Crimes are classified both by the type and the severity of the offense. Felonies are considered more serious than misdemeanors, and in Illinois they typically carry a minimum of one year of incarceration. Even amongst felonies, though, there are degrees of seriousness.

Our state has five classes of felonies – Class 4, Class 3, Class 2, Class 1, and Class X. Among these, Class X felonies are the most serious recognized in Illinois with exception to first-degree murder. If [...]