortunately, an aggravated battery charge will remain on your record even if you complete your sentence. You would need legal assistance to get the charge removed from your record. Until you do, the charge will affect your ability to get and keep a job, where you can live, and even being able to go to college.

Also, you could face years of probation. While that outcome is preferable to being behind bars, probation still can be a stressful, confining experience. You might feel like every movement could put you back in jail, and if you slip up once, your probation could be revoked.

However, the Palos Heights battery defense lawyers at Michael D. Ettinger & Associates have the knowledge and experience to devise an effective defense for your case, possibly leading to a charge reduction or even a dismissal. Some common defenses to an aggravated battery charge are acting in self-defense and being unaware that your actions would cause harm.

Our Palos Heights Battery Defense Lawyer Can Help

Michael D. Ettinger & Associates is one of the state’s best criminal defense law firms. If you face a criminal charge, such as aggravated battery, rest assured that you will receive a robust defense. The first step to putting this case behind you is to contact our experienced Palos Heights battery defense attorneys at (708) 923-0368.