20+ Years of Experience
Top Domestic Battery Lawyers
If you have been arrested for aggravated domestic battery contact Gus Kostopoulos and the Kostopoulos Law Group. As a former prosecutor, Gus understands how the state will approach these serious criminal charges. He will use this insight and experience to aggressively fight on your behalf and minimize the consequences of your arrest.
Aggravated domestic battery is a serious offense and it is important to understand the potential consequences of this crime. A conviction for aggravated domestic battery can land you behind bars, require you to register as a sex offender and limit your ability to own a firearm. You could also be prohibited from seeing your family and even living in your own home. You can limit the likelihood of these effects by hiring an experienced Chicago domestic violence attorney to handle your case.
At the Kostopoulos Law Group, our Chicago attorneys have more than three decades of combined legal experience. We have successfully handled thousands of complex criminal matters and helped our clients achieve positive results. Contact our office today to learn more about how we can help you fight criminal charges for aggravated domestic battery.
20+ Years of Experience
Experienced Former Prosecutor
Top Rated in Criminal Defense
Aggravated Domestic Battery
Crimes of domestic violence occur when you cause physical harm to a member of your household or family. Victims of domestic violence can include:
- Spouse or former spouse;
- Dating partner;
- Child;
- Parent of a child;
- Roommate or former roommate; and
- Elderly family member’s caretaker.
You can be charged with aggravated domestic battery, as defined in 720 ILCS 5/12-3.3, if you commit a domestic battery and:
- Knowingly and intentionally cause great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement; or
- Strangle your victim.
Strangulation, for the purposes of aggravated domestic battery, means “intentionally impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of an individual by applying pressure on the throat or neck of that individual or by blocking the nose or mouth of that individual.”
The prosecution will be required to establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you are guilty of these aggravating factors. They will present any facts, evidence, and/or testimony that supports their claim. This can include witness/victim testimony, photographs, medical reports, and expert witness analysis. The prosecution can use a combination of circumstantial and direct evidence to prove their case. It will be important to discredit their witnesses and evidence. Your Chicago criminal defense attorney will present evidence and facts that are helpful to your case and that serve to weaken the prosecution’s argument.
Penalties for Aggravated Domestic Battery
Criminal Penalties
When the crime of domestic battery is aggravated the potential criminal consequences become more severe. The specific penalties you may face will depend on an analysis of mitigating (helpful) and aggravating (harmful) factors. Factors that are most relevant in this determination include the extent of the harm suffered by the victim and your prior criminal record.
Aggravated domestic battery is a Class 2 Felony in Chicago. If you are convicted of aggravated domestic battery you could be sentenced to probation, 3-7 years in an Illinois state prison, and/or be required to pay fines of up to $25,000. Subsequent convictions for aggravated domestic battery carry a mandatory term of imprisonment of at least 3 years.
Non-Criminal Penalties
In addition to prison and steep monetary fines, a conviction for aggravated domestic battery will have serious non-criminal consequences. These consequences, which will limit your ability to live a normal life, can include:
- Inability to find gainful and meaningful employment;
- Inability to rent an apartment or purchase a home;
- Loss of gun ownership rights;
- Loss of child custody;
- Mandatory counseling;
- Restrictions on the ability to visit certain locations; and
- Inability to participate in government welfare programs.
Many times, you will be served with an order of protection that will significantly restrict your ability to see your family, live in your home, and travel around your neighborhood. Violating this order of protection can trigger additional criminal charges and penalties.
Defenses to Aggravated Domestic Battery
If you have been charged with aggravated domestic battery in Chicago it is important to argue any defense that may apply to your situation. Hiring an attorney to argue these defenses will increase your chances of achieving a positive outcome in your criminal case. Defenses to aggravated domestic battery can include:
- Violation of your Constitutional rights.
- False accusation;
- Mistaken identity;
- Lack of intent;
- Insufficient evidence;
“Got my felony completely dismissed!”
