Illinois criminal law divides criminal conduct into two main categories: Crimes against property and crimes against a person. If a thief broke into a home and stole money, but nobody else was home, then the thief committed an offense against property. However, if the same thief confronted someone on the street with a gun and stole their wallet, the crime is robbery and is considered an offense against a person. 

Assault and battery are both offenses against a person. Because assault and battery are often discussed in the same context, many people believe they always happen together or are the same crime. However, assault and battery are two distinct legal offenses that describe different behaviors and carry different penalties. 

What is Battery?

The crime of battery is committed when one person, without legal authority or justification, intentionally causes bodily harm to another person or makes physical contact in a way that insults or provokes the victim. Serious physical harm does not have to take place in order for someone to be successfully prosecuted with battery. A single slap, punch, or even finger poke in the chest could be considered battery. 

In an ideal world, every parent would easily be able to find the perfect balance of work and family life. In reality, however, when couples decide to have children, they must make difficult decisions about paying for childcare and earning a liveable income. Many times, couples decide that one parent will stay home to care for the children while the other parent pursues a career. 

This arrangement has its benefits and drawbacks. One potential downside is that it leaves the homemaking parent with little or no personal income. If the relationship sours and the homemaker contemplates divorce, he or she may feel trapped, unable to afford the legal representation they need, and worried about future finances. However, Illinois recognizes the important contributions homemakers make to their family and society. In addition to child support, the law offers protection by providing for several kinds of spousal maintenance (formerly known as alimony).

Types of Spousal Maintenance Available to Homemakers

• Temporary maintenance is a type of spousal maintenance that is awarded during the divorce proceedings. Spouses who need this kind of support may petition the court for temporary maintenance at the same time as they file for divorce, or they may do so after the initial filing. If awarded, this kind of maintenance helps homemakers afford divorce proceedings and avoid financial disaster during the divorce.

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Illinois is known for its attention to the juvenile justice system. It was the first state in the country to create a separate justice system for those under the age of majority. This has been extremely important, as the juvenile court system often serves as a means for rehabilitating young people who are on the wrong path. This is different from adult criminal court in that there is a belief that children have more of an opportunity for change. However, there are still some instances in which a juvenile may be tried in adult criminal court. If you or a loved one were charged with a criminal offense in Illinois, it is important to understand what you may be up against. 

Juveniles Facing Charges in Adult Criminal Court

It’s important to note that there is never a time when a juvenile is required to be transferred to adult criminal court.

Juveniles who are over 13 years of age can only be transferred to adult criminal court if the prosecution can demonstrate that doing so would be in the best interest of the juvenile or of public safety as a whole. When coming to this determination, there are a variety of factors that the judge may consider:

There are many reasons why married couples choose to divorce, including disagreements about finances or how children should be raised. However, many of the most contentious divorce cases involve infidelity. When one spouse has been unfaithful, the other spouse may experience betrayal, anger, and sadness, making it more difficult to reach agreements during the divorce process. Because infidelity can be an important part of why a marriage may be ending, spouses will want to understand whether this issue will play a role in their divorce proceedings.

Divorce and Marital Misconduct

Infidelity will be a highly consequential issue in a couple’s relationship, and because of this, spouses may expect that they will need to raise this issue during their divorce. However, there are only a few situations where this type of behavior may influence the decisions made during the divorce process. As difficult as it may be to ignore this issue, pointing out that a spouse who has cheated usually will not benefit the other spouse.

While infidelity may be a primary reason for the end of a couple’s marriage, there will be no need to mention this when filing for divorce. Illinois only recognizes “irreconcilable differences” as the grounds for divorce, so a divorce petition will only state that the couple’s marriage has broken down beyond repair. Similarly, Illinois law states that “marital misconduct” is not a factor that should be considered when dividing marital property or determining whether one party should pay spousal support to the other.

No one likes being arrested—not in Joliet and not anywhere else in the country. It can be an upsetting and frightening experience for you and for any family or friends who witness a police officer placing cuffs on you.

In light of recent police arrests across the country that have resulted in serious injury or death to the suspect being arrested, you may wonder what you should and should not do in such a situation.

Tips for a “Successful” Arrest Encounter