Your Guide To Understanding Class X Felonies In Illinois

Home » What Is A Class X Felony » Your Guide To Understanding Class X Felonies In Illinois

Maybe your like

request X

FREE CONSULTATION

Thank you for your interest in The Law Offices of Andrew M. Weisberg. Please fill out the form below and we will be in touch soon

  • LinkedInThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Full name*
  • Email*
  • Phone*
  • How Did You Find Us: Select OneGoogleYahoo / BingFacebookTwitterYou TubeFriendLawyer ReferralFormer ClientOther
  • Tell Us About Your Case:
Submit

*Indicates Required Fields

FOLLOW US:

FREE CONSULTATION

Please fill out the form below and we will be in touch soon

  • CommentsThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Full name**
  • Email*
  • Phone*
  • How Did You Find Us: Select OneGoogleYahoo / BingFacebookTwitterYou TubeFriendLawyer ReferralFormer ClientOther
  • Tell Us About Your Case:
Submit

*Indicates Required Fields

Aggressive. Experienced.

Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney Former Cook County Felony Prosecutor

blog_homeBlog Home

It’s Midterm Time: Know What Counts as Voter Fraud in Illinois The Most Frequently Asked Questions about DUI in Illinois

Your Guide to Understanding Class X Felonies in Illinois

by: Andrew Weisberg

Nov 6, 2018

Class X Felonies | Criminal Defense | Felonies

Crimes are classified both by the type and the severity of the offense. Felonies are considered more serious than misdemeanors, and in Illinois they typically carry a minimum of one year of incarceration. Even amongst felonies, though, there are degrees of seriousness.

Our state has five classes of felonies – Class 4, Class 3, Class 2, Class 1, and Class X. Among these, Class X felonies are the most serious recognized in Illinois with exception to first-degree murder. If convicted of a Class X felony, you are not eligible for probation, and could face a prison term of up to 60 years.

Below, we’re going to break down the five classes of Illinois felonies, focusing on Class X felonies and the consequences you could face if convicted of a crime in this category.

If you are facing one of these severe charges, your best chance at a positive outcome is to consult with a knowledgeable Chicago criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Five Classes of Felonies in Illinois

In Illinois, there are five classes of felonies, in addition to first-degree murder:

  • Class 4: Class 4 felonies are the least-severe, and are punishable by 1-3 years of incarceration, with the possibility of an additional 3-6 years. Class 4 felonies include aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, domestic battery, stalking, and dog fighting.
  • Class 3: Class 3 felonies are punishable by 2-5 years of incarceration, with a potential extended term of 5-10 years. Common examples of Class 3 felonies include aggravated battery, involuntary manslaughter, perjury, incest, and aggravated stalking.
  • Class 2: A class 2 felony carries a prison sentence of 3-7 years, with a potential extended term of 7-14 years. Common examples of Class 2 felonies are some forms of arson, bribery, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, burglary, and kidnapping.
  • Class 1: A Class 1 felony has a prison sentence of 4-15 years, with a possible extended sentence of 15-30 years. Common Class 1 felonies include residential discharge of a firearm, criminal sexual assault, residential burglary and vehicular hijacking.
  • Class X: This is the most severe class of felony, short of first-degree murder. A Class X felony is punishable by 6-30 years of incarceration, with a possible extended sentence of 30-60 years. Class X felonies are generally aggravated or armed offenses. For example, aggravated arson and armed robbery.

List of Class X Felonies in Illinois

Common Class X felonies include:

  • Home invasion
  • DUI (sixth or subsequent conviction)
  • Aggravated arson
  • Aggravated battery with a firearm
  • Aggravated battery of a child
  • Aggravated vehicular hijacking
  • Armed robbery
  • Aggravated rape
  • Other sex crimes such as aggravated criminal sexual assault
  • Certain offenses involving possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell (usually a large amount of substance)

The Severity of Illinois Class X Felonies

You already know that Class X felonies carry a mandatory penalty of incarceration from six to 30 years, with the possibility of up to 60 years if aggravating factors are present. That’s bad enough.

