Retail theft is a serious offense that can have significant legal consequences in Illinois. Whether it involves shoplifting, employee theft, or other forms of retail fraud, understanding the penalties associated with these acts is crucial. In this blog post, we will explore retail theft penalties in Illinois, shedding light on the legal ramifications and emphasizing the importance of seeking professional legal assistance to navigate this challenging situation.
The Definition of Retail Theft in Illinois
In Illinois, retail theft is defined as the act of knowingly taking possession of, carrying away, or transferring any merchandise offered for sale with the intent…
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If you or another dependent member of your family is being seriously harassed or abused by another person in your household, you have the right to obtain an order of protection to prevent the perpetrator from contacting you or the dependent member.
In Illniois, the term “abuse” does not only encompass physical abuse. It can also be harassment, including neglect, creating a disturbance at one’s work or school, repeatedly contacting a person at work or school, stalking a person, keeping a person under constant surveillance, threatening physical force or confinement, or any act that interferes with personal liberty.
Order of…
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When a person is arrested or charged with a criminal offense in Illinois, a criminal record will be created even if the person is found not guilty. Criminal records can often be read by any member of the public. To get a criminal record erased or hidden, a person must file a Request to Expunge and/or Seal Criminal Records with a court to have a judge approve the request.
There are essentially three ways for people to erase their criminal records. Expungement erases arrests and court supervision from a person’s criminal record so it is like they never happened. Record…
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The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act uses the term maintenance to describe what was once known as alimony or spousal support. In Illinois, a court can grant a maintenance award to either spouse in amounts and for periods of time the court deems just without regard to marital misconduct.
The purpose of a maintenance award is to allow one spouse to continue living the life they had become accustomed to during the marriage. This may happen when mothers or fathers choose to stay home and raise the children instead of pursuing an education or career. Many different factors…
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Domestic battery is a criminal offense established under Illinois law defined as an individual knowingly causing bodily harm or making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature to a family or household member. A key thing to understand about domestic battery charges is that a person does not have to physically injure another party to face this type of charge.
Facing charges or a conviction of domestic battery can significantly impact someone’s life. Working with an experienced criminal defense lawyer can provide the legal guidance needed to protect your rights and avoid penalties.
When Can Someone Face Charges of…
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Divorce is difficult for individuals of every nationality, ethnicity, and background. However, the divorce process can be even more difficult for those who do not speak English as a first language. In this blog, we will discuss some of the unique challenges that individuals who do not speak English as a primary language may face during divorce proceedings and how to meet these challenges.
Language Barriers Can Make Misunderstandings More Likely
If you do not speak English as a first language, communicating with the courts, opposing counsel, and other individuals involved in the divorce process could be difficult. You may…
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Retail theft involving “smash and grabs” has been making headlines in Illinois and across the United States. Organized retail theft typically involves a group of people who work together to steal many items at once. Last year, Illinois governor JB Pritzker signed a bill addressing organized retail theft and instituting stiffer penalties for individuals convicted of organized retail theft. This legislation went into effect January 1, 2023.
If you or a loved one were charged with shoplifting or theft, make sure you understand what you are up against. Theft is often a felony offense in Illinois and the penalties for…
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Studies show that it costs well over a quarter of a million dollars to raise a child from birth through age 18. This works out to approximately $17,000 a year, not including extra costs such as private school tuition, childcare, and college expenses. Single parents need all the help they can get when it comes to paying child-related costs, which is why child support is so crucial.
If you are an unmarried parent, you may have questions about your entitlement to child support or your obligation to pay child support. How is child support calculated? What happens if you have…
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In general, an acquittal means that the court found you not guilty of the crime you were charged with. This means that the prosecution was unable to prove its case for the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. If you were acquitted of a crime, you probably assume that you do not have a criminal record. Unfortunately, this is not the case. There is a record of every arrest that occurs in Illinois. When someone has a criminal record, it is usually available for public viewing, even if the charge was later dropped or the person was acquitted of the crime.
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What used to be called “visitation” is now called “parenting time” in Illinois law. When an unmarried couple has a child or a married couple with children divorces, the parents describe the parenting time schedule in their parenting plan.
Reaching a parenting schedule that works for both parents and meets the child’s needs is not easy. It is important to take the time to get it right. Here are five questions that parents should ask themselves when developing a parenting time schedule.
Is The Proposed Schedule Realistic, Given Our Work and Travel Schedules?
Both parents need to realistically assess…
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