Oak Brook Employee Theft Defense Attorney

Law Firm Defending Clients Charged With Theft from Employers in DuPage County

Employers place a great deal of trust in their employees, and unfortunately, this trust is sometimes abused. As with other forms of theft, stealing from an employer is a serious offense that can result in steep consequences. People accused of employee theft should be sure to understand the potential consequences of these charges and their options for defense.

The knowledgeable, skilled attorneys of Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C. provide our clients with dedicated representation in cases involving a wide variety of criminal charges. If you have been charged with employee theft, we can work to protect your rights while helping you reach a positive outcome to your case.

Employee Theft Under Illinois Law

Employee theft can take many forms, including:

• Stealing money, retail products, equipment, supplies, or other property owned by an employer
• Falsifying time sheets, misreporting hours worked, or otherwise tampering with a company's payroll
• Providing trade secrets, customer lists, or proprietary knowledge to a competitor
• Providing unauthorized discounts to customers
• Seeking reimbursement for fraudulent expenses
• Skimming
• Embezzlement

Employee theft is prosecuted under Illinois' theft statute (720 ILCS 5/16-1), and the penalties for a conviction will be based on the value of what was stolen:

• Under $500 - Class A misdemeanor, which carries a maximum punishment of one year's imprisonment and fines of $2,500. If the theft occurred in a school or church, or if property was stolen from the government, this is a Class 4 felony, which carries a punishment of one to three years' imprisonment and a maximum fine of $25,000.
• $500 - $10,000 - Class 3 felony, which carries a punishment of two to five years' imprisonment and a maximum fine of $25,000. If the theft occurred in a school or church, or if property was stolen from the government, this is a Class 2 felony, which carries a punishment of three to seven years' imprisonment and a maximum fine of $25,000.
• $10,000 - $100,000 - Class 2 felony. If the theft occurred in a school or church, or if property was stolen from the government, this is a Class 1 felony, which carries a punishment of four to 15 years' imprisonment and a maximum fine of $25,000.
• $100,000 - $500,000 - Class 1 felony. If the theft occurred in a school or church, or if property was stolen from the government, this is a Class X felony, which carries a punishment of six to 30 years' imprisonment and a maximum fine of $25,000.
• $500,000 - $1,000,000 - Class 1 non-probationable felony.
• Over $1,000,000 - Class X felony.

Contact an Elmhurst Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been accused of employee theft, you should contact the attorneys at Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C. as soon as possible. We will investigate the circumstances of your case and help you understand how to fight the charges and avoid a conviction. If necessary, we will negotiate an agreement with the prosecution to minimize the consequences you will face or aggressively represent you in court. Contact our Lombard employee theft defense lawyers by calling 630-472-9700 to arrange a free consultation. We defend clients against criminal charges in Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Wheaton, Westmont, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, and throughout DuPage, Cook, Kane, and Will Counties.