Theft is one of the most commonly prosecuted property crimes in Cook County, with thousands of incidents reported each year, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Eight Year Report. A Chicago criminal defense attorney can help you understand your rights and your options, and build a defense.
What Happens After You’re Charged with Theft in Illinois?
After a theft charge, you’ll typically be given a court date. In more serious cases, you’ll be held for a pretrial detention date. Illinois eliminated cash bail under the Pretrial Fairness Act, so a judge now decides whether you’ll be released before trial based on factors like your history and the nature of the offense.
Under 720 ILCS 5/16-1, Illinois generally categorizes theft by the value of the property and how the assets were stolen: