The criminal defense attorneys at Giannola Legal LLC have years of experience helping residents of Cook County navigate the challenges of theft and retail theft charges.
Theft crimes can carry a wide variety of consequences, including fines and jail time. To protect yourself during legal proceedings, you need an attorney who is experienced in Illinois criminal law and willing to put the time and effort into building a solid defense strategy.
Don’t wait to seek legal representation. Reach out to our defense attorneys today to schedule your free case consultation.
Common Cook County Theft Charges
You can be charged with theft anytime you’re accused of taking someone’s property without their consent. Theft most commonly refers to retail theft, but it also encompasses other types of theft. Some of the most common theft charges in Illinois include:
- Retail Theft
- Auto Theft or Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle
- Burglary
- Identity Theft
- Online Theft
If you have questions about the penalties for theft, schedule a consultation with the attorneys at Giannola Legal LLC.
Can You Go to Jail for Retail Theft?—Possible Penalties
In the state of Illinois, retail theft is separated into categories based on the value of the property you are accused of stealing. In most cases, if what you’ve been accused of taking is under $300, you will face misdemeanor charges. However, if what you’re accused of taking is valued at more than $300, you will likely face more serious felony charges.
Although felony charges are more serious, you can still face fines and jail time of up to a year with misdemeanor charges and first-time theft charges. If you swapped price tags from items before buying them, this can also count as theft.
If you have a previous theft conviction or used an emergency exit during the alleged theft, your penalties may be higher. This is why it’s crucial to enlist the help of an experienced theft lawyer.
Do I Need a Lawyer For Theft?
Being convicted of a theft charge can lead to serious consequences, including community service, fines, and jail time. This makes it all the more crucial to have an experienced lawyer by your side to help you secure a positive outcome for your case.
Here are 3 more reasons you should retain a defense attorney:
Defend Against the State’s Lawyers
During legal proceedings, you’ll be facing prosecutors who are experts within their field. These attorneys understand what it takes to manipulate you into incriminating yourself or taking a plea deal that’s not in your best interest. You need an experienced lawyer to level the playing field and protect you from their agenda. The lawyers at Giannola Legal LLC are prepared to do just that.
Find the Right Strategy
You may think that you understand the events surrounding your case, but in reality, there are likely small details that affect your case in ways you don’t realize. Our lawyers will scrutinize your case and the relevant laws to come up with the most effective defense strategy. In some cases, these investigative efforts can make the difference between a conviction and dropped or reduced charges.
Protect Your Rights
Unfortunately, police officers have been known to violate constitutional rights during the arrest process and in the time leading up to your trial. Our lawyers will investigate the circumstances of your arrest to ensure your rights have been respected.
Should we find any violations, we will immediately ask the court to remove evidence that has been unlawfully collected. These types of examinations can help your case and the possibility of dropped charges.
Our Theft Defense Lawyers
The lawyers at Giannola Legal LLC are committed to providing open communication to build positive attorney-client relationships. We want you to completely understand the trajectory of your case, including the associated costs.
We know just how stressful it can be to navigate the legal system on your own. Our attorneys will be with you every step of the way to provide legal advice and to address your questions and concerns. In fact, once we are retained we promise to return every phone call and email within 48 business hours, so you never have to worry about what’s coming next.
As we build your defense, we work proactively to evaluate every detail of your case, no matter how small. In the courtroom, we find that being aggressive in our defense strategies is often the best approach. We are prepared to fight for you from the time of accusation through to trial and beyond.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Theft Attorney Near Me
If you’re facing criminal charges for theft, don’t wait to contact the law offices of Giannola Legal LLC. Our criminal defense lawyers proudly serve Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
Call us today at 630-600-5012 to schedule a free case consultation.
