Felonies and Misdemeanors in Illinois

 Posted on June 20,2024 in Criminal Defense

It can be confusing trying to understand the different ways a crime might be charged and punished in Illinois. Some crimes are charged as ordinance violations, misdemeanors, or felonies. Some charges are categorized by type, for example, drug crimes, traffic crimes, crimes against a person, and crimes against property. Each type of charge has its own set of penalties. This article will review various types of misdemeanors and felonies. If you are interested in learning more, speak with a knowledgeable Chicago, IL criminal defense lawyer.

Categorized by Severity of Crime

One of the ways that crimes can be categorized in Illinois is by how severe they are. Generally speaking, this type of categorization generally includes felonies and misdemeanors.

 Less severe crimes tend to be charged as misdemeanors, which can include driving under the influence (DUI), shoplifting, drug possession, assault, and battery. A crime under this category is classified as a Class A, B, or C Misdemeanor, with A being the most severe and C being the least. Misdemeanors can be punished with steep fines and up to a year in prison.

 More severe crimes tend to be charged as felonies, which can carry significant prison sentences and fines up to $25,000. Felonies are classified as follows, in order from least to most severe:

• Class 4: Crimes like obstructing justice, sexual abuse, identity theft up to $300, and drug possession can be charged as a Class 4 felony, which comes with a sentence of over a year in prison.
• Class 3: Crimes like involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery, and identity theft of $300-$2,000 can be charged as a Class 3 felony, which carries a sentence of two to five years in prison.
• Class 2: Crimes such as robbery, burglary, arson, and identity theft of $2,000-$10,000 can be charged as a Class 2 felony, with a prison sentence of three to seven years.
• Class 1: Crimes such as aggravated robbery, drug trafficking, second-degree murder, and identity theft of $10,000-$100,000 can be charged as a Class 1 felony, with a prison sentence of four to 15 years.
• Class X: The most serious class of felonies, these would include crimes like large-scale drug possession, aggravated arson, armed robbery, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, first-degree murder, and identity theft of over $100,000, and can be sentenced with six to thirty years in prison.

Contact a Cook County, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

No matter what you are charged with, it is crucial to have an accomplished and aggressive Chicago, IL defense lawyer by your side. At Law Offices of James F. DiQuattro, we are dedicated to building a strong defense for our clients and protecting their rights. Call us at 312-627-9482 to schedule a free consultation.