Theft Attorneys in Illinois

If you’ve been charged with theft or larceny in Illinois, you should:
- understand how the crime is defined in Illinois, what you are being charged with,
- understand the possible penalties if you are convicted,
- schedule a consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney and be prepared for the consultation.

What is theft and larceny in Illinois?
In Illinois, theft is defined as taking someone's property without his or her consent. The most common charge of this type is retail theft – stealing merchandise from a retail store or business establishment. It can also be done by deception – that is, purposely obtaining another’s property via deceptive means. Also, if you obtain services from another person via threat or coercion, that can be considered theft.

Larceny is a form of theft and involves the taking of another’s property without his or her consent but usually involves property of great value, such as a vehicle as opposed to a pack of cigarettes. Stealing a pack of cigarettes would constitute theft while stealing a car would likely constitute larceny.

What are the possible penalties?
In Illinois, misdemeanor theft carries a potential jail sentence of up to 364 days as well as heavy fines. Felony theft carries a potential prison term of several years.

How should I prepare for a consultation with a criminal defense attorney?
Go over in your head the facts of what happened and be prepared to tell your attorney. There is an attorney client privilege – meaning your attorney cannot be forced to tell anyone what you’ve told him. If possible, provide the names and contact information of any and all witnesses. If possible, provide the names of all arresting officers.

What do I do if the police want to talk to me?
Say nothing. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Take that to heart. Talking does nothing, but help build a case against you, even when you are innocent. If you have talked you need to stop.

Where do I find an experienced criminal defense attorney?
Contact us. We are free and we are confidential. The lawyers we will refer you to aren’t free, but they have a real record of success and significant experience. These are the people that we as lawyers would hire if we faced criminal charges.