Illinois law makes domestic violence a serious crime that carries severe consequences. A domestic battery conviction can affect the defendant’s life long after the legal proceedings have ended. Therefore, it is important to understand domestic violence charges and their penalties, along with the factors that determine whether a domestic battery charge will be treated as a misdemeanor or a felony.
This article will discuss how Illinois law defines domestic battery and the penalties for such an offense. If you have been accused of domestic violence, contact an Illinois domestic battery defense attorney right away to begin building your defense.
What Is Domestic Battery?
According to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, domestic battery does not need to be physical violence for it to be a crime. The following actions can also constitute domestic battery: