720 ILCS 5/12-5 – Reckless Conduct

720 ILCS 5/12-5 – Reckless Conduct

This law says that someone can be punished if they act carelessly and hurt or risk hurting another person.

This Illinois law makes it a crime to do something reckless that causes harm or danger to another person. The punishment is more serious if the harm is very bad or causes permanent injury.

(a) A person commits reckless conduct when, by any kind of action (legal or illegal), they carelessly do something that:

1. Causes injury to another person or puts someone’s safety at risk; or
2. Causes serious injury, permanent disability, or lasting damage to another person.

(b) Punishment:

1. If the act in (a)(1) happens, it is a Class A misdemeanor (a less serious crime).
2. If the act in (a)(2) happens, it is a Class 4 felony (a more serious crime).

View the full statute here.

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