Sec. 32-11. Barratry. If a person wickedly and willfully excites and stirs up actions or quarrels between the people of this State with a view to promote strife and contention, he or she is guilty of the petty offense of common barratry; and if he or she is an attorney at law, he or she shall be suspended from the practice of his or her profession, for any time not exceeding 6 months.
Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/32-11 (Barratry) is classified as a Petty Offense. Statutory sentencing scope: No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000. Court appearance is not mandatory (pre-set bond or notice to appear), and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.
No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barratry Official ILGA · 720 ILCS 5/32-11 -> | Petty Offense | Release on Notice | Release Eligible | — | ILGA.gov -> |
(Source: P.A. 89-234, eff. 1-1-96.)
Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/32-11 (Barratry) is classified as a Petty Offense.
Sentencing Scope: No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000
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 5/32-11 (West 2026)
720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/32-11 (2026)
https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/720-ilcs-5-32-11