Senate Bill 2488, sponsored by State Senator Larry Bomke (R-Springfield), has now been signed into law. The new law raises the penalty for aggravated assault against a police officer from a misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony.
“With the signing of this bill into law, we are giving our men and women who serve our communities extra protection against those that wish them harm,” Bomke said. “The more stringent penalties will bring justice and protect our front line law enforcement officers.”
During testimony in the Senate, Chatham police officer Adam DeJaynes, gave details of a situation he faced while on duty.
“Officer DeJaynes was confronted by a man that tried to attack him with a deadly weapon,” Bomke said. “After DeJaynes gained control of the situation and placed the assailant under arrest he realized that he could only charge him with a misdemeanor.”
If a similar situation were to occur under the new law, the attacker could be charged with Class 4 felony that comes with a penalty of up to 3 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine.
“We will now be able to achieve our goal of making our streets and law enforcement officers safer,” Bomke said. “The new penalty better fits the crime of aggravated assault on a police officer.”
The increased penalty will go into effect January 1, 2011.
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