The Ten Most Frequently Committed Crimes among Illinois Inmates

 Posted on February 25, 2016 in Criminal Defense

Have you ever wondered which crimes are the most prevalent in the state of Illinois? While gun violence and homicide rates have captured the media’s attention lately, new numbers released by the Illinois Department of Corrections may indicate which crimes are actually the most popular in the state. The department surveyed the state’s inmate population of over 45,000 inmates spread across 25 correctional facilities, and recorded their offense in one of 28 categories, including murder, robbery, and burglary. Based on their findings, here are the top ten most common crimes committed by Illinois inmates. Robbery

Number of Inmates: 1,616

Percent: 3.3 In Illinois, robbery is theft of money or property through the use of violence of fear. Aggravated or armed robbery indicates a deadly weapon may have been used, or the victim of the robbery was injured. DUI

Number of Inmates: 1,651

Percent: 3.4 Drivers found operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of over .08 percent in Illinois will be charged with a DUI. While DUI rates have declined in America over recent years, DUIs still remain a common violation, and drugged driving rates are on the rise. Residential Burglary

Number of Inmates: 2,110

Percent: 4.3 Burglary becomes residential burglary when a person enters a known dwelling of another without permission with the intent of committing a crime. Armed Robbery

Number of Inmates: 2,754

Percent: 5.6 Armed Robbery involves theft of property through violence with a deadly weapon. Burglary

Number of Inmates: 2,865

Percent: 5.9 While residential burglary only applies if a home or dwelling is involved, burglary is any unlawful entry into a structure with the intent of committing an unlawful act. This could be a variety of crimes, including but not limited to theft, and no actual breaking and entering is required. A person could simply walk through an unlocked door and still be charged with burglary. Weapons

Number of Inmates: 3,126

Percent : 6.4 If state and federal laws are not properly followed when it comes to possessing a gun, or operating a firearms sales business, an individual may face weapons charges. Assault

Number of Inmates: 3,795

Percent: 7.8 While people commonly think of assault as a physical, violent attack, legal scholars say even a threat of an attack coupled with an ability to cause harm is qualified as assault. Sexual Assault

Number of Inmates: 4,828

Percent: 9.9 While laws on sexual assault vary from state to state, sexual assault in general is any crime in which a victim is the subject of unwanted sexual touching. This can include sexual groping and attempted rape. Controlled Substances

Number of Inmates: 8,565

Percent: 17.5 This includes the distribution, sales, and possession of controlled substances like narcotics, depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens. Homicide

Number of Inmates: 8,865

Percent: 18.1 In general, homicide includes any killing of another human. Cases within this category can vary from murder, to manslaughter, to justified self defense. If you are facing criminal charges, no matter the offense, you need the help of a skilled Chicago area criminal defense attorney. You may be looking at fines, jail time, or other harsh consequences that should not be addressed lightly. Contact the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney today to learn more about the services we can provide to our clients. We have years of combined experience protecting our clients from a variety of criminal charges, and will work tirelessly to ensure as beneficial an outcome as possible for your specific case. Call 312-629-0669 to schedule your free consultation today.  

Sources:

http://www.illinois.gov/idoc/reportsandstatistics/Documents/FY2014%20Annual%20Report.pdf

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/reboot-illinois/top-10-most-common-crimes_b_9202092.html