Legal Question in Securities Law in Illinois

The prosecution has to first prove you took something. If they don't at all, you're done but it would be up to you to request a finding after they rest their case. If the judge won't give you a pass, then that means the judge believes they put on ENOUGH evidence that now you have to prove that you didn't. That's when you'd have to put on your evidence, which could include testimony from your friend. ALTERNATIVELY you could try a plea bargain, but that could result in your having to "confess" to some charge and to some form of punishment. Time to get yourself a defense attorney -- this will haunt you in every job application at the very least, for some time. If you're young enough, even if you're found guilty you may later get it expunged, and there are other times this can be done, but again a "guilty" on your record won't help. Then, after all is said and done on the criminal side, the people who claim you stole from them can sue you for the amount of the goods if you are convicted. And they can EVEN sue you if you were not convicted since the amount of proof for a money judgment ("civil") case is LESS than it is for a criminal charge. SO GET A LAWYER!!!!

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