Being able to drive is one of the most important privileges we use every day. Getting to work, taking kids to school, and buying groceries all rely on the use of a car. Losing the ability to drive because of a driver’s license suspension or revocation can be annoying at best, and financially crippling at worst. 

Although a driver’s license suspension and a revocation may seem similar, they are two different penalties and result in different consequences. This article looks at the difference between a suspension and a revocation, but your attorney is the best source for answers to your questions. 

Driver’s License Revocations

A driver’s license revocation is generally given to someone who commits a serious traffic violation. These include, but are not limited to: 

People driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol cause a disproportionate percentage of road accidents every year. Although many of these car crashes involve only the intoxicated driver and their vehicle, sometimes other drivers and passengers are injured or killed as well. When an intoxicated driver hurts or kills another person, the charges for driving under the influence are increased and a conviction can result in severe consequences that could impact the driver for the rest of his or her life. 

This article examines the likely consequences of various types of harm caused by an intoxicated driver in Illinois. If you were involved in a DUI accident, seek legal representation immediately. 

DUI Accidents Resulting in Serious Injuries, Disfigurement, or Disability 

DUI accidents that result in serious bodily injury, permanent disfigurement, or permanent disability can result in an aggravated felony DUI charge. Aggravated felony DUIs charges range from a Class 4 felony to a Class X felony, depending on the circumstances. Class 4 felonies, the least serious type of felony charge, still carry penalties of one to four years in prison, a driver’s license revocation of at least two years, and up to $25,000 in fines. Class X felonies, the most serious type of felony charge, allow for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison and as much as $25,000 in fines. 

Sex crime convictions are among the most serious and long-lasting convictions in Illinois criminal law. Convictions for some sex crimes carry the life-long labels of “felon” or “sex offender.”Registered sex offenders have strict limitations on where they can live and work and other behavioral restrictions based on their conviction. If you have been accused of a sex crime, it is crucial to get legal representation immediately and understand what happens if you are convicted. 

Will I Have to Register as a Sex Offender? 

Illinois requires persons convicted of many sex-related crimes to register as sex offenders. Some examples of crimes that require sex offender registration include, but are not limited to: 

• Possession and/or distribution of child pornography

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In Illinois, police and prosecutors are very careful before they label a crime a home invasion. Part of the reason is invading a person’s home is one of the worst crimes you could commit and therefore, it has some of the harshest penalties. Another reason is that “home invasion” has a very specific definition and multiple elements. So, what is a home invasion?

Home Invasion Under Illinois Law

A home invasion is similar to a burglary in that you enter a person’s home without authorization but that is where the crime begins to deviate. Unlike a burglary, a home invasion is considered a violent crime because the purpose of entering the home is to cause harm to someone who lives there. 

According to the Illinois Criminal Code, a home invasion is when someone enters a person’s home knowing that they are home and the alleged offender: 

Sometimes, the terms assault and battery are used interchangeably. People use both terms to refer to a physical attack of some kind. However, in Illinois, assault and battery are different offenses with different legal definitions. These offenses also have much different punishments. So, what is the difference between assault and battery in Illinois?

Assault Laws in Illinois

To assault someone in Illinois means you put a person into a position to think or feel that they are about to receive a battery. For example, if you threaten to punch someone and cock your fist back in preparation for throwing a punch, you could be charged with assault. Assault in the Prarie State is considered a Class C misdemeanor and could result in up to 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine. 

Additionally, you could be charged with aggravated assault if you use a weapon or threaten a protected class like a police officer, teacher, handicapped person, or elderly citizen. If you are convicted of aggravated assault, how you are charged depends on the details of the incident and your criminal background. You could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor or Class 3 Felony. In turn, you could be sentenced to less than a year in jail to 10 years in prison.