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Work With A Proven Identity Theft Defense Attorney

Identity theft is increasingly the target of law enforcement investigations. Under Illinois law, a person commits identity theft by knowingly using someone else’s personal identifying information for fraudulent financial gain, to pose as that individual or to commit another crime.

If you have been charged with identity theft in Edwardsville or the surrounding areas — or if you believe you are under investigation — contact The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC, as soon as possible for a free consultation. We provide aggressive criminal defense for clients facing felony charges, including identity theft.

Defending Against Identity Theft Allegations

In most cases, identity theft charges involve allegations of credit card or debit card fraud, although identity theft schemes can take many forms and vary widely in complexity.

Identity theft allegations typically involve someone’s personal identifying information, which may even include publicly available data. Examples of personal identifying information include a person’s name, driver’s license number, date of birth, bank account number, credit card or debit card number, PIN number, Social Security number, online usernames and passwords, and mother’s maiden name.

Defending against an identity theft charge may involve questions of whether the accused individual actually knew a scheme was being enacted. Additionally, if the accused individual is a young juvenile, his or her age may be a favorable factor in the defense.

At The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC, we can thoroughly investigate your case to determine whether law enforcement violated your rights at any point during the investigation, and we will explore every available option for having the charge reduced or dismissed.

Aggravating Factors

The court considers various factors, including the amount that was allegedly taken, when determining the exact penalties for an identity theft conviction.

Additionally, Illinois law recognizes a number of aggravating factors that can result in increased penalties for identity theft. Aggravating factors may include:

  • The defendant has a prior conviction for a related offense.
  • The theft involved a large sum of money.
  • The theft was committed against a person with a disability.
  • The theft was committed against a person who was at least 60 years of age.
  • The theft was committed in connection with organized gang activity.

Depending on the facts of the case, a conviction could result in jail time, heavy fines, restitution and probation. If you are facing an identity theft charge, contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately.

Contact The Law Office Of Jessica Koester, LLC

For a free consultation to discuss your case with our attorney, contact us online or call our law office in Edwardsville, Illinois, at 618-307-4192. We can help minimize the consequences of your charge and create a defense strategy for protecting your future.