Domestic Violence: Civil Ramifications And Criminal Penalties

The state of Illinois takes domestic violence very seriously. A domestic violence conviction in Illinois can lead to civil ramifications, alongside severe criminal penalties that can affect the remainder of your life.

Going over the civil ramifications and criminal penalties of domestic violence while speaking with an experienced Chicago criminal defense attorney will help you obtain the best possible legal outcome.

What Is Domestic Violence?

In the state of Illinois, domestic violence is defined as: hitting, choking, kicking, threatening, harassing, or interfering with the personal liberty, in any way, of a family member or household member.

A “family member” or “household member” is defined as the following:

1. Someone you are related to by blood.
2. A person you are/were married to.
3. Someone you share/used to share a home with.
4. A person you share a child with.
5. Someone you are dating/engaged to.
6. A person with a disability and their assistant.

Just as an example, if you live with your girlfriend and she calls the police and tells them you punched her, you would be charged under the laws that govern domestic violence in the state of Illinois.

What Are The Civil Ramifications Of Domestic Violence?

The civil ramifications of domestic violence tend to be as follows: any medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering caused by an alleged act of domestic violence may need to be compensated for by the alleged perpetrator.

A good example of the above is as follows: if you live with your husband and he accuses you of breaking his leg, you may need to pay his medical expenses and the wages he lost at work due to taking time off.

Outside of the immediate financial ramifications of domestic violence, accusations of domestic violence can lead to an order of protection. This order of protection will force you to stay away from your accuser.

Being forced to stay away from your accuser can make it very difficult for you to see your kids, live in the home you own, or engage in your profession, among several other possibilities.

What Are The Criminal Penalties Of Domestic Violence?

The main criminal penalty for domestic violence in Illinois is as follows: you can spend up to one year in jail and be hit with a fine of no more than $2,500.

You can spend up to ten days in jail or be forced to perform 300 hours of community service if the act of domestic violence you allegedly committed occurred in front of a child.

If you have already been convicted of domestic violence at least once, you could spend no more than three years in prison while also being forced to pay a fine of no more than $25,000.

In the event that you have three or more prior convictions for domestic violence, you could spend even more time in prison. The fine will always remain no more than $25,000.

One thing to note about “prior convictions for domestic violence” is that these can encompass violating an order of protection or stalking someone, along with a prior conviction for domestic battery.

Get Qualified Legal Help Today

If you need representation for a criminal charge, Glasgow & Olsson is uniquely qualified to help you.

Our team has helped thousands of people who have been charged with crimes in Illinois. When we take cases, we do so to win. This means we take cases to trial. We don’t arrange plea bargains unless it is in the best interest of our clients. As proactive lawyers, we fight aggressively and support our clients throughout their entire case up to and including appeals. Protecting your life and freedom is always the goal, and with our decades of experience practicing law, we know how to get results. This is why we are regularly invited to appear as a legal contributor on popular radio and news outlets, including ABC, CNN, NBC, CBS, and Fox NEWS.

When you need an attorney, experience matters.

Speak with an Illinois criminal defense attorney today to learn how our experience can get you the results you deserve.