Criminal sexual abuse (720 ILCS 5/11-1.50) is generally considered a Class 4 felony in Illinois. An individual is guilty of committing criminal sexual abuse as a Class 4 felony if they commit sexual conduct under force, under threat of force, or to a victim who could not give knowing consent to the act. Unlike criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse includes acts of sexual misconduct that do not involve penetration.
Penalties for Criminal Sexual Abuse in Illinois
A Class 4 felony is punishable by 1-3 years in prison. It is a probationable offense, meaning a judge has the authorization to sentence probation. A following criminal abuse offense after a first conviction is considered a Class 2 felony which has a potential sentence of 3-7 years in prison, also probationable.
In Illinois, criminal sexual abuse can be considered a Class A misdemeanor under specific circumstances. An individual can be found guilty of criminal sexual abuse as a misdemeanor if:
- The offender is under 17 and the victim is age 9-16
- The victim is age 13-16 and the offender is age 17 or older, but less than 5 years older than the victim's age
Misdemeanors result in up to one year in jail, which can be reduced up to half for good behavior.
Regardless of if a case of criminal sexual abuse is considered a felony or misdemeanor, anyone found guilty of criminal sexual abuse still must register as a sex offender in the Illinois Sex Offender Registry. This can have severe impact on an individual's life, and alienate them from their community and family.
Contact a Top Criminal Sexual Abuse Lawyer in Chicago and DuPage County
If you or someone you know has been accused of criminal sexual abuse, experienced legal representation and an aggressive defense can make a big difference in your case. At Dolci & Weiland, our sex crimes defense lawyers have experience in defense and prosecution of sex crimes. We have a deep understanding of how sex crimes are dealt with in the Illinois legal system, and we know how to build you the best possible defense. Contact us today to discuss your case with an experienced criminal sexual abuse lawyer.
DuPage Office – (630) 261-9098
Chicago Office – (312) 238-9007