Many people assume that theft charges are not all that serious and are typically misdemeanors. This may or may not be the case, and such an assumption can be dangerous for your future. Theft charges in Illinois can be treated very differently. Some theft charges are misdemeanors, while others can quickly escalate into felonies.
A felony conviction, aside from having serious legal penalties attached, can also bring long-term collateral consequences. The difference between a misdemeanor and felony theft charge can come down to issues like the value of the property taken, prior convictions, and the type of item taken. Even a first-time offender may be shocked to find he or she is facing felony theft charges.
Illinois law allows prosecutors to elevate theft cases, even when no force was used and no one was hurt. If you are facing theft charges, it is imperative that you understand how your charges could escalate into felonies. This, and having an experienced Kane County, IL criminal defense attorney, are the first steps toward building a strong defense to your charges.