Many people use the words theft and burglary interchangeably, but under Illinois law they are two distinct criminal offenses, each with its own legal elements and its own penalties. If you have been charged with either one, understanding the difference is the starting point for understanding what you are facing.Illinois law treats theft and [...]
Self-Defense Is a Legal Right in Illinois, But It Is Not a Free Pass You defended yourself. Maybe you defended your family. And now you are the one facing criminal charges, possibly aggravated battery or something even more serious. It feels backward, but it happens constantly. In the moment, police and prosecutors often cannot [...]
Theft and Robbery Both Involve Taking Property, But Illinois Law Treats Them Very Differently The Core Legal Distinction Under Illinois law, theft, burglary, and robbery are all property crimes, but they are defined and prosecuted differently based on how the crime occurs. Theft is the unauthorized control or taking of someone else's property with [...]
People v. CT (Chicago, Illinois) The Law Office of Purav Bhatt, P.C. was retained to represent a young person accused of shoplifting at a store in Chicago. At the first court appearance in August 2024, attorney Purav Bhatt appeared with the client and demanded trial as he had already completely prepared the case. The [...]
PEOPLE V T.R. T.R., was charged with the retail theft of well over $1500 in merchandise over the course of multiple months. Through negotiations with the Police Department first, and then with prosecutors, Attorney Bhatt was successful in T.R. avoiding convictions of both misdemeanor or felony offenses in violation of 720 ILCS 5/16-1. T.R. was [...]
People of Illinois vs. K.L Charge: Felony Retail Theft +$500 Outcome: Case dismissed Defendant, along with co-defendant were arrested at O'Hare international airport and accused of taking several hundred dollars worth of cologne from duty-free stores. Attorney Purav Bhatt established that his clients were never in possession of the stolen items and the items were [...]
Theft Penalties theft attorney I represent many clients who have been charged with theft. Whether this theft was a one-time act or whether the theft occurred over the course of time, the value of what was taken will determine the possible penalties for theft and sentences one may receive. Class A Misdemeanor [...]
residential burglary 720 ILCS 5/19-3 Residential Burglary is a class 1 Felony. It is punishable by 4-15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. It is non-probationable. I have included the statute below for your reference. Your best route to avoid certain incarceration is to hire counsel and attempt to have the charge [...]
When I represent clients being charged with the offense of retail theft or shoplifting I am inevitably asked about a letter each of them receives from the legal representative of the store, oftentimes before their first court date, from which they are accused to committing the retail theft or shoplifting offense. The law in Illinois regarding civil liability [...]
