OT: Illinois Law

Well this probably isn't very good for technically being my 1st post here, but I was hoping someone might be able to help me out with knowledge of Illinois laws.  My boyfriend got into a fight with his friend last night and was charged with battery.  He's in jail now.  I talked to the friend and they told him he would need to go down tomorrow and press charges if he wanted to.  Now they said my bf just needs $100 to get out of the county jail, but if his friend also presses charges, will he be arrested again?  I'm so scared, I just moved here and my boyfriend is all that I have.  Also what is the general or average sentence for a battery charge?

Who did he batter the first time and who signed the first battery charges that landed him in jail? It sounds like there were many people involved in this. Yes, if the friend signs complaints against him for battery (the police CANNOT make him sign complaints, just so you know) he will be arrested again because those are seperate charges.  The $100 fine is correct for the bail on the first battery charge. That is simple battery and the bond on that is $1,000 with the ten percent being $100. This is a class A misdemeanor and that is what the fine is for it. I cannot say what the judge would sentance him to if he was found guilty after a trial. They take into account the past criminal history after the verdict comes down. I really have never known of a first time(if he has never been arrested before) simple battery charge ending up with a jail sentance, usually probation and fines are imposed. IF IT WERE A FELONY (and this isn't) there would be a different outcome. Make sure that he goes to his arraignment hearing that will be set with an attorney. If he cannot afford an attorney then the courts will provide a public defender. I hope this helps. Christine PS I will not have access to a computer for the next 4 days due to being out of town. I hope everything works out for you two. I will check your post again on Sunday afternoon when I am home and see if there is anything else I can help you with.

Thanks for the info, there was only him and one other person involved, a friend of his.  He was previously on probation for a charge back when he was a teenager, but not battery or anything similer, stupid teenager stuff.  I'm just hoping everything turns out ok, I get off work here in an hour and it looks like I'll be riding the bus down to the jail to see him.  I don't have $100 to get him out and I don't think he's called his dad because he isn't home yet and I haven't heard anything.

I am still curious who signed the first complaints that landed him in jail? The name of the person who signed the complaints will be on his defendant copy of the complaint. You just do not land in jail for a battery charge and then the police are also asking his friend to come in and sign other complaints. The states attorneys office will make the decision as to the previous juvenile issue.  Sorry, I do not have anything else to offer you. I do not have access to the court's system for your area, just DuPage County. Christine