JOLIET ASSAULT AND BATTERY DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Lawyer in Will County for Clients Charged With Violent Crimes

At Reeder & Brown, P.C., we understand that just about everyone loses their temper every now and again. You may get angry and say things that you do not really mean, and you may even threaten another person with physical harm. Most of the time, nothing comes of the situation; everyone calms down with no real damage done. In some cases, however, things may go a little too far, and you could potentially face criminal charges for assault and battery. If this has happened to you, you need a lawyer who is ready to stand up and protect your rights.

Assault and Battery Defense Counsel in Bolingbrook

The terms "assault" and "battery" are frequently used in conjunction with one another, and many people use the words interchangeably. Under the law in Illinois, they are two separate charges with distinct definitions, each of them potentially very serious. To understand the definition of assault, you must first know what constitutes battery.

The Illinois Criminal Code defines battery as physical contact with another person that inflicts bodily harm, and it also states that physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature may be considered battery. Assault, by comparison, is the placing of another person under the reasonable expectation of receiving a battery. Lunging toward a person to throw a punch, for example, may be considered assault, while landing the punch would likely be considered battery.

Aggressive Plainfield Criminal Defense Attorneys

Offenses of assault and battery may be prosecuted as misdemeanors or felonies depending on a number of factors, including the age, status, or occupation of the victim and whether a firearm was involved. The severity of the penalties may also vary, but there is no such thing as a minor charge of assault or battery.

A "simple" assault charge is usually a Class C misdemeanor. If the alleged victim was an elderly or disabled person, a teacher, a police officer, a correctional officer, or a probation officer, an offense may be considered aggravated assault may apply, and a person may face Class A misdemeanor charges. If assault allegedly involved the use of a firearm or another deadly weapon, aggravated assault may be charged as a Class 4 felony. If assault allegedly involved a motor vehicle, including firing a gun from inside a car, aggravated assault is a Class 3 felony.

"Simple" battery involving physical contact or bodily harm may be charged as a Class A misdemeanor. However, a charge may be elevated to aggravated battery if it allegedly involved great bodily harm or permanent disfigurement or if the alleged victim was an elderly person, someone with a physical disability, a teacher or school employee, a police officer or first responder, a taxi driver or transit employee, or a nurse. The use of a firearm will also usually result in aggravated battery charges. In most cases, aggravated battery is charged as a Class 3 felony, although more serious felony charges may apply in some cases.

The experienced attorneys at Reeder & Brown, P.C. realize that there are at least two sides to every story, and we will listen carefully to you. We are prepared to investigate the circumstances of your arrest, and we will work to find any and all information that can be used in building your defense. With our aggressive yet responsible approach, we recognize that in certain situations, it may be appropriate to negotiate with prosecutors to limit the impact on your future. In others, a full jury trial may be necessary, and we are equipped to take your case into the courtroom and defend your rights.

Contact Our Joliet Assault and Battery Lawyers

If you are facing charges of assault, battery, or any other violent crime, contact our office immediately. Call 815-885-5980 for a free, confidential consultation with Reeder & Brown, P.C. Our firm is proud to represent clients in and around Joliet, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Mokena, Romeoville, Crest Hill, and the rest of Will County.