Sec. 12-3. Battery.
Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/12-3 (Battery) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor. Statutory sentencing scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500. Court appearance is not mandatory (pre-set bond or notice to appear), and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.
Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
| Offense Description | Class | Court Mandate | SAFE-T Act | Reporting Code | Official ILGA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Official ILGA · 720 ILCS 5/12-3 -> | Class A Misdemeanor | Release on Notice | Release Eligible | — | ILGA.gov -> |
| Battery: Knowingly causing bodily harm to an individual – Class A misdemeanor 720 ILCS 5/12-3(a)(1) Official ILGA · 720 ILCS 5/12-3(a)(1) -> | Class A Misdemeanor | Release on Notice | Release Eligible | — | ILGA.gov -> |
| Battery: Making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with an individual – Class A misdemeanor 720 ILCS 5/12-3(a)(2) Official ILGA · 720 ILCS 5/12-3(a)(2) -> | Class A Misdemeanor | Release on Notice | Release Eligible | — | ILGA.gov -> |
(a) A person commits battery if he or she knowingly without legal justification by any means (1) causes bodily harm to an individual or (2) makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with an individual.
(b) Sentence.
Battery is a Class A misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 96-1551, eff. 7-1-11.)
Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/12-3 (Battery) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor.
Sentencing Scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
No Mandatory Court Appearance (Pre-Set Bond / Notice to Appear): Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
Presumptive Pretrial Release: Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.
720 ILCS 5/12-3 (West 2026)
720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/12-3 (2026)
https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/720-ilcs-5-12-3