Today’s post will take a deep dive into three different vehicular crimes in Illinois. The first section will explore criminal trespass to vehicles, then vehicular hijacking, and finally, Aggravated vehicular hijacking.
Criminal Trespass to Vehicles
Illinois law under 720 ILCS 5/21-2 defines the offense of criminal trespass to vehicles. A person commits criminal trespass to vehicles if he or she knowingly and without legal authority enters or operates another person’s vehicle.
Criminal trespass to vehicles is generally a Class A misdemeanor in Illinois. The usual penalties for this offense include up to 364 days of confinement, $2,500 in fines, and up to 24 months of probation.
Moving past criminal trespass to vehicles, the next section will address vehicular hijacking.
Vehicular Hijacking
Illinois law under 720 ILCS 5/18-3 defines the offense of vehicular hijacking. A person commits vehicular hijacking if they knowingly use force — or the threat of force — to steal another person’s vehicle.
Vehicular hijacking is generally a Class 1 felony in Illinois. The usual penalties for this offense include four to 15 years of confinement, $25,000 in fines, and up to 48 months of probation.
Having covered vehicular hijacking, the next section will examine aggravated vehicular hijacking.
Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking
Illinois law under 720 ILCS 5/18-4 defines the offense of aggravated vehicular hijacking. As outlined in this section, vehicular hijacking can become aggravated vehicular hijacking in the seven situations described below:
- Disability: It is aggravated vehicular hijacking to steal a vehicle from a person with a physical disability;
- Age: It is aggravated vehicular hijacking to steal a vehicle from a person who is at least 60 years old;
- Underage Passenger: It is aggravated vehicular hijacking to steal a vehicle that has a passenger under 16 years old;
- Dangerous Weapon: It is aggravated vehicular hijacking to steal a vehicle while armed with a dangerous weapon;
- Firearm: It is aggravated vehicular hijacking to steal a vehicle while armed with a firearm;
- Firearm Discharge: It is aggravated vehicular hijacking to discharge a firearm while stealing a vehicle; and
- Injury or Harm: It is aggravated vehicular hijacking to discharge a firearm and injure or harm another person while stealing a vehicle.
Vehicular hijacking is generally a Class X felony in Illinois. The usual penalties for this offense include six to 30 years of confinement and $25,000 in fines. Probation and conditional discharge are not available for Class X felonies in Illinois.
Do You Need Legal Help?
No matter what the criminal offense, all charges are serious. A sound strategy and an aggressive defense are essential for a positive outcome. To protect your rights in such situations, it is highly advisable to retain legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney.
The Prior Law Firm in Bloomington, Illinois, has proven experience in matters of criminal defense. If you need legal help with criminal defense, contact us today for a free consultation. You can reach The Prior Law Firm by phone at (309) 827-4300, email at johnprior@thepriorlawfirm.com or by completing an online form.
(image courtesy of Zach Meaney)