Domestic violence is a pervasive problem. Each year, there are more than 100,000 acts of domestic violence reported to law enforcement in Illinois and more than 50,000 orders of protection issued by the courts. If you have been a victim of domestic violence or you have been accused of committing an offense, you should know that there are legal protections available. At Rogers Law Office in Champaign, I draw on more than 20 years of experience to help clients on both sides of the issue. I help victims obtain protective orders and defend alleged abusers at hearings. When you retain my services, you get understanding counsel and determined representation focused on achieving a just outcome.
Illinois’ domestic violence statute applies to families and current or former members of a household, such as:
An act of domestic violence includes:
When a qualifying relationship and act are present, a victim can petition the court for protection.
If you have a reasonable fear for your safety or the safety of your children, you should immediately seek an order of protection. If, on the other hand, you’re involved in a divorce or child custody dispute, and your spouse is wrongly accusing you, you need to obtain representation to defend your good name.
In Illinois, there are three types of Orders of Protection:
When the court issues an order of protection, the respondent may have to:
A willful violation of an order can result in criminal charges. A violation is a Class A misdemeanor carrying a potential sentence of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. It is fairly standard for a judge to order 24 hours in jail for a first violation and 48 hours for any additional violations. However, if the respondent has a criminal history, a violation can be a Class 4 felony.
I assist clients through every step of the filing and hearing processes for orders of protection, gathering evidence and preparing testimony to support a just result.
Rogers Law Office in Champaign, Illinois provides determined representation in domestic violence cases. Please call 217-318-0677 or contact me online to schedule a confidential consultation.