Many people are unaware of the legal difference between theft and burglary because the terms are routinely used interchangeably. In reality, these criminal offenses are two different things under Illinois law and have their own unique legal elements. Moreover, theft and burglary have different types of penalties set out by law. If you are charged [...]
What Is Shoplifting? Shoplifting, also referred to as retail theft, is generally defined as the act of stealing items from a retail store without paying for them. It's considered a criminal offense under Illinois law and can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony – depending on the circumstances. In this article, we take [...]
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 [...]
Students Charged with Retail Theft Chicago has numerous colleges throughout the city. Because of the numerous college campuses in the city, Chicago is flooded with students from across the world here studying to receive a world-class education. One of the most common criminal charges that college age students approach me with is retail theft. Chicago [...]
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 Whether [...]
chicago shoplifting lawyer Cook County and the Chicago area are above national averages in all criminal statistics and especially theft crimes. With the population size and diversity of communities, the variety of crime and frequency of offenses is high. Theft Crimes are Some of the Most Perpetrated Crimes in Cook County. Theft crimes [...]
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 [...]
Chicago Criminal Lawyer Purav Bhatt explains the difference between theft (720 ILCS 5/16-1) and robbery (720 ILCS 5/18-1). To many of my clients, the offenses of robbery and theft seem identical because both involve the taking of other people’s property without their permission or consent. However, they are separate and different crimes in Illinois and therefore are prosecuted differently. The best way to understand the [...]
The answer to this question depends on many factors such as your criminal background, the amount of the theft, any mitigating circumstances and other facts surrounding your arrest. In Illinois under 720 ilcs 5/16-25, the severity of the punishment will depend on whether you have been charged with a felony or misdemeanor offense. Whether you will be charged with a felony or misdemeanor offense will depend [...]
