Illinois Woman Charged With Possession and Delivery Drug Crimes

Local authorities charged a woman from Normal, Illinois, with several felony drug crimes, including unlawful possession and delivery, according to an article by The Pantagraph. 

Official reports indicate that this 36-year-old Illinois woman allegedly committed the following:

    Three counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance; and Four counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

At this juncture, the Illinois woman remains in police custody at the McLean County Jail. While this woman awaits further legal developments, it seems wise to examine the Illinois laws against and penalties for the possession and distribution of controlled substances.

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance

The Illinois laws against the delivery of a controlled substance appear under 720 ILCS 570/402. This section makes it largely illegal to knowingly possess any controlled substance. 

From a higher-level standpoint, any person who violates Section 402 with respect to:

    Schedule
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Written by on January 20, 2023

How Does Assault Differ From Battery in Illinois?

The difference between assault and battery is something that seems to arise on a regular basis. Sometimes used interchangeably, assault and battery are actually separate criminal offenses under the Illinois Criminal Code. Depending on the presence of physical contact, offenders can face completely different penalty structures for assault or battery, including a jail sentence and criminal fines. 

How Does Illinois Define and Penalize Assault?

720 ILCS 5/12-1 establishes the Illinois laws against assault. Under this section, it is unlawful to knowingly and without legal authority:

    Engage in any conduct with another person; and Place the other person in reasonable fear of battery or similar physical contact. 

In this context, it is vital to note that assault does not require physical contact. Words alone can suffice, so long as the victim is in reasonable fear that such contact could be imminent. 

Section 12-1 also provides the Illinois penalty for assault. Under [...]

Written by on January 13, 2023

Bloomington, Illinois Man Charged with 15 Child Sex Crimes

A man from Bloomington, Illinois, faces multiple charges for predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, according to an article by The Pantagraph. 

The Bloomington Police Department arrested the 51-year-old man in question on Thursday, January 5. The next day, the authorities charged this man with 15 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault. 

Court documents indicate that the crimes in question happened between 2009 and 2011. Each of those counts represents a Class X felony. That class of felony is not eligible for probation or conditional discharge under Illinois law.

Though the court case and applicable legal process remain ongoing, the Illinois man remains in police custody on a $1 million bond with 10 percent required to apply for release. The next court date is an arraignment presently scheduled for January 27. 

While this legal situation continues to advance, it seems fitting to review the Illinois laws against [...]

Written by on January 6, 2023

How Does Involuntary Manslaughter Differ From Reckless Homicide in Illinois?

For the most part, moving violations and other traffic offenses represent misdemeanor offenses under Illinois law. But when an accident leads to an unintentional fatality, a driver can face felony charges for involuntary manslaughter or reckless homicide. As explored in more detail below, the involvement of certain vehicles can turn involuntary manslaughter into reckless homicide.

What is Involuntary Manslaughter in Illinois?

720 ILCS 5/9-3 provides the Illinois laws against involuntary manslaughter. This section makes it unlawful to kill another person without intending to do so. But to qualify as involuntary manslaughter, the offender’s actions must be reckless or otherwise create a likelihood of great bodily harm or death.

Section 9-3 also explains the penalty for involuntary manslaughter. This offense is usually a Class 3 felony in Illinois. The statutory penalty for a Class 3 felony includes a prison sentence between two and five years as well as criminal fines up [...]

Written by on December 30, 2022