Oak Brook Identity Theft Defense Attorney

Criminal Defense Lawyers Assist Clients Charged With White Collar Crimes in DuPage County

All forms of theft are taken seriously by law enforcement in Illinois, but identity theft is one activity that has received a great deal of scrutiny in recent years. The news regularly reports data breaches which occur with websites, retailers, and credit card companies, and people's personal information, when obtained in one of these breaches or in some other manner, can be misused in a wide variety of ways. As the prevalence of this type of crime increases, law enforcement officials are looking to prosecute these charges, and a conviction can result in serious consequences.

If you have been arrested and charged with identity theft, it is essential to have a skilled criminal defense attorney on your side. At Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C., we have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of criminal cases, and we can help you understand your best options for defense.

Identity Theft Charges in Illinois

According to Illinois law (720 ILCS 5/16-30), identity theft occurs when someone uses someone else's personal identification information in a fraudulent manner to obtain credit, purchase goods or services, or otherwise obtain money or property. It also can occur when someone obtains, sells, or otherwise uses a person's information with the intent of committing a felony. The penalties for identity theft are often based on the value of the credit, money, or goods which were obtained:

• Less than $300 - A Class 4 felony for a first offense, punishable by one to three years in prison. A second or subsequent offense is a Class 3 felony.
• $300 - $2,000 - A Class 3 felony, punishable by two to five years in prison.
• $2,000 - $10,000 - A Class 2 felony, punishable by three to seven years in prison.
• $10,000 - $100,000 - A Class 1 felony, punishable by four to 15 years in prison.
• More than $100,000 - A Class X felony, punishable by six to 30 years in prison.

Identity theft which does not involve a specific monetary value is generally a Class 3 felony for a first offense and a Class 2 felony for a second or subsequent offense. In addition to prison time, all felony offenses may result in fines of up to $25,000.

Additional charges may apply if the victim of identity theft is a member of the United States Armed Services, if the alleged perpetrator steals the identity of three or more people within one year, or if a person's identification information was used to purchase materials with the intent of manufacturing methamphetamines. If the victim is over the age of 60 or disabled, or if the crime was committed as part of organized gang activities, it is considered aggravated identity theft, which carries harsher punishments.

Contact an Elmhurst Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are facing charges related to identity theft, the white collar criminal defense lawyers at the law office of Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C. will work to protect your rights and provide you with the defense strategy that will help you achieve the best outcome to your case. Contact our Lombard identity theft defense lawyers at 630-472-9700 to schedule a free initial consultation. We represent clients in Wheaton, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Western Springs, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, and throughout DuPage, Kane, Will, and Cook Counties.