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Chicago Shoplifting Lawyer
Shoplifting may sound minor, but the penalties are anything but. Make sure your future is protected by seeking out a Chicago lawyer to help you fight your shoplifting charges.
We’ve all likely seen the signs about how shoplifting is a crime in many retail bathrooms and fitting rooms. However, we typically don’t think about the actual consequences of those charges until we’ve been accused of them. Unfortunately, those consequences can be dire.
If you’ve been accused of shoplifting, fighting your charges is important. At Chicago Trusted Attorneys, we know how much these charges can affect your family, your career, and your future, so we’ll help you take action against them. When you’re struggling with misdemeanor or even felony charges, you’ll need a Chicago shoplifting lawyer on your side.
Penalties for Shoplifting in Illinois
When you’re first accused of shoplifting, you might think that you may just be slapped with a fine and banned from the store. Unfortunately, shoplifting is typically taken much more seriously than that in Illinois.
The retail theft charges you’ll be facing will typically depend on the amount you’re charged with stealing. The more costly the items are, the more likely you are to face higher penalties.
At the lowest amount, you could still be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. If the amount you’re accused of stealing is less than $300, you’ll possibly serve up to a year in jail, as well as fines that could be as high as $2,500.
Worse, your charges could be more severe. If the value of the items is more than $300, or if this isn’t your first theft offense, your sentence may be bumped up to a Class 4 felony, which means you may be in prison for up to three years, if you’re not given an extended sentence.
Defending Yourself against Chicago Retail Theft Charges
When you’re accused of stealing from a store, you’ll need to be prepared with the right defense. Your Chicago lawyer can review your case and help you find the right defense.
Some of the more common defenses are that you didn’t intend to steal anything. You may not have realized you were still carrying something or had something in your cart, but you were still apprehended. In other cases, you may not have been the one stealing—they just stopped the wrong person.
When you’re deciding the best defense for your case, our attorneys can review the details of your case and help you get the answers you need.
Contact a Shoplifting Attorney in Chicago
If you’ve been arrested for shoplifting in Chicago, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Your future is on the line, and if you don’t fight back, you could be facing a year or more in jail, not to mention fines that could put you in debt for even longer.
You’ll need a lawyer from Chicago Trusted Attorneys to help you fight for a full dismissal of your charges. Our attorneys understand the situation you’re in, and we’ll help you fight back when you’re charged.
When you’re ready to face this with trusted legal guidance on your side, reach out to our Chicago shoplifting lawyers. To get started, give us a call at 312-519-3171 or fill out the following online form to begin.