Facing Assault or Battery Charges? Ms. Williams Will Build the Strongest Possible Defense.
Assault and battery charges in Illinois range from misdemeanors to Class X felonies carrying decades in prison. Whether the allegation involves a bar fight, a workplace confrontation, a neighborhood dispute, or a more serious incident, a conviction can mean jail time, a permanent criminal record, and lasting damage to your reputation and your future.
Updated September 2026
With over 33 years of legal experience, Ms. Williams has defended clients facing assault and battery charges across 13 counties in Central Illinois. She examines every angle of the case—self-defense claims, witness credibility, the circumstances of the alleged incident—and fights to protect her clients' rights at every stage.
What Is at Stake with Assault and Battery Charges
Even a simple battery conviction—a Class A misdemeanor—carries up to 364 days (just under one year) in jail and creates a criminal record that shows up on background checks. Aggravated battery can result in years in prison. If the alleged victim is a law enforcement officer, elderly person, child, teacher, or other protected individual, the charges and penalties escalate significantly.
Beyond the criminal penalties, a violent crime conviction affects employment opportunities, professional licensing, immigration status, and your right to possess firearms. The consequences are too serious to face without experienced legal counsel.
How Ms. Williams Defends Assault and Battery Cases
Assault and battery cases are rarely as simple as the police report makes them appear. Ms. Williams starts by listening to your full account of what happened—not just the moment of the alleged incident, but everything leading up to it. Context matters. Provocation matters. Who initiated the confrontation matters.
She then conducts a thorough investigation: reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses, examining surveillance footage when available, and documenting any injuries to all parties. She identifies every weakness in the prosecution's case—inconsistent witness statements, missing evidence, procedural errors, and gaps in the timeline.
Self-defense is one of the most common and effective defenses in assault and battery cases. Illinois law recognizes the right to use reasonable force to protect yourself or another person from imminent bodily harm. Ms. Williams has extensive experience presenting self-defense arguments and knows how to build a compelling case for justification.
Assault and Battery Charges Ms. Williams Defends
Placing another person in reasonable apprehension of a battery. A Class C misdemeanor. While the least serious assault charge, a conviction still creates a criminal record and can carry up to 30 days in jail.
Assault committed with a deadly weapon, against a protected victim, or in a public place such as a school or park. A Class A misdemeanor to Class 4 felony depending on the circumstances. Penalties increase significantly based on the aggravating factors.
Causing bodily harm or making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature. A Class A misdemeanor carrying up to 364 days (just under one year) in jail and fines up to $2,500. Ms. Williams challenges the evidence and fights for the best possible outcome.
Battery causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement, or battery committed with a deadly weapon or against a protected victim. Ranges from Class 3 felony (2-5 years) to Class X felony (6-30 years). These are among the most serious charges Ms. Williams defends.
Illinois Assault and Battery Law
Illinois defines assault (720 ILCS 5/12-1) and battery (720 ILCS 5/12-3) as separate offenses. Assault requires no physical contact—only that the victim reasonably believed contact was imminent. Battery requires actual physical contact causing harm or of an insulting or provoking nature.
Aggravated versions of both charges (720 ILCS 5/12-2 and 5/12-3.05) apply when specific factors are present: use of a weapon, the victim's status as a protected individual, the location of the offense, or the severity of injuries. These factors can elevate a misdemeanor into a serious felony. See also: 720 ILCS 5/24-1.6.
Illinois also recognizes justifiable use of force under 720 ILCS 5/7-1. A person may use force against another when they reasonably believe it is necessary to defend themselves or another person against the imminent use of unlawful force. The force used must be proportional to the threat. Ms. Williams builds self-defense cases by documenting the circumstances that made force reasonable and necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions: Assault and Battery Defense
What is the difference between assault and battery in Illinois?
Assault is placing someone in reasonable apprehension of being struck or harmed—no physical contact is required. Battery is the actual physical contact, either causing bodily harm or being insulting or provoking in nature. You can be charged with assault even if you never touched anyone, and you can be charged with battery even if the injuries are minor.
What are the penalties for aggravated battery?
Aggravated battery penalties depend on the specific aggravating factors. Great bodily harm or permanent disability is a Class 3 felony (2-5 years). Use of a deadly weapon is a Class 3 felony. Battery against a police officer is a Class 2 felony (3-7 years). Battery causing great bodily harm to a child or elderly person can be a Class X felony (6-30 years). Ms. Williams evaluates the specific charges and circumstances to develop the strongest defense.
Can I claim self-defense?
Yes. Illinois law recognizes the right to use reasonable force to defend yourself or another person from imminent unlawful force. The key questions are whether you reasonably believed force was necessary and whether the force you used was proportional to the threat. Ms. Williams has extensive experience presenting self-defense arguments in Central Illinois courts.
Can assault charges be reduced or dismissed?
Depending on the evidence, charges can be reduced to lesser offenses or dismissed entirely. Self-defense, lack of intent, mistaken identity, insufficient evidence, and witness credibility issues are all grounds for fighting the charges. Ms. Williams reviews every aspect of the case to pursue the best outcome available.
What should I do if I am charged with assault or battery?
Exercise your right to remain silent. Do not discuss the incident with anyone except your attorney. Do not contact the alleged victim. Preserve any evidence that supports your account—text messages, photographs of injuries, surveillance footage, and witness contact information. Contact Ms. Williams as soon as possible to begin building your defense.
Do you handle battery charges in Bloomington IL?
Yes. Ms. Williams defends battery and assault charges in Bloomington and throughout McLean County in the 11th Judicial Circuit. Battery cases in Bloomington are heard at the McLean County Courthouse at 104 W. Front Street. Whether the charge involves a bar incident, a domestic battery allegation, or an altercation that escalated, Ms. Williams examines the full circumstances and builds the strongest defense available.
Ms. Williams defends assault and battery cases throughout Central Illinois including Peoria County, McLean County, Tazewell County, LaSalle County, and Macon County. She also handles domestic violence, domestic battery, weapons charges, drug crimes, and all other criminal defense matters. Because simple battery is a Class A misdemeanor, see also her misdemeanor charges defense overview.