Top Illinois Shoplifting, Theft and Retail Theft Defense Lawyers

The Law Offices of Brucar & Yetter
Wheaton, Rolling Meadows and St. Charles, Illinois

Defense Lawyers Concentrating in Theft Defense

The criminal defense lawyers of Brucar & Yetter handle hundreds of theft and shoplifting cases every year. These are some of the most commonly charged misdemeanor and felony crimes in Illinois, and people from Rolling Meadows to Saint Charles to Wheaton have entrusted our expert defense attorneys to handle their cases and help protect their records.

If you have been charged with shoplifting, retail theft, or theft—whether felony or misdemeanor—in Illinois, please contact the theft defense lawyers at Brucar & Yetter for a free consultation. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to consult with you about your criminal defense for free.

At the Cook County law firm of Brucar & Yetter, our criminal defense lawyers take our responsibility to you seriously. Our legal team will work diligently to protect your record and your future.

Retail Theft and Shoplifting

If you’ve been arrested for shoplifting in Illinois, it’s important to speak with a reputable retail theft defense attorney immediately. Don’t disregard the serious consequences a conviction will have on your future or take advice from the law enforcement officers have arrested you.

While an Illinois shoplifting misdemeanor may seem like a minor charge, a prior criminal record or a value of as little as $151 could force you to face the maximum penalty or even felony charges. In the world we live in, everyone has access to court and police records through the internet. Every day, our lawyers hear from people with criminal records from just a few years ago that we know could have been prevented. Don’t gamble with your future.

The retail theft lawyers at Brucar & Yetter—located in Wheaton, Rolling Meadows and St. Charles, Illinois—can help you take advantage of programs that will allow you to clear your criminal record immediately. Normally there’s a five-year waiting period for those who get supervision for retail theft. Understanding how to handle an Illinois shoplifting misdemeanor in a way that prevents further legal and personal complications is important for anyone who will be applying for jobs in the near future. With unemployment in Cook, DuPage, and Kane counties being so high, no one needs a criminal record damaging their employability—especially when these matters can be prevented with the right criminal defense lawyer.

Our shoplifting defense attorneys have the experience and success to know how to keep the conviction off your record or even get your case dismissed. If you’re a first-time offender, it is often possible to get discretionary sentencing or diversion programs to keep your record clean. The goal of our law firm is to make sure you can say “no” when asked if you’ve been convicted of a retail theft crime on a job application.

The law governing theft and retail theft is beginning to change. Soon the limit required to make a felony retail theft case will be $300 instead of the current legal amount of $150. The problem is that for amounts between $150 and $300, the State of Illinois is still charging people with felony retail theft. This is just not fair, and you do not need to have a felony on your record just because of the timing of the new law. Additionally, many counties, like Cook and DuPage, are now charging defendants with burglary for simple retail thefts—this is a very serious class two felony that is being misapplied.

We also know not everyone accused of shoplifting is guilty. When our clients have been wrongly accused or when there’s a problem with the store security’s behavior, we examine the store video, interview witnesses, and conduct our own investigation into events. We demand solid proof of every retail theft charge and ensure every rule was followed in the state’s investigation and subsequent arrest before committing to a defense plan or trial strategy. You can trust us to give you only the best advice on how to handle your legal trouble.

The truth is, sometimes people make mistakes or act outside of their normal character. A retail theft charge arising out of petty shoplifting doesn’t entitle store security to violate your rights or your person. What these store loss prevention people think they see on a video camera or from behind a two-way mirror may not tell the whole truth.

Regardless of the client’s legal responsibility, we are able to deal with the charges quickly and efficiently, so no more time or money is lost. With almost fifty years of combined experience, Brucar & Yetter can easily identify alternatives to jail and fines which many courts and counties (including Cook, DuPage, and Kane) accept.

For more information on how we can help you, contact our Illinois shoplifting misdemeanor defense attorneys at the law office of Brucar & Yetter today and schedule a free consultation.

Other theft related cases

Illinois defines most property possession offenses into different types of theft. This includes crimes that other states and the Federal system call larceny, embezzlement, deception, extortion, fraud and receiving stolen property. If the police charge you with a theft crime, it’s important to contact one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys to discuss your situation.

Crimes not involving physical violence and relating to financial matters are often called white collar crimes. White collar crimes involve the same legal principles as other crimes, and people have the same rights and protections as defendants accused of other crimes. On the other hand, theft offenses are often complex and involve complicated legal and factual issues. The possible penalties include fines, prison sentences, restitution, and criminal forfeiture.

Brucar & Yetter helps people accused of committing white collar crimes, including employee theft, forgery, theft by deception, unlawful credit card use, home repair fraud and embezzlement. Do not speak to any investigator or your employer without first calling us for a free consultation. Despite what they may tell you, your employer can use what you say against you in a court room.

An investigation into theft crimes can go on for months or years. A person may be the target of investigation for theft or some other white collar crime and not know it until charges are filed. You should have an experienced Illinois defense lawyer involved in your case as early as possible. The complex nature of white collar criminal theft prosecutions means a person’s trouble isn’t always clear in the early investigative stages, and our attorneys are experienced in limiting potential exposure. Many defendants will damage their cause by saying something incriminating in these early stages of investigation before they’re even suspected.

Being accused of a crime is frightening and stressful. A theft crime imposes extra stress, since a person’s professional or personal integrity is often at issue. It makes sense to secure an excellent lawyer to provide zealous representation and minimize the impact on your life.

Contact the Law Offices of Brucar & Yetter

To get the help you need in dealing with theft or retail theft arrests and investigations, contact the experienced, expert criminal defense lawyers at Brucar & Yetter for a free consultation. Let us help you begin the process of keeping your record clean.

Brucar & Yetter maintains offices in Wheaton, Saint Charles, and Rolling Meadows. Our criminal defense firm represents clients in Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Greater Chicago, and throughout the State of Illinois.