720 ILCS 5/12-1 – Assault
This law says it’s a crime to make someone afraid they’re about to be hurt on purpose.
In Illinois, assault. means doing something that makes another person reasonably think they are about to be hit or harmed. It’s a misdemeanor, and the court may require community service as part of the punishment.
(a) A person commits assault when, without a legal reason, they knowingly act in a way that makes someone else reasonably believe they’re about to be physically attacked.
(b) Sentence: Assault is considered a Class C misdemeanor, which is a minor criminal offense in Illinois.
(c) If someone is found guilty of assault, the court must require them to do between 30 and 120 hours of community service if such programs exist in their area and are approved by the county board. If the person is placed under supervision instead of jail time, doing this community service is still required. This rule doesn’t apply if the person is sentenced to jail.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Southern Illinois criminal defense lawyer.
