Chicago Theft and Retail Theft
A conviction for theft in Illinois can carry serious penalties even if only a small amount of property is involved. Under Illinois law, theft is defined as obtaining or using another individual’s property without permission. It is considered theft to threaten or deceive the owner in order to procure the property or to accept property that you know or can be expected to have a reasonable suspicion to believe has been stolen.
An arrest and conviction for any type of theft can result in fines, jail time and a criminal record that will follow you for the rest of your life. An experienced Chicago theft defense attorney will fight your theft charges with the goal of protecting your rights, your freedom and your future. Jeffry Mandell has been assisting individuals charged with theft in the Chicagoland area for more than 35 years. Mr. Mandell has extensive experience within the Illinois legal system and knows how to successfully defend against charges of theft and retail theft. Mr. Mandell will defend you against a variety of theft related offenses including:
- Theft
- Retail Theft or Shoplifting
- Burglary
- Auto Theft
- Possession of Stolen Property
- White Collar Crimes such as Fraud or Embezzlement
- Robbery or Armed Robbery
- Identity Theft
Chicago Theft Defense Attorney
Chicago criminal defense attorney Jeffry Mandell will listen carefully to the details of your case, inform you of your options, offer advice on the best way to proceed and prepare the strongest possible defense tailored to your case.
Jeffry Mandell will advise you if you should go to trial and try to win acquittal. While Mr. Mandell is always prepared to take your case to trial, you may qualify for a diversion program like theft school, in which you take classes and receive counseling. In return for completing theft school, the state will drop the charges against you.
Illinois Theft Penalties
A charge of theft does not have to involve property worth large sums to be considered a felony. If the property was taken from a person and its value is less then $300, then an arrest will result in a misdemeanor charge. A charge of theft in which the value of the property in question exceeds $300 is a felony and can result in significant fines and jail time. Do no let a felony theft conviction derail your life. You deserve a strong defense and a second chance.
Chicago Retail Theft Defense
You may be charged with retail theft, commonly known as shoplifting, if you are accused of taking property from a retail establishment. The standards for what constitutes a misdemeanor or a felony for the criminal charge of retail theft are stricter than those for theft. If the value of the property involved in a retail theft case is greater than $150, then the prosecution may charge you with a felony. Misdemeanor retail theft involves items worth less than $150.
Although any individual retail theft case may involve small amounts of property, retail establishments look at the accumulative effects of theft on their bottom lines, and will often aggressively pursue individuals they believe to have stolen from them. You deserve an attorney who will fight back with an aggressive defense to win a positive outcome for your case. Contact Jeffry Mandell today for a free consultation. You may call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
