This article is being written to conclude and recap my series on the handling and defending of identity theft charges in Peoria and other Illinois areas. I considered it important to write on this issue as offenses involving such conduct are becoming increasingly common due to changes in technology. Many individuals are surprised to learn of the heavy penalties which attach to these types of offenses. The goal of my recent articles was to provide information which will help people to better understand their situation. It has also been my goal to provide information which will assist with the selection of a criminal defense lawyer. If you or a loved one are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with an attorney.
I addressed a number of topics over my recent articles. Issues which I analyzed included:
- What constitutes identity theft
- Illinois’ penalties for identity theft
- Handling first-offense identity theft charges
- Possible defenses to identity theft allegations
There are multiple reasons why I chose to address these particular issues. First, this is a very broad offense category. As such, many different types of conduct can result in charges. Understanding the range of conduct which can be charged is important. Second, knowing the potential penalties one faces is crucial when deciding how to proceed. Third, many individuals are completely unsure of what to expect when they are facing the criminal justice system for the first time. Failing to immediately retain counsel can be a critical error in such situations. Finally, while no two cases are alike, it is important to understand how search and seizure issues impact such cases.
A key point that I stressed in each of these articles is that one should contact an attorney as soon as possible if they or a family member have been arrested. The sooner you contact counsel then the sooner they can begin to investigate the matter and explore possible defenses. As a former prosecutor, I am very familiar with our local court system. If you need assistance then contact my firm today to speak with a Peoria criminal defense lawyer. I look forward to speaking with you. 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.