Chicago Theft Attorney
If you would like to reach Mr. Weisberg quickly and directly, please call his cell phone 24/7 at (773) 908-9811 or Text LAWYER to 25827 for prompt call back. The consultation is free.
Illinois state law defines the offense or charge of theft (720 ILCS 5/16-1) as the act of taking possession of another individual’s property without the owner’s consent or via deception or force. Theft charges or Larceny crimes may also be filed when an individual is accused of possessing items he knows have been stolen or taking possession of/using without consent the property of a law enforcement officer.
Theft charges in Chicago and Illinois vary in severity, based on the details of a particular case. In the most severe circumstances, theft convictions can carry up to 30-year prison sentences without the possibility of probation.
The Law Offices of Andrew M. Weisberg has extensive experience defending the rights of those accused of theft in Chicago.
Mr. Weisberg and his staff are dedicated to:
- Cultivating personalized attorney-client relationships
- Examining all facts and evidence of a case to find inaccuracies, fallacies and/or illegalities in the case against you
- Compiling and presenting all evidence supporting our clients’ claims
- Providing first-class representation in all necessary legal proceedings
- Helping clients resolve their case efficiently and with the best possible outcomes
Types of Theft Charges in Chicago | Cook County Illinois
The specific type of theft charge filed in a case will depend on:
- The type of property taken
- The value of the property stolen
- Where the alleged theft occurred (i.e. the Internet, a retail store, etc.).
Types of theft criminal charges commonly filed in Chicago, Cook County and surrounding cities or Metro Area include, but are not limited to:
- Theft (720 ILCS 5/16-1), an offense or charge in which someone knowingly takes property from another party without the owner’s consent. Generally, more severe theft charges are filed when property is stolen from a person and/or the property taken is high in value. When theft occurs in a school, government building or a place of worship, maximum sentences for theft charges will be filed, and convictions can be punishable by up to 30 years of prison time. As you might imagine, the more you steal, the higher the level of offense. For example, a basic theft not exceeding $300 will generally be charged as a misdemeanor. A theft over $300 will generally be charged as a felony. As the theft amount rises, so to does the severity of the possible punishment. For example, theft of over $100,000 from a school or governmental agency is a Class X felony, punishable by up to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
- Identity theft (720 ILCS 5/16G-15) and aggravated identity theft (720 ILCS 5/16G-20) (new statute – 720 ILCS 5/16-30), charges or offenses in which an individual intentionally uses, takes or manufactures the personal identification documents of another person. Identify theft charges will vary in severity depending on the value of property obtained during the act of identity theft. In the most severe cases, identity theft convictions can carry up to 30 years prison time.
- Retail theft or shoplifting (720 ILCS 5/16-25 or 720 ILCS 5/16A-3), a charge or offense in which someone steals property from a retail store. Also known as shoplifting, retail theft may be filed as a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the value of property taken and the defendant’s criminal record. Generally, retail theft cases where the merchandise taken does not exceed $300 will be charged as a misdemeanor (unless the person has a prior theft conviction). While convictions for misdemeanor retail theft or shoplifting charges may result in as much as 364 days of jail time and $2500 in fines, a felony conviction for retail theft may be punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
Another common Illinois crime is forgery (720 ILCS 5/17-3). Forgery is a charge or offense that involves making or altering a document with intent to defraud another person. The most common forgery charge involves signing another person’s name on a check without the person’s permission. Forgery is a Class 3 felony that is punishable by from 2-5 years prison time in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Deceptive practices (720 ILCS 5/17-1) is a broad category of Illinois charges and offenses that usually involves a person causing a bank or other financial institution to accept or execute a negotiable document. The most common example of deceptive practices in Chicago and the suburbs is where a person presents a check on an account that the person knows to be closed. Depending on many factors, deceptive practices can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony. Whether charges as a felony or misdemeanor, the suspect faces the real possibility of jail time or prison time.
Almost all of the theft related charges discussed above are serious offenses that can leave the person with a permanent and harmful criminal record. Every day it seems Mr. Weisberg get calls from people who cannot obtain a good job because of some sort of theft conviction on their record. The good news is that a highly knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer will understand ways that even very serious theft related charges can eventually be cleared from a person’s criminal record. These options must be pursued at the beginning of the case. Mr. Weisberg can speak with you directly to determine your best course of action. Please contact theft defense lawyer, Andrew Weisberg today for a free consultation.
When arrested for and facing serious criminal charges, it is critical to find a great criminal defense lawyer who is at the top of his profession. Finding an experienced criminal defense attorney is the best thing you can do to protect your reputation and avoid jail time or prison time. Mr. Weisberg handles all felony and misdemeanor charges in all Cook County courthouses including Chicago (and all branch courts), Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood (Maybrook), Bridgeview and Markham.
If you or a loved one has recently been charged with theft in Chicago, consult with Mr. Weisberg and his staff to learn more about your legal rights. He will examine the details of your case and fight to resolve your case favorably.
If you would like to reach Mr. Weisberg quickly and directly, please call his cell phone 24/7 at (773) 908-9811 or Text LAWYER to 25827 for prompt call back. The consultation is free.
