Category Archives: shoplifting

STAYING PAST YOUR WELCOME: HOW RETAIL THEFT BECOMES BURGLARY IN ILLINOIS

In Illinois, you can be charged with burglary if you 1) enter or remain in a building without authority 2) with intent to commit a felony or theft. Under recent Illinois case law, you can lose the authority to enter … Continue reading

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SIX WAYS TO DEFEND AN ILLINOIS SHOPLIFTING CASE

As with most criminal charges, the State has to prove you guilty of all the elements of retail theft beyond a reasonable doubt. Retail theft is a tough crime to defend because often someone is caught in the act on … Continue reading

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“THEY ASKED ME TO PAY!”: THE RETAIL THEFT CIVIL DAMAGES LETTER

You’re already on edge after you were charged with shoplifting. Now you have received a letter or a phone call from a collection agent or a law firm asking you to pay money for the merchandise that you took. Will … Continue reading

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RETAIL THEFT: SECOND OFFENSE AND BEYOND

Retail theft the second time around can be a much more complicated affair than your first offense. Repeat offenses may lead to stiffer charges, violation of supervision, and a conviction that stays on your record. For starters, a second offense … Continue reading

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NEW HOPE FOR ILLINOIS FIRST-TIME FELONY DEFENDANTS: THE OFFENDER INITIATIVE PROGRAM

You’ve never been in trouble before. It’s bad enough you were arrested, but even worse, your first offense is a felony. Maybe it was for shoplifting or taking drugs, something that you swear you would never do again. Fortunately, Illinois … Continue reading

Posted in Chicago felony, Class 1 Felony, drug crimes, felony, first offender, first time felony, narcotic offenses, retail theft, shoplifting | Leave a comment

THEY’RE WATCHING!: HOW STORES COMBAT RETAIL THEFT

Retail theft can cost U.S. retailers about $10 billion a year. Because of that, stores use a variety of methods to stop you from swiping their merchandise. Stores such as Whole Foods may use plain clothes security. You don’t realize … Continue reading

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FROM SHOPLIFTING TO REMOVING PRICE TAGS: RETAIL THEFT LAW IN ILLINOIS

You were scanning groceries at the self-service station and decided to omit a few items before slipping them into your bag. But unbeknownst to you, the cameras were watching. As soon as you left the store, security stopped you, and … Continue reading

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‘I’VE BEEN STOPPED FOR SHOPLIFTING!”: STORE SECURITY AND YOUR RIGHTS

You were browsing at a department store and had just left, when suddenly store security approaches you. They ask you to come with them. What are your rights? If a merchant believes you have been shoplifting, they may detain you … Continue reading

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“THE POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR ME”: WHEN YOU ARE A SUSPECT OR FEAR ARREST

You just got a phone call from your roommate. Some police officer showed up looking for you. As it happens, you actually do know why they want to talk. Maybe you were involved in a crime like a robbery, hit … Continue reading

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“I MEANT TO PAY FOR IT”: WHEN YOU ARE ACCUSED OF SHOPLIFTING

You are visiting your favorite big box store. You picked up a couple DVDs that you were thinking of purchasing, but then got distracted and walked out the door with them. Before you knew it, security was after you, and … Continue reading

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