Chicago Retail Theft Attorney

Retail Theft Lawyer for Cook and DuPage County

A conviction for retail theft could have a negative impact on your life. A retail theft charge can be either a misdemeanor or a felony. If you are alleged to have taken an item valued less than $300, you would be charged with a class A misdemeanor, which is punishable up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $2,500 or a combination of both. If you are alleged to have taken an item valued at $300 or more, then you can be charged with a class 4 felony, which carries a possible prison term of 1 to 3 years and a fine up to $25,000 or a combination of both. A second or third offense for either a misdemeanor or felony would carry even a heavier sentence.

Mr. Moretti has defended clients charged with retail theft crimes for 23 years. Along the way, he has gained the experience and skills necessary to fight for, and protect his client’s rights. He has had a great deal of success getting retail theft charges dismissed, and preventing any conviction from entering on his client’s criminal record.

What is Retail Theft?

According to Illinois law, retail theft is committed when someone knowingly takes possession of, carries away, transfers or causes to be carried away or transferred any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale in a retail mercantile establishment with the intention of depriving the merchant permanently of the possession, use or benefit of such merchandise without paying the full retail value of such merchandise. The following acts are also considered retail theft:

• Altering, transferring, or removing any label or price tag in an attempt to purchase the item for a less expensive price;
• Transferring merchandise from its original container to different container with the intention of not purchasing the merchandise;
• An employee ringing up an item for less than its value,
• Obtaining unauthorized control over the property of the owner,
• Removing merchandise beyond the last known station for receiving payments for that merchandise, and
• Using a theft detection shielding device to obtain or conceal merchandise and remove it from the store.

Contact an Experienced Retail Theft Attorney

If you have been arrested for or charged with retail theft, you should immediately contact a lawyer who has experience defending clients facing retail theft felony or misdemeanor charges. Mr. Moretti has experience handling retail theft charges and knows how to defend your rights. He has extensive criminal defense experience handling misdemeanor and felony cases and has received verdicts of not guilty, dismissed charges, and plea bargains with no jail time.

Mr. Moretti has the experience and knowledge to help you achieve a result most favorable to you. Call 312-861-1084 to schedule your complimentary consultation today at one of three office locations in Chicago, Oak Brook, or Schaumburg.