In Illinois, sexual assault is a serious crime that has devastating consequences for victims. Many sexual assaults occur in the workplace or between work associates and unfortunately, these cases often go unreported or untried due to a lack of evidence or a victim’s fear of the personal or professional repercussions of pressing charges. However, it is critical to hold these individuals accountable, so if you or a loved one were the victim of sexual assault, whether in the workplace or somewhere else, it is critical to contact an experienced Chicago civil litigation attorney who can explain your legal options.
A person can be charged with criminal sexual assault if he or she sexually penetrated the victim and:
A person convicted of sexual assault has committed a Class 1 felony, which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. However, if the defendant is convicted a second time, the charge is increased to a Class 10 felony, which can mean life imprisonment.
A person can be charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault if he or she commits a sexual assault in conjunction with certain aggravating factors, including that:
A defendant can also be found guilty of committing aggravated criminal sexual assault if he or she sexually penetrated the victim and:
Aggravated sexual assault is charged as a Class 10 felony, which is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, with the possibility of a life term.
Sexual assault is a heinous crime that can affect victims for the rest of their lives. If you were sexually assaulted, please contact the Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline by calling (312) 558-1454 today to speak with an experienced civil litigation attorney.