Court clarifies definition of ‘dating relationship’

Trial Notebook

By Steven P. Garmisa

Hoey & Farina

Posted February 18, 2021 11:45 AM

Acknowledging that there is some misleading language in appellate opinions on what qualifies as a “dating relationship” under the domestic battery section of the Criminal Code and the orders of protection provisions of the Domestic Violence Act, the 2nd District used Christopher D. Allen’s appeal from a domestic battery conviction to clarify that a dating relationship is, “at a minimum, an established relationship with a significant romantic focus” — but the word romantic is used “in a broad sense that encompasses both …

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