This is the first post in a series of articles which will address the handling of identity theft in Peoria and other Illinois areas. I consider it important to write on this topic as such charges have been increasingly an issue in recent years due to increased use of technology. Some individuals are surprised to find out the extent to which they are facing punishment in these types of cases. I am writing this series, therefore, with the goal of providing information which will help people to better understand their situation. It is also my goal to provide information which will assist with the selection of an attorney. If you or a loved one require assistance then contact my office today to speak with a criminal defense lawyer.
I will be addressing several issues over the course of my coming articles. Topics which I will be analyzing include the following:
- What constitutes “identity theft” in Illinois?
- How does Illinois penalize identity theft?
- What to expect if it is one’s first offense
- Possible defenses in such cases
There are multiple reasons why I have chosen to address these particular topics. First, while identity theft is a form of fraud, it is its own category of offense in our state. Also, several types of conduct fall into this category even though some do not traditionally equate such conduct to “identity theft.” Second, many individuals are surprised to learn that they will be facing felony charges even if the offense only involved small amounts of money. Third, knowing what to expect is crucial in any felony case, especially if one has never interacted with the criminal justice system before. Finally, while all cases are different, it is important to understand potential defenses.
An important point that I will be making in each of these articles is that one should contact a Peoria criminal defense lawyer immediately if they have been charged with a crime. The sooner you contact counsel, then the sooner they may begin to mount a defense on your behalf. As a former prosecutor, I am familiar with how the Court approaches such matters. I pride myself on providing a high level of representation and I look forward to being of assistance. Contact my office online or by telephone today to schedule an appointment. We also serve clients in Bloomington, Decatur, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington and the counties of Fulton, Knox, LaSalle, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford. Additional areas where we handle federal cases include Benton, Chicago, East St. Louis, Springfield, and Urbana.