My family’s lawyer told me that you are top trial lawyers. You won my felony hearing and got my felony completely dismissed! Thank you
– Michael L
“I was facing multiple charges of Domestic Battery”
I was facing multiple charges of Domestic Battery , had 3 warrants issued for my arrest and had these stupid charges weighing on me for 6 years, not wanting to face the music. I finally got picked up and with 6 small children at home, there was NO WAY I could afford to have jailtime. Joe listened and asked crucial questions and from the start he told me he would get it dismissed. I was skeptical to say the least. I paid him in 2 payments (he is super flexible) and then waited after the holidays for final court date. Completely dismissed. He will not give you false hope. He is honest, real and the ONLY person I want in my corner. HE IS WORTH EVERY PENNY! Don’t have someone else give you the runaround as most attorneys do. Save yourself the BS and GO WITH JOE !!!
– Christina S. | March 2019
“I could not be more pleasedand thankful.”
Please read this before you look for another lawyer!! First off, I want to say I am writing this review not because someone asked but because I am so beyond grateful and impressed to have had this group defending me in the court of law. I have never had such exceptional customer service and treated as if I were a high-end long time client. They made me feel like my case was just as important to them as the next. Their articulate steps were given to me in the very beginning to go over what was to be expected and what their goal was. Their rather diligent and speedy efforts to resolve my case couldn’t have been dealt with any better as my case could have gone south real quick. I trusted this group to take full control, let them do their work and they delivered with an outcome I was not expecting. I could not be more pleased and thankful as well as appreciated their flexibility with my payments (that was more than affordable for the hard work they did) as I was in a tight bind at the time. Thank you Joe, Rosemary and everyone else in between who have helped along the way! Your efforts were not unrecognized and I wish your group the best in the future to come! Lets just hope I don’t have to go through this again. If so I’m calling you back!!
– Mareena G. | January 2020
“He was able to dismiss my case and expunge this legal problem off my record.”
I came into some trouble with the law and being my first ever having to hire a lawyer was difficult. When a good friend of mine told me about Joe at Kostopoulos Law Group I had a good feeling about him. Around the time I came into some trouble with the law I was in the process of enlisting for the United States Marines. This court case was stopping me from going any further with my plans of enlisting. I brought the case to Joe and let him know my situation. He was able to dismiss my case and expunge this legal problem off my record. Joe cleared it all up for me and I had little to no worries. I HIGHLY recommended Joe from Kostopoulos Law Group. He will put your mind to ease and take care of your legal trouble. Joe is a very down to earth guy, respectful man, and super friendly. Thank you Joe for taking care of my case I really appreciate it.
– Jonathan G. | November 2019
“Gus, Joe and Rosemary helped in getting my case dismissed.”
Words cannot describe how grateful I am to Joe and Gus. It is very hard to find a dedicated sincere attorney like Joe. Even if anyone calls their number in the middle of the night, Joe will be there to answer and hear your case for sure. Just like that, few months ago, I got into a very unfortunate circumstance. My wife was worried sick didn’t know what to do, called the Kostopoulos Law firm in the middle of the night, since then, Joe is been supporting me till the case got completely dismissed. Gus, Joe and Rosemary helped in getting my case dismissed. Words are enough to express my gratitude and appreciation for their sincere dedication and hard work. They went above and beyond to make sure I understood what was happening and what needed to be done to get the case completely dismissed and expunged. To say my experience with the Kostopoulos Law group was pleasant would be the biggest understatement. I am forever thankful to them both. If you happen to find yourself if legal troubles I highly recommend the Kostopoulos Law Group.Thank you Gus, Joe and Rosemary!!
– Imran Q. | May 2019
Experienced Chicago Aggravated Domestic Battery Attorneys
Have you been accused of aggravated domestic battery in Chicago? If so, do not hesitate to contact the Kostopoulos Law Group. Early intervention in domestic violence issues can make or break your case. Our attorneys will consult with the State’s Attorney early on in the criminal proceedings and fight to minimize the consequences of your arrest. This aggressive approach often results in securing reduced or dismissed criminal charges for our clients. Learn more if you’re a victim of a domestic violence and want to drop charges.
The prosecution will begin to build a case against you the moment you are arrested. They will attempt to take advantage of your limited understanding of the law and trick you into saying something harmful. Do not speak with police or prosecutors until you have consulted with your attorney. Contact our office today to set up a free consultation. We will review your alleged crime, explain your legal rights, and answer the questions you have. The decisions you make today will affect your future. It is important to act quickly, so call us today.
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Top-client-rated criminal defense law firm in Dupage County. Don’t settle for less when your liberty, family, and life are on the line.
Call Dupage County and Cook County criminal defense attorney Gus Kostopoulos today to discuss your case.
