Chicago Retail Theft Lawyer

Skilled Retail Theft Defense Attorney for Clients in Chicago, IL

In Illinois, anytime someone steals an item or merchandise from a retail store, they have committed retail theft that is punishable by law. Depending on the retail value of the stolen items and your criminal background record, you could be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor or a Class 3 Felony offense, with up to $25,000 in fines and up to 5 years serving jail time.

Being charged with a criminal offense, like retail theft, requires an effective criminal defense attorney with a wide range of legal experience and a full understanding of criminal law. At the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney, located in Chicago, Illinois, veteran criminal law attorney Hal M. Garfinkel has over 20 years of legal experience and is available to represent clients throughout the Chicago area and beyond.

Contact the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney for a free initial consultation if you’ve been charged with retail theft or any other state criminal offense. Available 24/7 by phone, fax, or email, Hal M. Garfinkel offers professional legal guidance and can help you avoid conviction. Call 312-629-0669 to speak with a knowledgeable retail theft attorney today.

What Counts as Retail Theft?

When you hear the term "retail theft," you might imagine a simple act of shoplifting, smuggling an item through the doors of a retail establishment. However, retail theft can also include other acts, such as:

• Altering a label or price tag to pay less than what the item is actually worth
• Under-ringing an item to avoid paying for it
• Taking a shopping cart off a store's premises without the owner's express permission
• Selling a stolen item to a store under false pretenses
• Using a device to avoid detection for theft

If you have been accused of any of these acts, you should know that you face serious criminal penalties on a conviction, including the possibility of a criminal record. At the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney, our attorney can discuss your case with you to give you a clear idea of what to expect in court.

Tough Defense You Need to Keep Your Record Clean

Having criminal retail theft charges brought against you can affect both your personal and professional life. It may be difficult to get a job or rent an apartment if you have a criminal history that shows up on the background check.

Attorney Hal M. Garfinkel has successfully handled all types of criminal defense cases involving felonies and misdemeanors, and he is able to provide you with the utmost attention to detail regarding your retail theft case. When you need an attorney who is ready to fight for you, Hal M. Garfinkel is the one who can advocate for you.

Defenses Against Charges of Retail Theft in Chicago

The crime of retail theft requires intent. Essentially, this means that you cannot be convicted of retail theft unless the prosecution can prove that you purposefully set out to defraud the merchant. Our attorney could potentially argue that you accidentally carried away an item that you meant to pay for, or that you were falsely accused of shoplifting.

This is just one defense we can employ against a charge of retail theft. At the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney, we will consider all of the possible mitigating circumstances or defenses in your case to develop a sound legal strategy. When you work with our firm, we will do everything we can in our power to protect your rights.

Meet With a Cook County, Illinois Retail Theft Attorney

Have you been accused of shoplifting or a similar criminal offense? If so, contact the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney today. Our Chicago, IL retail theft lawyer can defend you against serious criminal allegations. Call our offices at 312-629-0669 today or contact us online to get started with a free initial consultation.