A former officer who worked for the Normal Police Department is seeking a plea deal for theft crimes committed last year, according to an article by The Pantagraph.
According to official reports, the former officer arrived at a residence in Normal in response to a 911 call on November 25, 2019. At some point thereafter, the former officer stole approximately $12,000 in cash from the residence.
In response to reports of the missing cash, the Illinois State Police commenced an investigation. Based on that investigation, the authorities arrested and charged the former officer in December of 2019.
While this former officer awaits further developments in their legal case, it seems like a good opportunity to review Illinois laws against and penalties for theft crimes.
How Does Illinois Define Theft Crimes?
The Illinois definition of theft appears at 720 ILCS 5/16-1. Under this section, theft occurs when a perpetrator knowingly:
- Obtains or exerts control over another person’s property without authorization;
- Employs deception to obtain control over another person’s property;
- Uses threats to obtain control over another person’s property;
- Receives property knowing, or having a reason to know, that the property was stolen; or
- Obtains or exerts control over property in the custody of law enforcement while exhibiting a specific type of fraudulent intent.
What is the Illinois Penalty for Theft?
Section 16-1 also details the punishment for theft crimes in Illinois. The punishment for theft can change based on various factors, including type (from the person vs. not from the person), location (schools and places of worship). Though from a general standpoint, theft is typically punishable based on the value of the items stolen.
For example, theft of property worth:
- Less than $500 — Is normally a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by a maximum of $2,500 in criminal fines and 12 months in county jail;
- Between $500 and $10,000 — Is ordinarily a Class 3 felony, which is punishable by a maximum of $25,000 in criminal fines and 60 months in prison;
- Between $10,000 and $100,000 — Is normally a Class 2 felony, which is punishable by a maximum of $25,000 in criminal fines and 84 months in prison;
- Between $100,000 and $500,000 — Is ordinarily a Class 1 felony, which is punishable by a maximum of $25,000 in criminal fines and 15 years in prison;
- Between $500,000 and $1,000,000 — Is normally a Class 1 felony and punishable as explained above, but without any possibility for probation; or
- More than $1,000,000 — Is ordinarily a Class X felony, which is punishable by a maximum of $25,000 in criminal fines and 30 years in prison without any possibility of probation.
Do You Need Legal Help?
No matter what the criminal offense, all charges are serious. A sound strategy and an aggressive defense are essential for a positive outcome. To protect your rights in such situations, it is highly advisable to retain legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney.
The Prior Law Firm in Bloomington, Illinois, has proven experience in matters of criminal defense. If you need legal help with criminal defense, contact us today for a free consultation. You can reach The Prior Law Firm by phone at (309) 827-4300, email at johnprior@thepriorlawfirm.com or by completing an online form.