Understanding Assault and Battery Charges

Assault and battery criminal charges in Illinois carry a wide range of potentially life-altering penalties. Possible charges range from misdemeanor charges punishable by less than a year in jail up to felony charges for Aggravated Battery with far more serious penalties. Additionally, great care is necessary by a competent and experienced Illinois criminal defense lawyer because the complaining witness may want to sue civilly, and if you're not careful, you may face legal battles that range far beyond the criminal context.  

If you face assault and battery charges in Chicago area courts, we can help. The Chicago criminal lawyers of Fagan, Fagan & Davis have been providing criminal defense services since the early '80s, and are very experienced in defending misdemeanor and felony assault and battery charges. We can ensure your rights are protected at all times and that your charges are aggressively defended both in and out of court.

What's the difference between the two charges?

The terms assault and battery are commonly used together to describe a specific type of criminal charge. Although these crimes are similar in nature, they are separate charges. A person will be charged with assault in Illinois when he or she "engages in conduct which places another person in reasonable apprehension of receiving battery." A person will be charged with battery in Illinois when he or she "intentionally or knowingly without legal justification and by any means:

• causes bodily harm to an individual or

• makes physical contact of insulting or provoking nature with an individual."
  

Types of Offenses

These charges can be made against an individual in a variety of circumstances and can include various alleged offenses, such as:

• Criminal Sexual Assault

• Sexual Battery

• Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon

• Aggravated Battery with a deadly weapon

• Assault or battery of a police officer

• Gang-related assault and battery

• Assault against a child, disabled or elderly person

• Aggravated battery against a child, disabled or elderly person

• Domestic violence
  

If you are found guilty of assault & battery, you face charges that may follow you throughout the remainder of your lifetime. Don't sit back and let that happen by default. When the stakes are this high, the only way to protect your rights and freedom is to retain the services of an experienced Chicago criminal defense lawyer. At Fagan, Fagan & Davis, you can rest assured that you'll receive the dedicated service, attention and defense you need to effectively fight your charges and significantly reduce your chances of a conviction!