Illinois Criminal Charges Guide

Every criminal charge in Illinois carries different penalties, procedures, and defense strategies.

Whether you're facing a misdemeanor or felony, understanding your specific charge is the first step to protecting your future. We've created detailed guides for every criminal charge we defend—explaining what you're facing, what happens next, and how to fight back. These guides are written by attorneys with 40+ years of prosecutor, judge, and defense experience, giving you insights others can't provide.

Find your charge below to get the answers you need right now.

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DUI Offenses

DUI charges carry serious consequences including license suspension, jail time, and permanent criminal records.

• First-Time DUI (625 ILCS 5/11-501) – Standard .08 BAC charges and penalties
• Aggravated DUI (625 ILCS 5/11-501.2) – High BAC, accidents, or child passengers
• Felony DUI – Class 4, 3, 2, or X felony for multiple offenses
• CDL DUI (625 ILCS 5/6-514) – Commercial driver violations and career impacts
• Drug DUI (625 ILCS 5/11-501(a)(4)) – Cannabis and prescription medication DUIs
• Underage DUI (625 ILCS 5/11-501.8) – Zero tolerance violations for drivers under 21
• DUI with Accident (625 ILCS 5/11-501) – DUI involving property damage or injury
• High BAC DUI (625 ILCS 5/11-501.2) – BAC of .16 or higher

Traffic Violations

Traffic violations can result in fines, license suspension, and increased insurance rates that affect your daily life.

• Speeding Violations (625 ILCS 5/11-601) – Speed limit violations and penalties
• Reckless Driving (625 ILCS 5/11-503) – Aggressive or dangerous driving charges
• Red Light Violations (625 ILCS 5/11-306) – Traffic signal violations
• Stop Sign Violations (625 ILCS 5/11-1204) – Failure to stop violations
• Improper Lane Usage (625 ILCS 5/11-709) – Lane change and usage violations
• Following Too Closely (625 ILCS 5/11-710) – Tailgating violations
• Failure to Yield (625 ILCS 5/11-702) – Right of way violations
• Driving on Suspended License (625 ILCS 5/6-303) – Violations during suspension
• No Valid Driver's License (625 ILCS 5/6-101) – License requirement violations
• No Insurance (625 ILCS 5/3-707) – Insurance requirement violations

Weapon Crimes

Weapon charges can result in felony convictions, prison sentences, and permanent loss of firearms rights.

• Unlawful Use of Weapons (UUW) (720 ILCS 5/24-1) – Basic weapons violations
• Aggravated UUW (720 ILCS 5/24-1.6) – Enhanced weapons charges
• Concealed Carry Violations (430 ILCS 66/) – CCL permit violations
• FOID Card Violations (430 ILCS 65/) – Firearm owner identification violations
• Unlawful Possession by Felon (720 ILCS 5/24-1.1) – Prohibited person possession
• Weapons in School Zone (720 ILCS 5/24-1) – Enhanced penalties near schools
• Armed Violence (720 ILCS 5/33A-2) – Weapons during commission of crime
• Defaced Serial Numbers (720 ILCS 5/24-5) – Altered firearm identification

Property Crimes

Property crime convictions can result in jail time, restitution, and a permanent criminal record affecting employment.

• Retail Theft (720 ILCS 5/16-25) – Shoplifting under and over $300
• Theft (720 ILCS 5/16-1) – Misdemeanor and felony levels by value
• Burglary (720 ILCS 5/19-1) – Unlawful entry with intent
• Residential Burglary (720 ILCS 5/19-3) – Class 1 felony
• Criminal Damage to Property (720 ILCS 5/21-1) – Vandalism charges
• Identity Theft (720 ILCS 5/16-30) – Using another's personal information
• Criminal Trespass (720 ILCS 5/21-3) – Unlawful entry to property
• Forgery (720 ILCS 5/17-3) – False document creation
• Theft by Deception (720 ILCS 5/16-1) – Fraud and false pretenses
• Embezzlement (720 ILCS 5/16-1.3) – Fiduciary theft

Drug Crimes

Drug charges in Illinois range from minor possession to serious trafficking felonies with mandatory prison sentences.

• Cannabis Possession (720 ILCS 550/4) – Amounts over 30 grams
• Cocaine Possession (720 ILCS 570/402) – Class 4 felony and higher
• Heroin Possession (720 ILCS 570/402) – Penalties and treatment options
• Methamphetamine Possession (720 ILCS 646/60) – Enhanced penalties
• Prescription Drug Crimes (720 ILCS 570/406) – Illegal possession without prescription
• Drug Distribution (720 ILCS 570/401) – Delivery and intent to distribute
• Drug Trafficking (720 ILCS 570/401.1) – Large-scale distribution charges
• School Zone Violations (720 ILCS 570/407) – Enhanced penalties within 1,000 feet

Violent Crimes

Violent crime allegations carry severe penalties and require aggressive defense strategies to protect your freedom.

• Assault (720 ILCS 5/12-1) – Threat of physical harm
• Battery (720 ILCS 5/12-3) – Unlawful physical contact
• Aggravated Battery (720 ILCS 5/12-3.05) – Enhanced battery charges
• Robbery (720 ILCS 5/18-1) – Taking property by force
• Armed Robbery (720 ILCS 5/18-2) – Robbery with dangerous weapon
• Homicide (720 ILCS 5/9-1) – First and second degree murder
• Attempted Murder (720 ILCS 5/8-4) – Intent to kill charges
• Aggravated Assault (720 ILCS 5/12-2) – Enhanced assault with weapon
• Kidnapping (720 ILCS 5/10-1) – Unlawful restraint and confinement
• Stalking (720 ILCS 5/12-7.3) – Harassment and intimidation

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence charges require immediate action to protect your rights, reputation, and family relationships.

• Domestic Battery (720 ILCS 5/12-3.2) – Violence against household members
• Aggravated Domestic Battery (720 ILCS 5/12-3.3) – Enhanced domestic violence
• Violation of Order of Protection (720 ILCS 5/12-30) – Restraining order violations
• Domestic Stalking (720 ILCS 5/12-7.3) – Harassment of family members
• Harassment by Telephone (720 ILCS 5/26.5-3) – Threatening communications
• Cyberstalking (720 ILCS 5/12-7.5) – Electronic harassment and threats
• Criminal Trespass to Residence (720 ILCS 5/21-3) – Unlawful entry to family home
• Intimidation (720 ILCS 5/12-6) – Threats against domestic partners

Sex Crimes

Sex crime allegations require immediate action to protect your reputation, freedom, and future registration requirements.

• Criminal Sexual Assault (720 ILCS 5/11-1.20) – Class 1 felony
• Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault (720 ILCS 5/11-1.30) – Class X felony
• Criminal Sexual Abuse (720 ILCS 5/11-1.50) – Sexual conduct by force
• Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (720 ILCS 5/11-1.60) – Enhanced sexual abuse
• Child Pornography (720 ILCS 5/11-20.1) – Possession and distribution
• Solicitation (720 ILCS 5/11-14.1) – Prostitution-related charges
• Public Indecency (720 ILCS 5/11-30) – Exposure charges
• Failure to Register (730 ILCS 150/10) – Sex offender registration violations

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Can't find your specific charge? Call (630) 953-4400 for immediate help. We defend all criminal charges in Illinois and can explain exactly what you're facing and how to fight it.