Chicago Battery Attorneys

Defending Clients from Serious Criminal Accusations

If you’re facing battery charges in Illinois, it’s important to seek legal advice from an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. This is because a battery conviction can lead to jail time, fines, and other severe penalties that you shouldn’t have to deal with, especially if you did not commit the crime as charged. Fortunately, you can rely on Abdallah Law to provide the quality legal representation you need for your Illinois battery case.

When you contact our Chicago law office to discuss your criminal case, you can speak with a skilled attorney who realizes just how important it is for you to keep your criminal record free of assault and battery charges. If you’re ready to talk to criminal defense lawyers who are dedicated to creating the best strategy for your case, contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.

How Does Illinois Law Define Battery?

If you were charged with battery in this state, this means you are being accused of intentionally or knowingly causing bodily harm to the alleged victim or making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature without legal justification. Most battery cases involve the aggressor making physical contact with the victim, with common examples of this being punching, kicking, pushing, slapping, pulling hair, and strangling.

That being said, it is possible to be charged with battery without coming into direct contact with the victim, as long as there’s evidence you caused them harm. Some examples of battery without direct physical contact include spitting on someone, throwing a drink in their face, and pouring a bucket of water on them. If it’s apparent that your actions were meant to provoke or cause someone bodily harm without legal justification, you could be arrested for battery in Illinois.

Depending on your specific actions, you could be facing either a misdemeanor or a felony, so you should expect harsh penalties if convicted. If you want the chance to avoid jail time and fines, you should call a Chicago criminal defense lawyer who has helped many clients overcome assault and battery charges in Cook County. Call our trusted Illinois law firm today for a free case review with caring lawyers.

What Are the Types of Battery Offenses in Illinois?

There are a few types of battery offenses you could be accused of, depending on the circumstances of your case. There is simple battery, in which you knowingly and without legal justification cause someone bodily harm or make physical contact to provoke or insult them. This is a Class A misdemeanor in this state.

Certain aggravating factors in your case could push your offense into the aggravated battery category. This accuses you of intentionally or knowingly causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to the victim.

Additionally, you could be charged with aggravated battery if you used a deadly weapon other than by discharge, or if you committed battery against someone in a protected class – such as a police officer, medical personnel, correction officer, senior citizen, pregnant woman, disabled person, or school employees. Aggravated battery charges can be considered Class 2, Class 1, or Class X felony offenses, depending on who the victim was and what degree of physical harm you caused them.

Another battery charge in Illinois is domestic battery, which means you’re accused of intentionally causing bodily harm or making direct physical contact with a family member or household member. This is typically a Class A misdemeanor.

However, it could escalate to aggravated domestic battery if your actual physical contact caused serious physical harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to your family member or household member. This is also the case if you strangled them during the domestic battery incident. Aggravated domestic battery is a Class 2 felony.

It’s important to remember that criminal battery is a serious offense that can result in time in jail or prison, depending on whether the crime is charged as a felony or misdemeanor. This is why it’s crucial to hire a criminal defense attorney who will aggressively defend you from these charges. A skilled criminal defense attorney will create a defense strategy based on the unique circumstances of your case. This could mean proving you have an alibi and couldn’t have committed the crime or strategizing an affirmative defense that justifies your actions, such as self-defense. Contact our Illinois law offices today to learn how we can defend you from simple or aggravated battery charges.

What Are the Penalties for Battery Charges?

If you’re convicted of battery in Illinois, your criminal penalties will depend on your specific charge. Simple battery is a misdemeanor that can lead to up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. You might also face community service, probation, and other consequences that the judge believes are appropriate.

If you’re accused of committing aggravated battery, your penalties will depend on how the prosecuting attorney decides to charge you. If you’re facing a Class 2 felony, your punishment could include 3 to 7 years of prison time and fines up to $25,000. If your aggravated battery offense is a Class 1 felony, you’ll face 4 to 15 years in prison, while a Class X felony could result in 6 to 30 years of prison time.

Aside from these criminal penalties, you could also be held liable for the victim’s financial losses, as they can bring a civil lawsuit against you. This is meant to compensate them for any money they had to spend as a victim of assault and battery, such as medical bills, property damage, therapy, and lost wages.

If you’re worried about the potential penalties you face – which could include significant fines, a jail sentence, and a civil lawsuit – you should hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you avoid a battery conviction. At our Chicago law firm, our team has worked hard to help countless clients get their charges dropped or reduced, or at least avoid the maximum sentence. Call us for a thorough case review today.

Why Should You Hire Chicago Battery Attorneys for Your Case?

Criminal battery is a serious crime that can require you to spend time in the county jail or even prison if you’re convicted. If you’re hoping to prevent this outcome, let our skilled lawyers carefully review your case and develop a strategic defense angle, such as using video evidence to prove your alibi or showing that you acted in self-defense.

Depending on the details – such as the specific charge, your criminal history, and the evidence in the prosecution’s case – we will work hard to help you get a not-guilty verdict or at least a more lenient sentence. If you’re ready to prove that you’re not guilty of committing the crime you were charged with, we urge you to call our Chicago office today. We understand the importance of clearing your name when it comes to serious criminal charges involving assault, battery, domestic battery, and more. That’s why you can count on us to aggressively defend you in court from start to finish. Please call 312-300-2028 to learn more about what our trusted lawyers can do for you.