Criminal sexual assault is any act of sexual penetration in which the perpetrator uses threat or force; knows the victim is unable to give knowing consent; is related to the victim and the victim is over 18; holds some position of trust or authority over the victim who is age 17 or older; or is in supervisory care over the victim who is 13-17 years old. If you or someone you know has been charged with criminal sexual assault in Illinois, it is best to speak to a skilled criminal defense lawyer to plan your defense.

What Are the Punishments for Sexual Assault?

Charges for criminal sexual assault will vary, depending on the circumstances. A first offense is a Class 1 felony. However, if the perpetrator has a previous charge, he or she could face Class X felony charges, which could mean at least 30 years in prison. With a previous conviction of aggravated criminal sexual assault or predatory assault of a child, the punishment could be up to life in prison.

There is a wide range of sexual offenses in the state of Illinois, and all carry serious legal repercussions for a conviction. If you have been accused of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or some other sex crime, it is critical you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. Your outcome may depend on your legal representation, as these charges carry the potential for decades or even life in prison. 

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is generally defined as forcing or threatening another party to engage in a sexual act. An individual may be unable or unwilling to consent to an act if they are incapacitated, underage, or any number of other factors. In the case of aggravated sexual assault, a suspect may be accused of using a dangerous weapon during the attack, causing physical harm or life endangerment, assaulting an elderly or physically handicapped person, or additionally committing some other illegal activities beyond basic sexual assault. Predatory sexual assault of a child involves a victim under the age of 13.

Sex crimes are some of the most serious offenses a person can be charged with. Because of their violent and harmful nature, sex crime allegations are taken very seriously, and they also come with significant consequences if they result in a conviction. In Illinois, those convicted of certain offenses will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life. In these cases, a person’s information will be uploaded to the Illinois Sex Offender Registry website, and the offender’s name, where they live, their photo, and whether or not they are compliant with registration requirements will become publicly accessible.

Offenses Which Require Sex Offender Registration

For certain offenses, whether they are misdemeanor or felony charges, a person convicted of these charges will be required to register as a sex offender. These charges include, but are not limited to:

• Indecent solicitation of a child
• Sexual exploitation of a child
• Patronizing a juvenile prostitute
• Juvenile pimping
• Possession or distribution of child pornography
• Predatory criminal sexual assault of a child
• Aggravated criminal sexual abuse
• Forcible detention
• Indecent solicitation of an adult
• Pandering, patronizing, or pimping, if the victim is under 18
• Public indecency
• Permitting sexual abuse of a child
• Aggravated kidnapping
• Unlawful restraint

In order for a person to be required to register as a sex offender, they must also meet one of a few other criteria. These include:

In Illinois, every individual convicted of a sex crime is required to register with the Illinois Sex Offender Registry. Individuals who are adjudicated as sexually dangerous and individuals who are charged with sex crimes but found not guilty for reason of insanity are also required to register as sex offenders.

The sex offender registry exists to provide information to others in sex offenders’ communities that can help them make decisions about where to buy and rent homes and about whether or not to develop relationships with the convicted sex offenders. Sex offenders are required to register for 10 years after their convictions and renew their registrations annually.

All the Information you are Required to Provide

In Illinois, all sex crime convictions require the defendant to register with the Illinois Sex Offender Registry. Additionally, certain individuals who are found not guilty by reason of insanity and those adjudicated as sexually dangerous or sexually violent are required to register. Under the Sex Offender Registration Act, it is a crime for an individual who is required to register as a sex offender to fail to do so.

When you are required to register as a sex offender, you are required to share personal information with the police chief of the municipality where you live on a regular basis. Additionally, you are prohibited from going to certain places and engaging in certain activities.

Verifying your Personal Information Regularly