What you might not realize, though, is that they also come with a mandatory supervised release period of at least three years following completion of the sentence. Moreover, if you are convicted of a Class X felony, you cannot be sentenced to probation, regardless of the crime’s circumstances.

Also, that six-year minimum sentence is mandatory even for offenders with no prior criminal record. The Department of Corrections cannot release a Class X felony offender on conditional discharge before completion of the minimum sentence.

Illinois Class X Felony Lawyer

These charges are nothing to mess around with, and they have the potential to wreck your entire life. However, charges for a Class X felony do not equate to a conviction.

Depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense, a number of defense strategies may be available to help your case. The trick is in finding the right one for your specific situation and understanding how to effectively use it.

About the Author:

Andrew M. Weisberg is a former felony prosecutor who now serves as a defense attorney in the greater Chicago area. He has extensive experience in handling all types of criminal cases, from sex offenses and domestic violence to retail theft-related crimes, murder, and drug crimes.

Related

ShareTweetShareBuffer

RECENT POSTS

The Difference Between Assault and Aggravated Assault in Illinois

Nov 28, 2025

Read More

How Mental Health Defenses Work in Chicago Criminal Cases

Nov 19, 2025

Read More

Illinois Robbery vs. Burglary Charges: Understanding the Legal Differences and Penalties

Oct 31, 2025

Read More

When Chicago Police Violate Miranda Rights During Criminal Interrogations

Oct 29, 2025

Read More

Understanding Illinois Hate Crime Enhancement Penalties and Legal Defenses

Sep 26, 2025

Read More

How Body Camera Evidence Can Help Your Illinois Criminal Defense Case

Sep 22, 2025

Read More

Can You Raise Self-Defense to Your Assault Charges?

Sep 22, 2025

Read More

Do You Have to Register as a Sex Offender for a Sex Crime Charge?

Aug 20, 2025

Read More

Guide on the Criminal Justice Process in Chicago

Jul 29, 2025

Read More

What is Criminal Trespass Under Illinois Law?

