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.