Legal Question in Criminal Law in Illinois

my brother (at the time16 yrs old) is charged with attempted murder with intent to kill on a chicago transit bus. The guy was shot in the leg but no physical evidence was found against my brother and he was sentenced to 50 years. Is this fair?


Asked on 1/17/13, 8:28 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

George Ellis The Ellis Law Firm

It seems that 50 years is a possible outcome and not an outlier... Also one or more aggravating factors may have been present. We would need more facts. Please feel free to call us 800 7939859

A person convicted of attempt may be fined or imprisoned or both not to exceed the maximum provided for the offense attempted but, except for an attempt to commit the offense defined in Section 33A-2 of this Code:

(1) the sentence for attempt to commit first degree

murder is the sentence for a Class X felony, except that

(A) an attempt to commit first degree murder when

at least one of the aggravating factors specified in paragraphs (1), (2), and (12) of subsection (b) of Section 9-1 is present is a Class X felony for which the sentence shall be a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years and not more than 80 years;

(B) an attempt to commit first degree murder

while armed with a firearm is a Class X felony for which 15 years shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court;

(C) an attempt to commit first degree murder

during which the person personally discharged a firearm is a Class X felony for which 20 years shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court;

(D) an attempt to commit first degree murder

during which the person personally discharged a firearm that proximately caused great bodily harm, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, or death to another person is a Class X felony for which 25 years or up to a term of natural life shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court; and

(E) if the defendant proves by a preponderance of

the evidence at sentencing that, at the time of the attempted murder, he or she was acting under a sudden and intense passion resulting from serious provocation by the individual whom the defendant endeavored to kill, or another, and, had the individual the defendant endeavored to kill died, the defendant would have negligently or accidentally caused that death, then the sentence for the attempted murder is the sentence for a Class 1 felony;

(2) the sentence for attempt to commit a Class X

felony is the sentence for a Class 1 felony;

(3) the sentence for attempt to commit a Class 1

felony is the sentence for a Class 2 felony;

(4) the sentence for attempt to commit a Class 2

felony is the sentence for a Class 3 felony; and

(5) the sentence for attempt to commit any felony

other than those specified in items (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this subsection (c) is the sentence for a Class A misdemeanor.

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Answered on 1/21/13, 9:36 pm


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