More Than 105 Combined Years Of Experience At Your Side In Illinois

Wheaton Attorneys Defending Those Accused of Assault and Battery

​Allegations of assault or battery can have an extremely detrimental impact on an individual’s life. A criminal record for either of these offenses can impact many areas of your life permanently. If you are facing charges of assault or battery in Illinois, you should reach out to a skilled attorney who can help you avoid the penalties that come with a conviction for these offenses. At Beck & Houlihan, P.C., our team is prepared to provide you with an aggressive defense today. Our attorneys provide skilled representation for criminal defense matters and will build a strong case on your behalf.

​What Constitutes Assault?

Under 720 ILCS 5/12-1, a person commits assault if they engage in conduct that places another person in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery. Physical contact with the other person is not necessary; for example, threatening to hit someone can constitute assault. In Illinois, assault is a Class C misdemeanor and, upon conviction, carries a mandatory sentence of between 30 and 120 community service hours. In Illinois, the charge of assault can become aggravated assault depending upon the location where the conduct takes place or the status of the victim. A person commits aggravated assault when it is committed in one of the following situations:

  • In a public place
  • With the knowledge that the victim is physically handicapped or 60 years or older (and the assault is without legal justification)
  • Against a teacher or school employee upon school grounds, grounds adjacent to a school, or in any building used for school purposes
  • In a variety of other ways that are codified in Illinois law

Anyone guilty of assault can also potentially face civil charges for any injuries asserted by the victim of the assault, necessitating the need for an experienced criminal defense attorney to provide representation.

Battery Criminal Charges

Under 720 ILCS 5/12-3, a person commits battery if they knowingly, without legal justification, cause bodily harm to someone else or make physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with an individual (such as pushing, touching, or spitting on them). A charge of aggravated battery depends upon the injury inflicted, such as causing:

  • Great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Severe and permanent disability, great bodily harm, or disfigurement by means of specific substances
  • Great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to a known officer, community policing volunteer, fireman, private security officer, correctional institution employee, or Department of Human Services employee performing or in connection with their official duties
  • Other types of injuries under Illinois law

An individual can also be charged with aggravated battery when they commit battery:

  • On public property
  • With the knowledge that the other person is 60 years old or older; pregnant; physically handicapped; or has a number of other attributes
  • By knowingly discharging a firearm and causing an injury

​Aggravated battery can be a Class 1 felony when the battery is intentional and involves the infliction of torture.

Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer in DuPage County

​​The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Beck & Houlihan, P.C., are prepared to handle a variety of criminal charges that may be brought against you in Illinois. Contact our attorneys in Wheaton at 630-398-3185 if you have been charged with assault or battery. We serve clients in DuPage and Will counties and the surrounding areas.