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Is Domestic Battery a Felony?
A personal argument between you and a loved one may have gotten out of hand, and the next thing you know, you’ve been arrested. But could you be facing felony charges for this?
Even a misdemeanor conviction can hurt your future, which is where the criminal defense lawyers at Chicago Trusted Attorneys™ come in. We want to help you avoid the harsh penalties you may face if you’ve been accused of domestic battery so you can get your life back to normal as soon as possible.
Severity of Domestic Battery Charges
When you’re charged with domestic battery, you’re typically charged with a Class A misdemeanor. Without aggravating factors, or details that worsen the severity of the case, you may only face penalties for a misdemeanor. But it only takes a few factors to turn a misdemeanor into a Class 4 felony or worse.
In Illinois, domestic battery may be a felony if you have prior convictions for a crime against another person, such as sexual assault, kidnapping, or battery. Likewise, the penalties you can face for the charges may be more severe for aggravating factors like the presence of a minor or the use of a firearm. It only takes one of these factors to leave you with felony charges.
Penalties for Domestic Battery
If you are accused of a felony, it can haunt you for a lifetime. A felony domestic battery conviction can hurt your future even after you’ve paid your debts for a conviction. Worse, you may have trouble avoiding a conviction without a lawyer’s help.
After a conviction, you’ll be sentenced to jail or prison time. For a Class 4 felony, you may face between one and three years of prison time, along with your fines for the conviction. That means you may have years away from your family and out of the workforce.
Your situation may not improve once you’re out of prison. Your criminal record may impact where you’re able to work and live, for example. A domestic battery conviction may even be used against you in court if you’re seeking custody of your children.
Face Your Domestic Battery Charges with a Lawyer
When you’re accused of a serious crime like domestic battery, you may not always face felony charges—but that doesn’t mean you should accept the penalties. You may have grounds to fight back with a lawyer from Chicago Trusted Attorneys™. If you’re facing domestic battery charges, seek help from a lawyer by calling 312-519-3171 or filling out the online contact form for a consultation.