A spotlight on domestic violence in Illinois may lead judges to enact harsh sentences for any violent offenders in the upcoming months.

Conversations about domestic violence charges were sparked recently after Kendrick Nunn, a guard for the Illini basketball team, pleaded guilty to hitting a woman in the head and shoving her to the ground. He was charged a few weeks ago with misdemeanor battery. Worse, he is the fourth member of the Illini basketball team to be arrested [...]

In January, a Rantoul man was found guilty of hitting a woman and stopping her from leaving her home. Only two months later, he went to county jail to serve three years behind bars – the absolute maximum sentence for domestic battery.

If that timeframe seems fast, you’re not wrong.

The State’s Attorney’s office has put a new initiative in place designed to bring offenders to justice “faster than ever before.” According to Assistant State’s Attorney Claire Sharples [...]

A criminal conviction will follow you around for the rest of your life, limiting many potential opportunities. Not only will you have difficulty finding a job, a place to live, and getting an education, but your family, friends, and reputation will also be affected.

A domestic battery conviction will do all of this and so, so much more.

The United States and the state of Illinois treat domestic violence offenders harshly. In addition to any criminal penalties, you [...]

Laws are put in place to protect people and punish those who would victimize others. But what if an alleged offender in one instance is a victim in a separate situation?

One new law in our state addresses that exact situation. The idea behind this law is to help those who are victims of domestic violence and have also been charged with a separate crime. It’s called the Domestic Violence Sentencing Consideration, and it’s just going into effect this [...]