A criminal sexual assault charge can be upgraded to aggravated sexual assault under certain circumstances. These may include:
- Committing sexual assault while armed with a firearm
- Discharging a firearm while committing the offense
- Displaying, using, or threatening to use a dangerous weapon while committing the offense
- Causing bodily harm to the victim
- If the victim was given a controlled substance without their knowledge or consent
- If the victim is physically or mentally disabled
- If the victim is 60 years of age or older
The full list of aggravating circumstances under which you can be charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault can be found here. If you have been accused of aggravated sexual assault, you should contact The Law Office of Purav Bhatt to receive expert legal representation from a team of skilled Chicago sexual abuse lawyers.