The Consequences of Theft in Illinois

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Theft

Finding desired merchandise at your favorite store can be very easy, and it may be tempting to take it without paying. However, if you do not pay for a product, or if you take property that is not yours, there may be consequences that you have to face, as theft is not taken lightly by criminal courts in Illinois

What Is Theft?

Theft is defined as the act of a person illegally taking another person's property or services without permission or consent. A person may deliberately obtain unauthorized control over the owner’s property by deception or threat. Theft can also be defined as the act of a person taking control over property that was previously stolen, with that person already having the knowledge of the stolen property.

The Consequences of Theft

There are several consequences when a person gets caught stealing property, depending on the severity of the crime, with the charges applying to the State of Illinois.

• If a person steals property that is less than $500 in value, the theft committed is a Class A misdemeanor. If the stolen property is less than $500 in value and in an educational or religious organization, or property belonging to the government, the person committing the theft will receive a Class 4 felony.
• If a person steals property that is less than $10,000 in value, the theft committed is a Class 3 felony. However, if the property stolen belongs to an educational or religious organization, or the government, the theft is a Class 2 felony.
• Any theft of property that exceeds $10,000 in value but no more than $100,000 in value is a Class 2 felony, but if the property with the same value was stolen in an educational or religious organization, or belonging to the government, the theft of property counts as a Class 1 felony.
• If a person steals property that exceeds $100,000 in value but no more than $500,000 in value, the charge for that theft is a Class 1 felony.

Contact a Skilled Attorney

Theft applies to any merchandise or property taken without authorized consent, and there could be serious consequences if you are found with the stolen property. If you or a loved one is facing charges related to theft, contact an experienced Elgin criminal defense attorney. Call 847-488-0889 for a free consultation with a member of our team today

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=072000050K16-1