Oak Brook Shoplifting Defense Attorneys

Lawyers Defend Clients Accused of Retail Theft and Price Switching in DuPage County

Across the nation and certainly in Illinois retail stores have experienced retail theft and shoplifting. One crime that is often not considered retail theft is price switching, changing or switching a price tag to alter the true cost. If you have been detained on charges of price switching, a theft crime, you can benefit greatly from the experience of a retail theft defense legal team. Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C. has handled a wide variety of retail cases, including price switching, for clients throughout DuPage County.

Price Switching Charges in Illinois

Illinois law (720 ILCS 5/16-25) in addressing retail theft says a person commits retail theft of shoplifting if he takes retail merchandise from a mercantile establishment without paying its full retail value. It further explains the crime of price switching when the merchant is deprived of the true value as follows:

• a person alters, transfers, or removes any label, price tag, or any other markings which aid in determining value affixed to any merchandise offered for sale in a retail mercantile establishment and attempts to purchase such merchandise at less than the full retail value with the intention of depriving the merchant of the full retail value of such merchandise; or
• a person transfers any merchandise offered for sale in a retail mercantile establishment from the container in or on which such merchandise is displayed to any other container with the intention of depriving the merchant of the full retail value of such merchandise.

Facing criminal charges? Call us today at 630-472-9700 for a free case evaluation.

Charges and penalties for price switching, like any shoplifting or retail theft charge, depend upon the value of the goods:

• Class A misdemeanor for value of $300 or less, first time offenders, up to one year in jail and fine of $2,500;
• Class 4 felony for value greater than $300, 1-3 years in prison and a fine of $25,000;

Contact a DuPage County Attorney to Provide Effective Price Switching Representation

The attorneys at the law firm of Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C. defend every charge vigorously. If you are charged in error, we can work to refute the evidence and protect your rights and your reputation, especially for a crime that may not be eligible for expungement or sealing with a conviction. Our attorneys will challenge the prosecution in the price tag switching case against you or help you negotiate a sentence that you can live with. Call an experienced DuPage County criminal defense attorney at 630-472-9700 for a free initial consultation. We serve Elmhurst, Wheaton, Downers Grove, DuPage County and surrounding areas.