Chicago Criminal Defense Felony Lawyer Explains What a Felony in Illinois Is.

In Illinois, felonies are the most serious crimes. Therefore, Illinois law prescribes harsher penalties for people guilty of felonies. As a result, felonies carry with them huge fines along with potential sentences in state prisons of one year or more. On the contrary, misdemeanors are punishable by less than a year in county jail. In fact, Illinois law divides felonies into 4 classes. Additionally, there is a special group for the most serious felonies – Class X. For example, the Illinois legislature determined that the offense of armed robbery is a Class X felony. Consequently, Chicago Criminal Defense Felony Lawyer warns that potential sentence will depend on what class of felony your offense belongs to. Moreover, any felony conviction on your record will have severe collateral consequences. Thus, you need to call Chicago Criminal Defense Felony Lawyer Tikhvinskiy to consult how to avoid that at all cost!

Class X Felonies.

First, Class X felonies are the most serious class of criminal offenses in Illinois. Thus, Illinois law punishes a person guilty of Class X Felony by 6-30 years with the Illinois Department of Corrections. Moreover, under 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-25(d), probation or conditional discharge is not possible for Class X Felonies. As a result, even a first-time offender, if convicted, will spend at least 6 years in prison. Next, if certain aggravating factors are present, the judge can impose extended terms of a prison sentence. In that case, a person could spend from 30 to 60 years in prison. Additionally, the law sets the maximum fine of $25,000 for Class X Felonies. Chicago Criminal Defense Felony Lawyer gives the following examples of Class X Felonies in Illinois are Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault, Armed Robbery, Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child, and Aggravated Kidnapping.

Class 1 Felonies.

Next, the second most serious class of felonies is the Class 1 Felony. According to 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-30, Illinois statue punished people convicted of Class 1 Felonies by 4-15 years in prison (15-30 years for an extended term). Additionally, a judge may impose a fine of up to $25,000. Examples of Class 1 felonies in Illinois are Residential Burglary, Aggravated Robbery, Theft Exceeding $10,000 in Value, and Criminal Sexual Assault. Generally, probation is possible for Class 1 Felonies. However, Chicago Criminal Defense Felony Lawyer warns that some Class 1 Felony Offenses carry mandatory prions sentences.

Class 2 Felonies.

Third, Illinois law determines the sentence of 3-7 years in prison for people guilty of Class 2 felonies. Further, under certain conditions, a judge can impose extended terms of prison sense from 7 to 14 years. Next, fines for Class 2 Felonies could reach $25,000. Under 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-35, probation is possible for Class 2 felonies. At the same time, some Class 2 felonies require mandatory jail sentences. Chicago Criminal Defense Felony Lawyer provides the following examples of Class 2 felonies in Illinois. First, Aggravated Domestic Battery. Second, Burglary. Third, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. Fourth, Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

Class 3 Felonies.

According to 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-40, Class 3 Felonies are punishable by 2-5 years in prison and 5-10 years in prison for an extended term. Next, a person who is guilty of a Class 3 Felony could pay a fine up to $25,000. At the same time, the good news is that probation is possible for Class 3 Felonies. In Illinois, examples of Class 3 Felony offenses are Aggravated Battery and Perjury.

Class 4 Felonies.

Under 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-45, a conviction for a Class 4 Felony comes with a prison sentence of between 1 and 3 years in prison (3-6 years for an extended term). Additionally, there could be a fine of up to $25,000. For example, Aggravated DUIs or Aggravated Driving on Revoked are Class 4 Felonies. Obviously, the Class 4 Felony is the least serious type of felony in Illinois. However, even Class 4 Felony will have an extremely negative impact on your life. Therefore, you need to call Chicago Criminal Defense Felony Lawyer Tikhvinskiy to discuss options on how to fight your criminal case. First consultation is always free and 100% confidential. Call now at (312) 583-7345!