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Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney
Former Cook County Felony Prosecutor

Category: Theft

What You Need to Know about Illinois Looting Laws

The recent natural disasters in Texas and Florida have high costs attached to them. One of the highest costs is due to looting.

 

When Hurricane Harvey passed over Texas, looters allegedly broke into vacated homes and businesses to pilfer valuables. Fourteen individuals were charged with looting in the Houston area only days after the hurricane hit land. They will face additional charges for crimes committed during a crisis, according to a statement by the Harris County District Attorney.

 [...]

Know the Consequences If Your Chicago Teen Is Charged with Stealing

Stealing or shoplifting is one of the most common teenage crimes.

 

According to statistics put out by the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, 25 percent of shoplifters are kids, and 55 percent of adult shoplifters say they got started in their teens.

 

Knowing this, it’s good to be prepared – as a parent – in the event that your Chicago teen is charged with stealing. Let’s review the theft laws here in Illinois and what the consequences might [...]

Past Theft Convictions Can Put You Behind Bars for Decades

How much time in prison would you receive from stealing a remote? A few days? Months? No jail time at all?

 

What about 22 years?

 

This is the case for Eric Bramwell, 35, of Illinois. Back in August of 2015, the man stole a universal remote from an apartment building. He left a glove at the scene and DNA evidence traced the theft back to him.

 

Like a shoplifter suffering from kleptomania, Bramwell has a history of [...]

Robbery vs Theft: The Differences and the Consequences

If you get caught stealing, you could be charged with theft.

 

If you get caught stealing, you could be charged with robbery.

 

Wait, what?

 

Robbery and theft may seem like different terms for the same action. And in a way, they are. But there are big differences.

 

If you get charged with theft in Illinois, you can thank your lucky stars you weren’t charged with robbery. Under Illinois state law, the two are completely different crimes [...]

Illinois Has One of the Lowest Felony Theft Thresholds in the U.S.

If you are convicted of theft of over $300 in our state, you will be convicted of a Class 4 felony.

 

That’s right – $300 is all it takes. And a Class 4 felony isn’t anything to sneeze at, either. Penalties can include one to three years in prison.

 

And if you are incarcerated (Class 4 felons in Illinois spend, on average, 7 months in prison), you will arrive to an overcrowded prison, where around 40% of your [...]

Our Blog

Can Shoplifting Be a Felony in Illinois?

Felonies | Shoplifting / Retail Theft

Yes, shoplifting can be charged as a felony in Illinois, and the Law Offices of Andrew Weisberg can help you protect your future. Even a small mistake at a store can lead to serious legal trouble that follows you for years.

If you were stopped or arrested for shoplifting, talk to a Chicago, IL criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Andrew Weisberg. Getting legal help now can make a real difference in how your case plays out.

What[...]

Potential Long-Term Effects of a Criminal Record

Criminal Records / History

A criminal record can change the course of your life in ways you might never expect. In fact, studies show that nearly 70 million Americans have a criminal record, which can affect everything from jobs to housing—even years after a case ends. Whether it’s from a one-time mistake or a misunderstanding, having a criminal record can follow you long after the case is over.

If you’re worried about what this means for your future, you’re not alone—and there’s help available.[...]