Violence is all too common in Chicago. The city is known for having constant struggles with violent crime, often including a disproportionate amount of homicides and shootings. Attempts to crack down on violent offenses are underway - and you do not want to get caught in a wave of prosecutions against those accused of committing them. If you have been charged with an assaultive offense, it is important that you understand what your particular charge actually means. You may find that your charges seem incredibly aggressive or are far too severe in regards to what actually happened. In many cases, an attorney can have very serious felony charges reduced to something much less serious during the process of plea bargaining. But first, you need to know exactly what it is you are accused of doing.
What are Battery and Aggravated Battery?
Battery or aggravated battery - The basic definition of battery in Illinois is making unjustified physical contact with a person that either causes them bodily harm or is insulting and likely to provoke them. In its misdemeanor form, battery could include actions like slapping or pushing someone.
Aggravated battery is much more serious. It is a felony. This offense is charged when a battery is committed and an aggravating circumstance exists, such as:
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