If You Did Not Return Your Rental Vehicle and Have Questions, Call Failure to Return Rental Vehicle Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer.

Above all, Illinois has unique auto theft laws that protect rental vehicles. As a result, in Illinois, if you do not return your rental vehicle in time, you could be charged with a misdemeanor. Sometimes, the State can charge you with a felony as well. Failure to return rental vehicle Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer warns that it is a serious offense.

Failure to Return a Rental Vehicle is a Crime in Illinois.

First, under 720 ILCS 5/16-3(a) a person commits theft of services when he or she knowingly obtains the temporary use of the property of another which are available only for hire, by means of deception or knowing that such use is without the consent of the person providing the property, labor or services. Certainly, it applies to rental vehicles. For example, in People v. Smith, 2014 IL App (1st) 103436. Here, a defendant intentionally did not extend his rental contract with Enterprise. As a result, the court found that the evidence was sufficient to prove the defendant guilty of all elements of theft of services of a rental car beyond a reasonable doubt where the defendant kept the car past the contract period. Under 720 ILCS 5/16-3(d), it is a Class A Misdemeanor to do that.

Failure to Return a Rental Vehicle Could Be a Felony in Illinois.

Second, under 720 ILCS 5/16-3(b), a person commits theft of a rental vehicle if he or she fails to return the vehicle after that person receives a written demand from the rental company. Specifically, if that person does not return the vehicle within 3 days from the mailing of the written demand, that person is guilty of auto theft of this rental vehicle. According to 720 ILCS 5/16-3(d), this is a Class 4 Felony.

Call Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer Tikhvinskiy ASAP to Fight Your Case.

First and foremost, if the state charges you with theft of a rental vehicle, you need to contact Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney Tikhvinskiy as soon as possible. Accordingly, Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer Tikhvinskiy will be able to choose the strongest defense based on consent, your knowledge, or any other factors. Learn how you can fight your theft of a rental vehicle charge. Call (312) 583-7345 today. The first consultation is free and 100% confidential.