Illinois Shoplifting Lawyer Defending the Accused
Retail theft is taken very seriously by the Illinois courts and can result in some extremely serious penalties. While these offenses can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies depending on the value of the property stolen, every theft offense carries penalties that can include fines and jail time. In addition, a theft conviction can impact you for years into the future, limiting your employment opportunities and many other areas of your life.
At the Law Office of Steven Haney, our Joliet retail fraud attorney represents juvenile and adult clients alike in a wide variety of shoplifting cases. As a former Will County prosecutor, Mr. Haney understands how the other side prepares its cases and he knows which defense strategies will give you the best chance of securing a favorable outcome.
Building the Strongest Defense for Your Case
In every theft case, intent is a major consideration. If you did not intend to steal the property, it is very difficult for you to be convicted of theft. With every client we serve, we look for ways to show that you had no intent to steal the property. Some people accused of theft have simply become distracted and didn't realize they were still carrying merchandise. Others have received emergency phone calls and rushed out before putting the merchandise back.
When you hire our firm, we will take the time to learn everything possible about the alleged theft and use the information you provide to build a strong defense on your behalf. In every situation, we work to keep a conviction off your record above all else. If the prosecution has a compelling case, we will use our negotiating experience to try to arrive at an agreement that minimizes the impact on your rights and your future.
Whenever possible, we will seek court supervision as an alternative to a conviction. In these situations, you would make restitution for the theft, pay a fine and agree to stay away from the store where the theft took place. If you maintain a clean record for a year after the offense, the case can be dismissed and no conviction would be entered.
Putting Our Experience to Work For You
Contact our office today for a free initial consultation to discuss your shoplifting case and learn more about what we can do to help you. You can reach us by phone at 815-768-2316, toll free at 888-564-4190 or via e-mail. For your convenience, weekend appointments are available.
