Belleville Theft and Stealing Attorney

Illinois categorizes theft into different classes based on the value of property stolen and other circumstances. Charges range from misdemeanors to severe felonies.

The main theft crimes and classifications in IL include:

• Retail Theft – Shoplifting or stealing from a store. Up to a Class 3 felony, depending on value.
• General Theft – Taking someone’s property without consent. Class A misdemeanor up to Class X felony based on theft amount and if force was used.
• Identity Theft – Using someone’s personal/financial information illegally. Typically a Class 3 or 4 felony.
• Theft by Deception – Stealing through scams, cons, or false promises. Class A misdemeanor up to Class 1 felony.

Penalties grow harsher as the theft classification increases, as shown in the chart below:

Theft Charge	Classification	Penalties
Less than $500	Class A Misdemeanor	Up to 1-year jail, $2,500 fine
$500-$10,000	Class 3 or 4 Felony	2-5 years prison, $25k fine
$10,000-$100,000	Class 2 Felony	3-7 years prison, $25k fine
Over $100,000	Class 1 or X Felony	4-30 years prison, $25k fine

Knowingly stealing anything, regardless of monetary value, carries risks in Illinois. Potential penalties plus criminal records warrant fully understanding theft laws.

Crafting a Potent Defense Against Theft Allegations

When facing theft accusations in Illinois, mounting an assertive legal defense is vital for avoiding harsh penalties. As your attorneys, we leverage our extensive experience defending these cases to uncover every opportunity, exposing flawed evidence, truthful alibis, and proof of no criminal intent.

Defense strategies may include:

• Establishing you had no criminal intent, just an honest misunderstanding
• Carefully examining the surveillance, which is often not nearly as clear as law enforcement and theft prevention officers make it out to be
• Providing documents verifying the property owner consented to your access
• Authenticating paperwork confirming your lawful ownership
• Exposing procedural violations and flaws in evidence collection
• Disproving exaggerated claims of financial harm
• Enlisting witness statements attesting to your integrity and truthfulness
• Leveraging our relationships with prosecutors to negotiate charge reductions

Theft charges harm reputations, so such cases demand experienced criminal defense counsel. We know how to establish reasonable doubt regarding intent by spotlighting context and authorization. Schedule a case review so we can start implementing the optimal proofs for defeating allegations.

Why It’s Critical to Have an Experienced Attorney in Your Corner

Defending against criminal charges takes skill. Here’s how an attorney can help:

• We Know the Local Courts and Prosecutors — Having handled thousands of cases in the St. Louis area, we understand intricacies in Metro East’s courts that outsiders don’t. This insider knowledge helps us better predict outcomes and pursue optimal resolutions.
• We’ll Thoroughly Investigate and Build Your Defense — Every case has strengths and weaknesses. We dig deep to understand circumstances, then construct a meticulous argument to dismiss or reduce charges.
• We Protect Your Rights — During investigations, proper procedures must be followed. Illegally obtained evidence can be thrown out. We ensure your rights are protected.

The stakes are high – your future hangs in the balance. Have an experienced Belleville attorney beside you advocating for your best interests.

Our IL Stealing Attorneys Are There When You Need Us

With an office by appointment in Belleville, we’re conveniently located and available when needed. We also meet by video conference or telephone. Most importantly, we’re here to listen and defend you.

You can’t go it alone against prosecutors aiming to convict, and conscientious judges will not let you represent yourself. Contact us for a consultation with an attorney. Our knowledge of local courts and prosecutors, combined with decades of experience building winning defense strategies, can get your charges reduced or dismissed.

Call us today so you can start moving forward.