Assault and Battery
720 ILCS 5/12-3 — assault is a Class C misdemeanor, battery a Class A, and aggravated battery a Class 3 felony
| Offense | What it is | Class |
|---|---|---|
| OffenseAssault | What it isKnowingly placing another in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery, without lawful authority | ClassA Class C misdemeanor |
| OffenseBattery | What it isKnowingly causing bodily harm, or making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature, without legal justification | ClassA Class A misdemeanor |
| OffenseAggravated battery | What it isA battery that, for one, causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement | ClassA Class 3 felony unless the section sets another |
Who handles this in Illinois: Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Lawyer Finder; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Illinois directory.
A person convicted of assault is also ordered to perform not less than 30 and not more than 120 hours of community service, where the county funds a program and no jail sentence is imposed.
- Aggravated battery is raised for the victim's status, such as a peace officer or a teacher on school grounds, and for a battery in a public place.
- A battery committed by discharging a firearm and causing any injury is aggravated battery with a firearm, and the section sets it as a Class X felony.
Sources for this section (3)
- 720 ILCS 5/12-1 — Assault
- 720 ILCS 5/12-3 — Battery
- 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05 — Aggravated battery
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Illinois attorney.