Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Being charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child is an incredibly serious and life-altering event. Illinois law, specifically 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40, addresses instances of sexual penetration involving a child under 13 by someone aged 17 or older. These criminal charges are extremely severe, carrying both significant legal and social consequences. As an experienced criminal defense attorney in Chicago with extensive experience, I aim to provide a thorough understanding of this statute, the relevant legal framework, and the possible defense strategies.
Understanding the Statute and Relevant Laws
Under 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child is defined as an act of sexual penetration by an individual 17 years or older with a child under 13. In Illinois, sexual penetration includes any contact, however slight, between the sex organ or anus of one person and an object, the sex organ, mouth, or anus of another person, or any intrusion, however slight, of any part of the body into the sex organ or anus of another person. This broad definition encompasses a wide range of sexual acts, making the statute stringent and far-reaching.
