720 ILCS 5/12-7 – Compelling Confession or Information by Force or Threat

720 ILCS 5/12-7 – Compelling Confession or Information by Force or Threat

This law makes it illegal to hurt or threaten someone to make them confess or give information about a crime.

This Illinois law says that it is a crime to use force or threats to get someone to confess or share information about a crime. The punishment depends on how badly the victim is hurt or threatened.

(a) A person breaks this law if they try to make someone confess, talk, or give information about a crime by using physical harm or by threatening to harm that person or someone else.

(b) The punishment for forcing a confession or information is:

1. A Class 4 felony if the person only threatens to hurt someone but doesn’t actually hurt them.
2. A Class 3 felony if the person actually hurts someone to make them confess or give information.
3. A Class 2 felony if the person causes serious injury while trying to get a confession or information.

View the full statute here.

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