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Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney
Former Cook County Felony Prosecutor

Category: Shoplifting / Retail Theft

Ways to Defend against an Illinois Shoplifting Charge

Shoplifting is common; so much so that many people see it as being no big deal. However, shoplifting is in fact a criminal offense taken very seriously by retailers and the state of Illinois.

Were you aware that shoplifting as little as $300 in merchandise is an automatic felony punishable by 2-5 years in prison? That’s an easy sum to reach these days — a couple of shirts and a nice bag, really.

Additionally, regardless of the value of items [...]

Can IL Property Crimes Become Violent Crimes? What’s the Difference?

Property crimes are some of the most common criminal offenses in Chicago. Property crime convictions are also ones that carry serious criminal consequences.

That said, facing conviction of a violent crime – one which involves the use of force or threat of force against another – can result in a punishment longer lasting and far more severe. This is generally because these crimes are considered to present a threat to public safety.

Sometimes, the two overlap.

An offender may intend [...]

Theft, Shoplifting, and the Two Felony Thresholds in Illinois

Petty theft and shoplifting are some of the most common criminal offenses. Because of this, you might think that the penalties would be minor.

However, a theft or shoplifting charge is actually quite serious – especially in Illinois.

Theft and shoplifting are penalized based on the value of goods allegedly stolen. Both offenses can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony, with felony-level offenses having much more severe consequences. A felony-level offense is almost always punishable by jail [...]

What Acts Count as Shoplifting in Illinois?

If you are accused of shoplifting in Illinois, you need to know what actually constitutes a charge in order to know how to fight back effectively.

 

Below, we’re going to explain the acts that count as shoplifting in our state, as well as what options you have to battle your charges.

 

Illinois Retail Theft: Acts that Count as Shoplifting

 

In Illinois, you can face criminal charges for taking, possessing, carrying, or transferring any retail merchandise with an [...]

Tech Designed to Stop Chicagoans from Stealing

Companies are using new high-tech methods to stop people from stealing. In this post, we’ll tell you about these methods and describe what penalties you can face for getting caught.

 

High Tech Theft Deterrent Methods

 

In 2015 alone, retailers took over $45 billion in losses due to shoplifting. Now, stores are working harder than ever to prevent those losses with new methods.

 

Here are several cutting-edge technologies that companies are using to prevent people from stealing.

 [...]

Our Blog

Understanding Illinois Hate Crime Enhancement Penalties and Legal Defenses

Hate Crimes

In Chicago, Illinois, hate crimes are treated with heightened severity due to their impact on individuals and communities. A hate crime enhancement can significantly increase penalties for offenses motivated by bias against specific protected characteristics. If you are facing such charges in Chicago, you can explore the legal framework and available defenses to protect your rights and achieve a fair outcome. A criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of Andrew Weisberg in Chicago, knows how these enhancements work and [...]

How Body Camera Evidence Can Help Your Illinois Criminal Defense Case

Body Camera Evidence | Criminal Defense

Police body cameras are transforming criminal cases in Chicago. What was once a battle of witness statements and memory now often comes down to what the camera captured. This objective footage can expose flaws in the prosecution’s version of events or support your defense.

At the Law Offices of Andrew Weisberg, a trusted Chicago criminal defense lawyer, we know how to access, interpret, and use body camera evidence to protect your rights and strengthen your case.

Understanding Body Camera Evidence[...]