Laws are put in place to deter people from committing crimes that could harm others, themselves, or property. Depending on the nature of the offense, the criminal charges and subsequent penalties can be significant. In particular, violent crimes are treated differently than other criminal offenses, often carrying more severe punishments. However, in some cases, people may not even realize that certain actions constitute a crime, thus inadvertently committing them. For instance, “reckless conduct” is considered a violent crime in Illinois, but some may not even understand what actions can result in this type of criminal charge.    

How Is Reckless Conduct Defined?

Violent crimes can refer to a range of criminal offenses such as battery, sexual assault, armed robbery, firearm violations, and more. One such violent crime in Illinois is reckless conduct, which is also known as reckless endangerment. According to Illinois law, reckless conduct is committed when someone recklessly performs an act or acts that cause bodily harm to or endanger the safety of another person, or that cause great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to another individual. 

It is important to note that several reckless conduct acts warrant their own charge. For instance, the criminal transmission of HIV occurs when a person diagnosed with HIV knowingly participates in unprotected sex or donates blood, thus risking the lives of others. Another example is criminal housing management, which occurs when a building owner or manager fails to maintain safe conditions for his or her tenants. Common carrier recklessness can be prosecuted if an individual endangers the safety of others while operating a mode of transportation such as a bus, train, or taxi cab.

Many different acts constitute criminal offenses in Illinois. In order to convict someone of a crime, however, there must be evidence that proves he or she committed the act. This proof often comes from items, fingerprints, or photographs taken at the scene of the alleged crime. The most common reason why evidence is suppressed, and charges are reduced or dismissed altogether, is due to an illegal search and seizure by police. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you determine if the evidence in your case was obtained through a legal search warrant. 

Different Types of Search Warrants 

The Federal Constitution’s Fourth Amendment gives Americans the right to “reasonable” search and seizures of a person and his or her property. The fundamental purpose of this legislation is to protect citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by governmental officials.