by Attorney Eric D. PuryearThe Illinois crime of Forcible Detention is defined by 720 ILCS 5/10-4 as follows:
(a) A person commits the offense of forcible detention when he holds an individual hostage without lawful authority for the purpose of obtaining performance by a third person of demands made by the person holding the hostage, and
(1) the person holding the hostage is armed with a dangerous weapon as defined in Section 33A-1 of this Code, or
(2) the hostage is known to the person holding him to be a peace officer or a correctional employee engaged in the performance of his official duties.
(b) Forcible detention is a Class 2 felony under Illinois law.
A person facing a forcible detention charge in Illinois is well advised to exercise their right to remain silent and seek an attorney at once.