If you are facing assault charges, or a member of your family has been accused of assault and battery or assault with a deadly weapon, contact Illinois assault and battery defense lawyer Jonathan Minkus who will provide you with the strongest possible defense.
With more than 33 years of aggressive criminal defense and skilled courtroom litigation experience, Chicago lawyer Jonathan Minkus tirelessly defends individuals charged with:
Illinois law defines Assault (720 ILCS 5/12-1) as the act of unreasonably placing another person in apprehension of an imminent battery. An example of assault would be a person attempting punch another person in the stomach, even if he or she misses. Physical contact does not need to made—assault occurs if one person makes another person reasonably believe they are about to be struck.
In Illinois, Battery, (720 ILCS 5/12-3) is considered to be a separate crime. Battery is the act of knowingly causing physical harm to another person or making contact with that person that in a way that is either provoking or insulting.
Domestic battery, (720 ILCS 5/12-3.2), is battery committed against a family or any household member, which includes any person living in a household. While domestic battery is generally a misdemeanor offense, it is considered more serious than straightforward battery charges because if you are convicted of domestic battery, that conviction can not be removed from your record.
Assault and battery are misdemeanor offenses that carry a maximum sentence of up to 364 days in the county jail. However, Illinois law offers numerous reasons for assault and battery charges to be elevated to felony offenses, which carry the possibility of lengthy prison sentences
If you are charged with assault or battery, it is vital to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney. With 33 years of criminal defense experience, Senior Partner Jonathan Minkus has the knowledge of Illinois’ criminal laws to offer the best defense in your matter.
Depending on the circumstances of your alleged offense, you may be charged with Aggravated Battery, which is a felony and may carry a significantly harsher sentence. The following situations may involved Aggravated Battery in the state of Illinois:
Battery was carried out against a police officer, public aid employee, teacher or other school employee, senior citizen, child, pregnant woman, physically disabled person or other protected class
Heinous Battery (720 ILCS 5/12-4.1) is a Class X felony with a conviction resulting in no less than 6 years of prison. A person who, in committing battery, knowingly causes severe and permanent disability, great bodily harm or disfigurement with a caustic or flammable substance, a poisonous gas, a deadly biological or chemical contaminant, a radioactive substance, or a bomb or explosive commits heinous battery.
Aggravated battery offenses are treated very seriously by Chicago and suburban police, county prosecutors and judges. A conviction may result in significant fines and prison time, terrible consequences to your personal life, and difficulties finding future employment.
Contact the Law Offices of Jonathan Minkus at (847) 966-0300 immediately if you or a loved one is charged with assault or battery or aggravated battery in Chicago or other Illinois locations.
Mr. Minkus offers the skilled and experienced criminal defense you need to have charges dismissed or reduced and sentences minimized. Unlike large defense firms, you will not be defended in court by an unseasoned lawyer. Mr. Minkus personally handles client cases from start to finish.
Contact our Chicago or Skokie office today and start building your defense.
Senior Partner Jonathan Minkus has successfully defended individuals charged with every conceivable criminal offense, from traffic misdemeanors to death-penalty eligible homicides.