Chicago Domestic Violence Attorney
Not all families and individuals in relationships experience harmonious times with each other. The same can be said for those who had a previous romantic relationship with another person. There are many reasons for failed relationships, but for some, domestic violence stands out as the primary cause associated with people’s troubles or broken unions.
Domestic violence is a serious issue, as abusers may become more emboldened to continue their violent actions against their family or household members if not stopped. Even those previously linked to these abusers are unsafe from further domestic violence. Because of these facts, victims must be aware of the legal actions they can take to stop domestic violence from persisting. For those accused of committing domestic violence, knowing the law can help employ the right legal defense that can get the case dismissed or reduce a sentence.
Chicago Criminal Defense Attorneys is a trusted Chicago, IL criminal law firm that can deal with any level of domestic violence cases. Our legal experts on Chicago domestic violence cases will personalize our legal strategy to match your case and ideal outcome. They will ensure you are well-informed throughout the case so you can follow and make decisions should the hearing not go as planned. You can also trust our lawyers to be with you in every step so you have legal advice on hand as you plan your life after the case.
Call Chicago Criminal Defense Attorneys at (312) 634-6529 for your Consultation with a Chicago Domestic Violence attorney.
Understanding Domestic Violence in Illinois
In Illinois, domestic violence crimes are violent acts committed by a person against their family or household members.
These members are defined as:
- Current or previous partner or spouse
- Parents, children, stepchildren, and other people who are related to both parties by blood or by marriage
- Current or previous live-in partners
- A person with whom they have a child with
- People who are dating or engaged
- People with disabilities and their caregivers
If the person caused bodily harm to their family or household members or made physical contact in a provocative way, it is classified as domestic battery. Domestic battery can be either a Class A misdemeanor or a Class 4 felony, depending on the defendant’s criminal history and if they violated an order of protection. If the bodily harm is great and causes disfigurement or permanent disability, it will be considered aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony.
Our Chicago domestic violence lawyers at Chicago Criminal Defense Attorneys can help you understand the state’s domestic violence law and the legal process you have to face, whether you are the defendant or the petitioner of the case. We will assist you in creating the right legal strategy for your situation and quickly have the case heard in court. No matter how serious the case is, our team will represent you in court and fight for your ideal outcome.
Available Legal Protections from Violence
For victims, the fear of being followed by their abusers and subjected to further violence is justified. Some abusers, if they are charged with domestic violence, would go after their victims to force them to drop the charges in exchange for being free from further abuse. Fortunately, Illinois has several legal protections for victims of domestic violence that they can apply for once they file charges against their abusers.
Here is a short list of legal protections victims can consider:
- Civil No Contact Order – This court order requires the defendant not to assault, visit, stalk, or injure their victims in any way.
- Order of Protection – This court order prohibits the defendant from committing certain acts against their current or former partner or family member. The details of each protection order vary depending on the case’s severity and the defendant’s prior conviction.
- Stalking No Contact Order – This is the alternative to an order of protection for victims if they do not qualify for one and the defendant has a history of “stalking.” Similar to an order of protection, this court order will prevent the defendant from contacting their victims or stalking them.
If you are uncertain which legal protections are best for your situation, don’t hesitate to ask our Chicago domestic violence attorney for guidance. We will carefully assess the security needs of you and your loved ones and identify the perfect legal protections we can apply for on your behalf. Our team will also make sure the other party recognizes these protections and reports any violations once they happen.
Penalties for Domestic Violence
The penalties for domestic violence cases in Chicago will depend on the severity of the acts committed and the defendant’s previous conviction.
If it is a domestic battery case, first-time offenders will face Class A misdemeanor penalties, which include a prison sentence and fines. If the crime committed becomes a felony, they will face a longer prison sentence and hefty fines, plus other conditions the judge may add to the case. Should the defendant violate any of the legal protections availed by the victim, these penalties will also need to be served.
When we handle your domestic violence case, we will inform you about the possible penalties you may face. We will do our best to fight for a reduced sentence as much as possible and make sure you are ready to face the penalties that the court decides upon your sentence. If you commit additional offenses, we will let you know and design the legal strategy we will use to cover all these points.
Talk to Our Legal Experts Today
Domestic violence causes trauma to victims and perpetrators and must be prevented from affecting families. Don’t hesitate to contact one of our experienced criminal lawyers at Chicago Criminal Defense Attorneys to help you to build your case or defense at any time. Our experience in dealing with these cases will allow us to personalize our legal services according to your situation and fight for the ideal result as best as we can so that you can plan accordingly.
Learn more about our legal services by taking advantage of our consultation service whenever you are ready. We will connect you with one of our skilled criminal lawyers during the call to provide immediate assistance in understanding your case and developing a legal strategy.
Call Chicago Criminal Defense Attorneys at (312) 634-6529 for your Consultation with a Chicago Domestic Violence attorney.