Jul 1, 2025

Read More

CATEGORIES

  • 4th of July
  • 419 Fraud
  • Aggravated Assault
  • Aggravated Battery
  • Aggravated Criminal Assault
  • Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse
  • Aggravated Domestic Battery
  • Aggravated DUI
  • Aggravated Sexual Assault
  • Aggravating Factors
  • Arrest Procedures
  • Arson
  • Assault
  • Assault & Battery
  • Bail Bonds
  • Bank Fraud
  • Battery
  • Body Camera Evidence
  • Bribery
  • Burglary
  • Carjacking
  • CBD Oil
  • Check Fraud
  • Child Abuse
  • Child Pornography
  • Class X Felonies
  • Client & Attorney Confidentiality
  • Cocaine
  • Coronavirus/COVID-19
  • Counterfeiting
  • COVID-19
  • Criminal Defense
  • Criminal Lawyers
  • Criminal Property Damage
  • Criminal Record Sealing
  • Criminal Records
  • Criminal Records / History
  • Criminal Sexual Abuse
  • Criminal Sexual Assault
  • Criminal Trespass
  • Cyber Crimes
  • Cyberstalking
  • Delta 8
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Distracted Driving
  • Domestic Assault
  • Domestic Battery
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Crimes
  • Drug Paraphernalia
  • Drug Possession
  • Drug Testing
  • Drug Trafficking
  • DUI
  • Early Release
  • Embezzlement
  • Entrapment
  • Expungement
  • Expungement / Sealing Records
  • False Reports
  • Federal Criminal Law
  • Felonies
  • Fentanyl
  • Field Sobriety Test
  • Forcible Felony
  • Forgery
  • Fraud
  • Good Samaritan Overdose Law
  • Grand Theft Auto
  • Grooming
  • Gun Crimes
  • Halloween
  • Hate Crimes
  • Healthcare Fraud
  • Heroin
  • Home Invasion
  • Human Trafficking
  • Identity Theft
  • Illegal Fireworks
  • Illegal Pornography
  • Impact Incarceration Program
  • Indecent EXposure
  • Intent to Distribute
  • Involuntary Servitude
  • Jobs
  • Juvenile Crimes
  • Kidnapping
  • Law Of Accountability
  • Looting
  • Mail Theft
  • Manslaughter
  • Marijuana
  • Mental Health
  • Minor in Possession
  • Miranda Rights
  • Misdemeanors
  • Mistaken Identity
  • Motor Vehicle Theft
  • Murder
  • Mutual Combat
  • Operating a Vehicle With No License
  • Opioids
  • Order of Protection
  • Parole Violations
  • Plea Bargains
  • PPP Loan Fraud
  • Prescription Drug Crimes
  • Price Gouging
  • Prisoners Rights
  • Probation Violations
  • Property Crimes
  • Prostitution & Solicitation
  • Protective Orders
  • Protesting
  • Public Indecency
  • Public Intoxication
  • Pyrotechnic Use Act
  • Racketeering
  • Reckless Driving
  • Record Sealing
  • Residential Burglary
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Revenge Porn
  • Rioting
  • Robbery
  • Search and Seizure
  • Self Defense
  • Sex Crimes
  • Sex Offender Registration
  • Sex Trafficking
  • Sexting
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Sexual Assault
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Sexual Misonduct
  • Shoplifting / Retail Theft
  • Social Media
  • Stalking
  • Statute of Limitations
  • Statutory Rape
  • Tax Fraud
  • Technology
  • Theft
  • Title IX Violations
  • Traffic Violations
  • Trespassing
  • Uncategorized
  • Underage Drinking
  • United Center Arrests
  • Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
  • Vandalism
  • Vehicular Hijacking
  • Violent Crimes
  • Voter Fraud
  • Weapons Charges
  • White Collar Crimes
  • Wrongful Accusations

ARCHIVES

  • April 2012
  • May 2012
  • June 2012
  • July 2012
  • August 2012
  • September 2012
  • November 2012
  • January 2013
  • February 2013
  • March 2013
  • April 2013
  • May 2013
  • June 2013
  • July 2013
  • August 2013
  • October 2013
  • November 2013
  • December 2013
  • January 2014
  • February 2014
  • March 2014
  • April 2014
  • May 2014
  • June 2014

AS FEATURED ON

Our Blog

The Difference Between Assault and Aggravated Assault in Illinois

November 28, 2025 Aggravated Assault | Assault

In Illinois, the line between assault and aggravated assault often comes down to the presence of aggravating factors. While both offenses involve actions that place someone in fear of immediate harm, aggravated assault includes elements that make the conduct more harmful. If you are faced with an assault charge, a Chicago criminal defense lawyer can explain these distinctions and their consequences. The legal team at the Law Offices of Andrew Weisberg can assist you in separating the two cases and [...]

Read more

How Mental Health Defenses Work in Chicago Criminal Cases

November 19, 2025 Criminal Defense | Mental Health

Mental health plays an increasingly recognized role in Illinois criminal law. When someone charged with a crime in Chicago has a diagnosed mental health condition or psychological disorder, it can significantly affect how the case proceeds. From investigation through sentencing, mental illness can influence criminal responsibility, competency, and potential sentencing outcomes.

At the Law Offices of Andrew Weisberg, our team understands the complex connection between mental health and criminal defense. As an experienced Chicago criminal defense lawyer, Attorney Weisberg provides [...]

Read more View All Lincoln Park

2502 N. Clark St, Suite 201

Chicago

IL

60614

(773) 908-9811 Skokie

10024 Skokie Blvd. Suite 210

Skokie

IL

60077

(847) 350-1266 Loading Comments... Write a Comment... Email (Required) Name (Required) Website

Tag » What Is A Class X Felony