Theft Crimes Defense Lawyers located in Springfield, Illinois serving all of Central Illinois
Theft charges encompass a number of criminal offenses which relate to the stealing of property, the forceful taking of property or deceptive practices. Even relatively minor offenses, such as misdemeanor retail theft, can have major consequences outside of the potential for jail time and fines. Employers, schools, and universities can learn about theft charges which can adversely affect your job or schooling. If you are charged with a theft crime, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can objectively examine the evidence and discuss your factual and legal defenses.
The authorities seek criminal convictions, large restitution amounts and long prison sentences when they prosecute theft cases. It takes aggressive defense strategies and effective advocacy to properly represent you in court. The criminal defense lawyers at the Noll Law Office have successfully defended felony and misdemeanor retail theft charges, misdemeanor retail theft cases, federal wire fraud charges, fraud cases, robbery cases, burglary charges, and all other theft charges in Springfield, Illinois and throughout Central Illinois. No matter what theft crime you are facing, the criminal defense lawyers at the Noll Law Office have the experience, skills and resources required to handle any case.
Theft Charges can include the following crimes:
- Armed Robbery
- Bad Checks or Worthless Checks – Deceptive practices are used to mislead people for financial gain, usually through fraud. The Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act criminalizes the use of deceptive practices and imposes penalties on those who are convicted of such a crime. Sometimes, an innocent mistake can be construed by the authorities as a criminal act, and innocent people can find themselves the subject of a criminal investigation.
- Burglary – Burglary involves a person entering any building or property without permission and with the intent to commit a felony or theft while inside. Often, it is difficult for the prosecutors to prove that the accused had the intent to commit a felony of theft while inside. The standard felony burglary charge is a Class 2 felony punishable by 3 – 7 years in the Department of Corrections. However, depending on the accused’s background, the location where the burglary was alleged to have taken place, and if any weapons were present, the criminal penalties for burglary can vary greatly.
- Counterfeiting
- Embezzlement
- Forgery – Forgery is defined as the unauthorized creation or manipulation of a document with the intention of defrauding another person. You can also be criminally charged for the possession or use of a forged document. Items that are often forged include checks and money orders, signatures on legal documents, and drivers licenses. In Illinois, forgery is a felony charge that can result in a sentence of 3 to 7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
- Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Residential Burglary – Residential Burglary is a Class 1 felony in Illinois punishable by 4 to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. A person accused of Residential Burglary is not eligible for probation. However, under certain circumstances, a person can receive a sentence of impact incarceration (“bootcamp”) or TASC probation.
- Retail Theft/Shoplifting – Retail Theft, or shoplifting as it is commonly known, can be a misdemeanor charge or a felony charge depending on the amount of property which is alleged to have been stolen. Retail theft is one of the most common crimes committed in Illinois and is often done by people with no criminal record who had a lapse of judgment. Other times, it is a genuine mistake made by people who forgot about the items in the shopping cart. Retail Theft is a theft crime and is regarded as a crime of moral turpitude. It can affect your job, future employment plans, and schooling or immigration status. Our criminal defense lawyers are experienced and established in the Central Illinois area for defending clients accused of Retail Theft. Our Retail Theft defense lawyers have a proven track record of getting Retail Theft charges dismissed, reduced or obtaining court supervision for our clients. Sometimes, people shoplift to support their drug addiction. If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, there are alternative sentencing options available for you. The criminal defense lawyers at the Noll Law Office understand the problems facing drug addicts, their families and the community at large. If you shoplifted because of drug addiction or alcohol abuse, you may be eligible for drug court, TASC probation, or other community service based sentencing options.
- Robbery – Robbery is a serious offense because it is considered both a theft crime and a violent crime. Robbery involves a person forcibly taking the property of another by the use of force or by threatening to use force. Due to the violent nature of robbery charges, prosecutors seek harsh penalties. A standard felony Robbery charge is punishable by 3 to 7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. However, there are aggravating factors which can increase the potential penalty such as if the alleged victim is over the age of 60 or if a weapon was used in the robbery. If there was a firearm or other weapon allegedly used in the robbery, you could be charged with armed robbery.
- Wire Fraud
If you are charged with a theft crime, hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer is the best way to ensure a positive outcome and avoid harsh penalties. They listen to your side of the story and analyze the evidence to determine the best approach for your case. The Noll Law Office has litigated hundreds of theft cases. They have access to experts who can aid in your defense. If you admit that you are guilty of what you are charged of, the lawyers at the Noll Law Office are familiar with all types of alternative sentencing options. They will do their best to prevent prison time and/or a felony conviction from entering on your criminal record. Contact the Springfield, Illinois criminal defense attorneys at the Noll Law office for a free initial consultation to discuss the facts of your case.