Chicago Theft Attorney
Whether your theft charge is only a class A misdemeanor or a class X felony, working with an expert Chicago theft attorney is crucial. And if you work with us at Chicago Criminal Defense Attorneys, it’s possible that you’ll get the minimum possible penalty or be able to avoid a conviction altogether.
Our criminal defense lawyers are all certified, thoroughly trained, and 100% passionate about providing high-quality legal service. We have in-depth knowledge of Illinois theft laws and have successfully handled countless theft cases with varying complexities.
With our experience, knowledge, and attention to detail, we can defend you against your theft charge as effectively as possible. Our theft attorney will evaluate your case meticulously and personalize the most suitable defense strategy for you.
Talk to us as soon as you know you’re being charged with a theft crime! We’ll handle all the paperwork required and proactively represent you in every legal proceeding.
Call Chicago Criminal Defense Attorneys today at (312) 634-6529 for your Initial Consultation with a Chicago Theft attorney!
What is Theft in Chicago, Illinois?
According to 720 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/16-1(a), theft was committed if the accused has knowingly done the following:
- Acquires or exercises unauthorized control over someone else’s property
- Acquires control over someone else’s property through deception
- Acquires control over someone else’s property by using threats
- Acquires control over a stolen property despite knowing that it was stolen or despite having a reasonable cause to believe that the property was stolen
- Acquires or exercises authority over property held by a law enforcement agency or their representatives, where they explicitly inform the individual that the property was stolen or provide information leading them to reasonably believe it was stolen.
Moreover, theft crimes can be classified as violent or non-violent. Non-violent theft crimes are acts of only stealing another’s property. On the other hand, violent theft crimes involve using force, a weapon, or the threat to use such force or weapon to steal. Violent theft crimes often combine theft charges and assault or battery.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your alleged crime, you must work with our Chicago theft attorney as soon as possible. This will give us more time to study your case and build a solid defense to mitigate your situation.
Expert Lawyers Specializing in Different Forms of Theft in Illinois
Our Chicago, IL law firm has been providing criminal defense services for many years. This gave us a lot of experience handling all kinds of theft cases. So, no matter your specific theft crime, trust that our Chicago theft attorney can help you attain the most favorable outcome possible for your case.
Here are some of the common forms of theft in Illinois wherein our defense lawyers are always ready to help you:
Retail Theft or Shoplifting
Retail theft occurs when an individual, fully aware and with the purpose of gaining possession of, utilizing, or profiting from the merchandise, does so without paying the full retail price. Additional penalties may be imposed if your retail theft crime is charged as “theft by the emergency exit.”
Identity Theft
Identity theft is using another individual’s personal information (e.g., name, social security number, bank account number) without permission to acquire goods and services or to commit fraud or theft.
Auto Theft or Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle
Auto theft is any situation where an individual is accused of receiving, concealing, selling, transferring, or possessing a vehicle or essential vehicle parts despite knowing that these items are stolen. This is often charged as a class 2 felony.
Burglary
This is a class 1 felony that is described to be any of the following acts done by the perpetrator:
- Entered or remained in someone else’s residence without authority
- Entered or remained in another’s residence with the intention to steal or commit a felony act
- Illegally entered another’s residence to commit theft or other felony through deception, including pretending to be someone else.
Online Theft
Also referred to as Onlife Theft by Deception or Online Internet Theft, this crime occurs when someone uses the Internet to deceive a buyer or seller, causing them to lose their belongings or funds. This can be a class 4 or class 2 felony.
Penalties for Theft in Illinois
The penalty for each theft case will depend on the total amount involved and the incident’s circumstances. Factors like using a weapon or force to steal, stealing from a church, stealing from an elderly, or stealing government property can all worsen the penalties for convicted thieves.
To give you a bit of an idea, here are the possible penalties for theft in Illinois:
- Class A Misdemeanor – You may face 1 year of jail time and pay no more than $2,500 in fines.
- Class 4 Felony – A possibility of 1 to 3 years of jail time and a maximum of $25,000 in fines.
- Class 3 Felony – A possible 2- to 5-year prison sentence and a maximum of $25,000 in fines.
- Class 2 Felony – A possible 3- to 7-year prison sentence and a maximum of $25,000 in fines.
- Class 1 Felony – A possibility of 4 to 15 years of jail time and a maximum of $25,000 in fines.
- Class X Felony – A possible prison sentence of 6 to 30 years and a maximum of $25,000 in fines.
Keep in mind that even minor convictions can still affect your future opportunities. School admission officers, landlords, and employers may reject you due to your criminal record. So, to avoid conviction as much as possible, work with our Chicago theft attorney.
We can effectively lead you on what legal actions to take. We aim to clear your name of any charge. But if that’s not possible, the next best thing we’ll help you achieve is reducing your penalties to the minimum.
Possible Defenses Against Theft Charges
At Chicago Criminal Defense Attorneys, we’ve had enough professional experience to know that there is no one-size-fits-all defense for all criminal charges. So, if you acquire our legal service as you face a theft charge, trust that our Chicago criminal defense lawyer will carefully personalize a defense strategy that suits your specific circumstances.
We will conduct a thorough evaluation of your case so we can consider all existing evidence (if there’s any) against you and all the defense options available to you. Once we’ve planned out the best defensive course for your case, we will carefully gather all pieces of evidence and testimonies that will solidify your defense.
Included in the possible defenses that we can use against theft charges are the following:
Lack of intent to steal
We can argue that you didn’t have the intention to steal. It can be that you simply borrowed the item, mistook it as yours, or incorrectly assumed that the owner gave you permission to take it.
Insufficient evidence
We can claim that there’s insufficient evidence proving that you stole the item. Or if the evidence was acquired through an illegal search and seizure, we can prove that it’s inadmissible in court.
Duress or entrapment
We can also prove that you only committed the crime under duress (i.e., you were forced to steal using threat and intimidation) or entrapment (i.e., you were convinced by an undercover police officer.
Mistaken identity
Another defense that we can use is to prove that the prosecutor got the wrong defendant. We may provide evidence that you were somewhere else during the crime and a witness mistook you for the thief.
Why Work with Our Expert Chicago Theft Attorney
Criminal defense is where Chicago Criminal Defense Attorneys excels. Our skilled lawyers are well-versed in Illinois criminal law and can defend you against almost all types of criminal charges—theft being one of them.
Whether you’re only facing a misdemeanor or a grave felony charge, our defense lawyers are ready to represent you. We work in an efficient and proactive manner, ensuring that your rights are safeguarded and that your best interests are put forward as the legal proceeding takes place.
With our help, you will have a better shot at getting your charges dropped, having evidence against you dismissed, or reducing your penalties to the minimum. Whichever is the most favorable outcome for your case, that is what we’ll aim for.
Our defense lawyer will handle all the legal aspects that you’ll need to get done. All you have to do is tell us all the details of your case, disclose previous run-ins with the law, and prepare emotionally and mentally for your court appearance. We will handle the paperwork, file motions, gather evidence, and represent you in every legal procedure.
Talk To Our Legal Experts Today
If you’re being accused of a theft crime, contact our Chicago theft defense attorney right away. We offer an initial case assessment and will give you a clear idea of what to expect, both in the legal process and in possible penalties.
Call Chicago Criminal Defense Attorneys today at (312) 634-6529 for your Initial Consultation with a Chicago Theft attorney!