Peoria Theft Crime Attorney

Illinois Theft Laws

According to the Illinois Compiled Statutes 720 ILCS 5/16-1, theft can occur anytime someone takes another person's property without their consent using means of deception, force or threat. These charges can lead to steep penalties including, fines, restitution and jail or prison time. The penalties you could face after being arrested and charged can vary depending on the number of goods stolen and the cost of the goods that were taken. If you have been arrested or a loved one is facing a criminal charge, you need to act quickly and retain the legal counsel of a Peoria criminal defense attorney from McCall Law Offices, P.C.

Contact our theft crime lawyer in Illinois to discuss your options.

Understanding Theft Charges in Illinois

The term "theft" covers a wide range of offenses that carry different penalties and sentencing guidelines.

• Larceny
  • This is a general term that can be used to describe robbery, fraud, theft and other similar crimes that involve the act of taking someone else's personal property with the intent to deprive the victim of their property
• Petty theft
  • Knowing taking, or taking control of someone else's property without their consent, through deception or by using threats.
    • "Petty" theft as opposed to felony theft involves property of less than $500 in value and is charged as a misdemeanor instead of a felony
• Shoplifting
  • Stealing from a merchant or trying to deprive a merchant of the full value of a retail item
  • It can include:
    • Taking or possessing an item without paying for it
    • Removing or altering a price tag or label
    • Moving a piece of merchandise to another pieces package
    • Under ringing merchandise
    • Lying about owning a piece of merchandise
  • Illinois (unlike most states) has specific harsher penalties for shoplifting than for other types of theft
• Burglary
  • Entering a house trailer, building, watercraft, aircraft, railroad car, or motor vehicle with the intent to commit a felony or theft
• Robbery
  • Taking another person's property by using or threatening to use force
• Carjacking (vehicular hijacking)
  • Using or threatening to use force to take a vehicle from someone who is immediately in possession of one

These are all considered theft crimes, but each crime carries very different punishments. For example, people who are found guilty of stealing something such as a T-shirt from a department store could face fines for a misdemeanor conviction, whereas people found guilty of breaking and entering to steal a computer could face years in jail and a felony offense. There are many factors that prosecutors take into consideration when handling these cases as well, such as the use of force, deadly weapons or threats to obtain the goods.

In most theft cases, the higher the value of the goods that were stolen, the more severe the penalties can be. Certain items carry enhanced charges and penalties, such as religious property or government documents. A conviction for theft crimes that happen on federal land also can lead to increased penalties. In the event that deadly force or a weapon was used in the course of the theft, such as in cases of breaking and entering or carjacking, you may be facing additional charges for assault or battery. If this is not your first offense, you could risk incurring harsher penalties or having your misdemeanor offense elevated to a felony.

Representation After an Arrest

If you or a loved one has been arrested for theft, you need to work with McCall Law Offices, P.C. right away. Our team of dedicated professionals stands ready to provide you with outstanding legal representation in your time of need. As trial attorneys with former experience in prosecution, we are confident that if your case does not settle outside of court, we can actively pursue a positive outcome for you at trial.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your situation, contact McCall Law Offices, P.C. right away and schedule a free case evaluation from a Peoria theft crime attorney as soon as possible.