DuPage County Grand Theft Auto Defense Lawyers
Safeguarding your Reputation, Liberty, and Future
If you are arrested for an auto crime or another theft related charge, your future can be severely impacted by a conviction. A felony record, imprisonment, and other penalties can adversely affect your career, education, immigration status and many other aspects of your life. Fortunately, our DuPage County criminal defense lawyers have successfully defended individuals face allegations that they stole vehicles.
Theft of a Motor Vehicle under Illinois Law
Illinois law does not have a specific statute for the offense referred to as “grand theft auto” in other states. However, offenses involving taking the motor vehicle of another person are covered under the general Illinois theft statute. A person may be charged with a theft of property, such as an auto if they knowingly engage in any of the following acts:
- Threatening the vehicle owner to obtain control of the vehicle;
- Exercising unauthorized control over the vehicle;
- Taking possession or control of a vehicle with knowledge that it is stolen or under circumstances that would put a reasonable person on notice the vehicle was stolen; and
- Obtaining control of another person’s vehicle by use of deception.
Along with engaging in one of the forms of conduct above, the prosecutor must also prove that the accused had the specific permanently to deprive the owner of the ability to use or benefit from the vehicle. Alternatively, the prosecutor must prove an intent to conceal, use or abandon the vehicle with knowledge that it will permanently deprive the owner of use or benefit of the vehicle.
Illinois Criminal Defense Attorneys for Auto Theft Offenses
Our DuPage County auto theft lawyers at Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. have developed a national reputation for providing tenacious defense while representing more than 16,000 individuals charged with criminal offenses including vehicle theft charges. Our founding partner Donald Ramsell has received a multitude of accolades that include:
- Perfect 10.0 Superb Rating by AVVO;
- Illinois Super Lawyer by Chicago Magazine;
- Illinois Leading Lawyer in Illinois Criminal Appeals by Crane Magazine; and
- Illinois Leading Lawyer in Criminal-DUI Defense by Crane Magazine.
When your future is clouded by a potential felony conviction, you need attorneys with the skill, knowledge and experience of Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C.. We have been successfully defending individuals against the government for over twenty years.
Exposure to Punishment for Stealing a Vehicle in Illinois
The penalty for theft of an automobile will depend on a number of factors including the circumstances and value of the vehicle. If the vehicle is worth more than $500 but less than $10,000, the offense constitutes a Class 3 Felony, which is punishable by up to five years of imprisonment. If the vehicle is valued at more than $10,000 but less than $100,000, the crime constitutes a Class 2 Felony, which carries a maximum sentence of a seven year imprisonment. There are many other factors that can affect the sentence, such as the victim’s status as a senior citizen or the property status as government property. Depending on the facts, you may face other charges like carjacking, joyriding or failure to return a rental car.
Proven Illinois Auto Theft Defense Law Firm
Our DuPage grand theft auto lawyers are dedicated to delivering persuasive defense of our clients’ rights and liberty. We invite you to call us today at 630-256-8001 or to send us an email to schedule your free consultation in our conveniently located office in Naperville. Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. also has offices in Wheaton and St. Charles or Rolling Meadows by appointment.
