Chicago Theft Attorney

If you or a loved one has been arrested for theft, contact our firm today to schedule an in-office consultation with our Chicago theft attorneys. Our phone number is (312) 466-9466.

There are many types of theft under Illinois law, such as theft by deception, theft by a lessee, theft of lost or mislaid property, theft of labor or services, identity theft and retail theft. All of these offenses involve someone taking something that does not belong to them, such as property, services or information. Theft can be a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the amount of loss and prior convictions.

Some of the most common defenses to theft include; (1) that the defendant is the actual owner of the property; (2) that he paid for the property or service; or (3) that he did not take the property or never received the service. It is not unheard of for unscrupulous contractors to file a charge of theft of labor or services when a consumer refuses to pay for shoddy or incomplete work. What should be a civil dispute sometimes becomes a criminal charge. This can be an effective defense.

If you want to know what defenses you have, consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney like Steven R. Hunter. Call today to make an appointment.

Deferred Prosecution

Under select circumstances, those with theft charges can elect to participate in Deferred Prosecution, a program in which a defendant agrees to fulfill requirements of a 12-month probationary period. If all requirements are completed, the theft charges will be dropped. For more information on Deferred Prosecution, and to see if you are eligible for this program, please contact us.