A common charge seen in the Illinois circuit courts is retail theft and, to a lesser degree, theft (720 ILCS 5/16-1). The defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Davis & LaScola frequently represent clients charged with theft and retail theft throughout the Chicagoland area.

Retail theft is a more common charge because it involves an allegation of taking merchandise past the last point of purchase from any of the various retail establishments that populate Illinois. The penalties for retail theft in Illinois were adjusted as of January 1, 2011. When the merchandise has a total value under $300.00, the charge is filed as a Class A Misdemeanor. Class A Misdemeanors are punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. For merchandise that’s value exceeds $300.00, the prosecutor can charge the matter as a felony.

Theft from an individual is charged as a Class A Misdemeanor if the item(s) value is under $500.00. If the value exceeds $500.00, the theft can be charged as a felony by the prosecution. Theft from a school, place of worship or government property of up to $500 in value may be charged as a Class 4 Felony. The dollar amounts indicated include the total value of goods obtained by the defendant as part of a series of acts with the necessary mental state, whether continuous or intermittent, over a period of one year.

In theft cases, court supervision, as well as the other available conviction sentences, are potential sentencing options after a plea of guilty or a finding of guilty after a trial. Feel free to contact our criminal lawyers to discuss your case. Our experienced attorneys will provide you with the representation you deserve.