While some people believe that a retail theft charge can only come with limited consequences, this notion could not be further from the truth. In all actuality, even the most minor of retail theft convictions can come with life-changing legal implications. The theft of a retail item, worth $300 or less, can result in a Class A misdemeanor, a fine of more than $2,000, and a potential jail sentence of up to one year in prison. Every year, thousands of Illinoisans are accused of retail theft. If you have been arrested on accusations of shoplifting, contact a qualified criminal defense team, as quickly as possible.

Understanding Illinois Theft Laws

Everyone makes mistakes, unfortunately, some mistakes come with severe consequences. For those that elect to drive while under the influence of alcohol, the mistake of getting behind the wheel can be life-altering. Driving under the influence can result in a fatal car accident, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that over 10,000 Americans were fatally injured in automobile accidents involving alcohol, throughout 2016.

While not all drivers that make the decision to drive while inebriated, take their own life or the life of another, many are arrested on charges of driving under the influence. In 2016 alone, over 1 million Americans were convicted of DUI charges. Understanding the implications of a DUI conviction may keep you from getting behind the wheel of a car. That said, if you have been accused of driving under the influence, it is time to seek out a legal team you can trust.

Your vehicle is likely one of your largest investments. Imagine walking out of your house, job, or another location you frequent and finding out that your vehicle is not where you left it. Believe it or not, vehicle theft is a common occurrence.

In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA found that approximately 750,000 drivers experience vehicle theft. The NHTSA also discovered that Illinois was ranked among the top 10 states for the most stolen vehicles in 2016.

Public indecency in Illinois is not taken lightly. Although the consequences of this criminal charge depend on the particular circumstances of the incident, they are always harsh. Usually, public indecency is considered a Class A misdemeanor. In the event you are charged with a Class A misdemeanor, you may face a year in jail as well as a fine of up to $2,500.

Since public indecency is a sex crime, you may also be required to register as a sex offender. The registered sex offender list can be viewed by anyone and make it difficult for you to keep or land a job, rent a place to live, and/or gain custody of your children. Being registered as a sex offender can also hurt your personal and professional reputation.

The Illinois Supreme Court has defined dissipation as the “use of marital property for the sole benefit of one of the spouses for a purpose unrelated to the marriage at a time that the marriage is undergoing a breakdown.” Gambling is an example of a dissipation.

Gambling can hinder marriage, finances, and family life. If you are in the process of divorcing a spouse with a gambling problem, you likely have many questions about how gambling affects divorce. Let’s take a closer look at how a spouse’s gambling addiction, as well as the behaviors that stem from it, play a role in divorce proceedings.