Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
If you’ve been accused of shoplifting in Illinois, you’re probably wondering how long the authorities have before they can arrest and charge you with Retail Theft. As a seasoned criminal defense attorney with over 32 years of experience defending clients across the Chicago area, I can tell you that shoplifting charges—legally known as Retail Theft—can catch people by surprise, especially when the arrest doesn’t happen right away. In this blog, I’ll explain how long the police have to make an arrest, how the law defines Retail Theft, real-life case examples, and what consequences you could be facing. Whether you made a mistake or were falsely accused, understanding your legal situation is the first step toward protecting your future.
What Is Retail Theft in Illinois?
Under Illinois law (720 ILCS 5/16-25), Retail Theft is defined as taking possession of, carrying away, or transferring any merchandise from a retail establishment with the intent to deprive the merchant of the full retail value of that merchandise. This includes:
As an experienced DUI defense attorney in Illinois, one of the most common and confusing questions I get from clients is this: “Can my license still be suspended even if I’m found not guilty of a DUI?” The answer is yes—under Illinois law, your driver’s license can be suspended even if you beat the DUI charge in court. This surprises many people and is often one of the most frustrating aspects of a DUI arrest.
If you are facing criminal charges in Illinois, understanding your options for resolving your case is crucial. As an experienced criminal defense attorney, I often explain to my clients the key differences between Conditional Discharge and Court Supervision, two sentencing alternatives available in Illinois. Both can help you avoid jail time, but they come with different consequences and benefits. Knowing the difference can impact your future, your criminal record, and your ability to move forward after a legal issue.
Shoplifting
As a criminal defense attorney with over 32 years of experience handling traffic and criminal offenses throughout Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, and the greater Chicagoland area, I’ve seen firsthand how aggressively law enforcement officers enforce the Illinois Distracted Driving Cell Phone Law. This blog post will break down everything you need to know about this law—from its purpose and enforcement tactics to the penalties for violations and tips for staying compliant. Whether you’ve already received a ticket or are trying to avoid one, this guide is for you.
As a criminal defense attorney with over three decades of experience representing clients charged with Retail Theft and Burglary throughout Illinois, I’m often asked whether someone can be charged with Burglary for what seems like a simple act of shoplifting. This question arises frequently, especially in Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, and other parts of the Chicago metropolitan area where prosecutors take a hard stance on theft-related crimes. The answer is yes, under certain circumstances, a person can be charged with Burglary for shoplifting, and the implications of such a charge are far more serious than most people realize.
Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most serious and aggressively prosecuted offenses in Illinois. If you are facing DUI charges in 2025, you need to understand how Illinois DUI laws work, what penalties you may face, and how an experienced criminal defense attorney like James Dimeas can help protect your rights and your future.
If you’ve recently received a Scott’s Law ticket in Illinois, you’re probably worried about what happens next. You may be asking yourself questions like:
Understanding the Immigration Consequences of a Criminal Case in Illinois
If you are facing criminal charges for reckless driving or DUI (Driving Under the Influence), you may be wondering about the differences and similarities between these offenses. Both reckless driving and DUI are serious charges that can have significant legal consequences, including fines, license suspension, increased insurance rates, and even jail time. Understanding how these charges relate to one another is crucial when building a strong legal defense.