Chicago Theft Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with a crime in Chicago, you owe it to yourself to obtain the best criminal defense representation possible.

To learn more about your legal rights, contact the Law Offices of Andrew M. Weisberg today.

All initial consultations are FREE of charge.

Illinois state law defines theft as the act of taking possession of another individual's property without the owner's consent or via deception or force. Theft charges 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 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 in exchange for jail time.

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

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 charges commonly filed in the Chicago area include:

• Theft, 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 buildings or a place of worship, maximum sentences for theft charges will be filed, and convictions can be punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
• Identity theft, 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 in prison.
• Online theft, in which a person uses the Internet to intentionally defraud another of his property (typically by using a fake or stolen method of payment). If the value of the stolen property is less than $150, the charge is considered a Class 4 felony, and a conviction can result in 1 to 3 years in prison. If the stolen goods are valued over $150, the charge is a Class 2 felony, and may be punishable by 3 to 7 years in prison.
• Retail theft, in which someone steals a piece of 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. While convictions for misdemeanor retail theft charges may result in as much as 1 year in jail and $2500 in fines, a felony conviction for retail theft may be punishable by up to 3 years in prison.

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.