People make mistakes and get in trouble for many reasons, typically when a situation gets out of hand and someone uses bad judgment. Making a bad decision while angry or when you’ve had too much to drink can have serious, long term consequences. What seems to you like a minor offense can actually be a serious criminal offense. Illinois treats any crime related to property seriously. Too often, common property crimes can result in a felony conviction with possible jail time, severe fines and a permanent stain on your record that will impact your ability to get a job, find housing or other activities that require a background check.
A property crimes in Illinois can include many common, lower-level offenses such as theft or vandalism as well as high-level felonies such as arson or armed robbery:
• Shoplifting
• Trespass
• Destroying or damaging property
• Stolen vehicle
• Vandalism
• Identity theft
• Fraud
• Arson
• Possession of stolen property
Depending on the crime and the circumstances, a property crime can be classified as a misdemeanor or as a felony conviction with severe consequences. A class X felony crime in Illinois is punishable by 6 to 30 years in jail and up to a $25,000 fine. A class 4 felony in Illinois is punishable by 1 to 3 years in jail and up to a $25,000 fine.
Information about your background, including any criminal charges or convictions, are online and readily available. Even “closed” files can be accessible for a criminal or employment background check. An Illinois background check might be conducted for employment, housing, immigration and other opportunities. When conducting a background check, your history will include your driving record, criminal record and credit history.
Many Illinois employers hire an outside company to perform background checks, and they must comply with privacy laws and fair credit laws. For many professions including health care workers, a criminal conviction on your background can do severe damage to your ability to find employment in your field.
If you are charged with a property crime in Illinois, you need a skilled criminal defense team to protect your rights and build an aggressive defense. To schedule an initial consultation, call us at 855-554-6369 or contact us online. Our lawyers offer jail visits.
