Philadelphia Theft Defense Lawyer

There are many types of theft charges in Pennsylvania. Theft crimes, such as shoplifting and possessing stolen property, are some of the most common offenses that people are charged with in Philadelphia. While theft offenses range from misdemeanors to extremely serious felonies, all have the potential to result in jail time, costly fines, and other negative consequences if the defendant is convicted. Additionally, a convicted defendant will receive a criminal record and suffer damage to his or her reputation, which could result in job loss or inability to work in certain occupations.

If you or someone in your family was recently arrested for theft in Philadelphia, make sure you are represented by a tough defense attorney who knows the laws and how to navigate them. At the Law Office of Lloyd Long, our attorneys have represented thousands of defendants charged with felonies and misdemeanors, and may be able to have your charges reduced, have you acquitted, or even have your case dropped or dismissed. However, the longer you wait to seek legal help, the more difficult it will be for you to beat the charges.

Types of Theft Charges Our Criminal Lawyers Handle

“Theft” is actually a broad term that describes many different criminal offenses. If you or a family member has been charged with theft in Philadelphia, it is critical to make sure that your theft attorney has prior experience handling cases like yours.

At the Law Office of Lloyd Long, our award-winning criminal defense lawyers have worked on thousands of criminal cases, and approach every theft charge with decades of trial and courtroom experience. We analyze each client’s case from every possible angle, looking for the smallest of cracks or vulnerabilities in the prosecution’s strategy while ensuring that your constitutional rights are protected. Our Philadelphia theft lawyers are qualified to handle a wide array of theft charges in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties, including:

• Organized Retail Theft (Shoplifting) – 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3929.3
• Receiving Stolen Property – 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3925
• Shoplifting (Retail Theft) – 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3929
• Stealing Lost Property (Theft of Property Lost, Mislaid, or Delivered by Mistake) – 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3924
• Theft by Deception – 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3922
• Theft by Extortion – 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3923
• Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition – 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3921
• Theft from a Motor Vehicle – 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3934
• Theft of Services – 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3926
• Theft of Trade Secrets – 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3930
• Unauthorized Use of Automobiles and Other Vehicles – 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3928

In addition to representing defendants who have been arrested and charged with theft, our Philadelphia criminal attorneys also provide representation for defendants charged with related offenses, including:

• Assault (Simple, Aggravated)
• Burglary
• Gun Possession
• Robbery
• Vandalism and Property Crime

Penalties for Misdemeanor and Felony Theft in PA

The criminal penalties for theft in Pennsylvania depend on many different factors, which include:

• Aggravating factors or mitigating factors.
• The circumstances under which the theft took place. For instance, theft is a second degree felony if it takes place during a natural disaster.
• The defendant’s record of prior offenses, if any.
• The nature of the item or service stolen. For example, theft is a second degree felony when the stolen item is a firearm, regardless of the gun’s monetary value. If the stolen item is a car, boat, airplane, or other motorized vehicle, theft is a third degree felony.
• The value of the item or service stolen. For example, theft is generally a first degree felony when the stolen object or service is worth $500,000 or more.
• Whether the offense was a felony or a misdemeanor, and how the offense was classified. For example, a first degree misdemeanor is capable of resulting in harsher penalties than a second degree misdemeanor.

Depending on the value of the stolen property, the type of property that was stolen, and other details, theft can be a third degree misdemeanor (e.g. theft under $50), second degree misdemeanor (e.g. unauthorized use of a car), first degree misdemeanor (e.g. shoplifting $150 or more), third degree felony (e.g. theft over $2,000 but less than $100,000), second degree felony (e.g. theft of at least $100,000 but less than $500,000), or first degree felony (e.g. theft of $500,000 or more). Depending on how an offense is graded, jail or prison sentences for theft-related misdemeanors and felonies in Pennsylvania may include:

• PA Misdemeanor Theft Sentencing
  • Third Degree Misdemeanor Theft – 1-year maximum sentence
  • Second Degree Misdemeanor Theft – 2-year maximum sentence
  • First Degree Misdemeanor Theft – 5-year maximum sentence

• PA Felony Theft Sentencing
  • Third Degree Felony Theft – 7-year maximum sentence
  • Second Degree Felony Theft – 10-year maximum sentence
  • First Degree Felony Theft – 20-year maximum sentence

Additionally, there are some cases where theft-related statutes require or allow for extra penalties. For example, under 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3926(f), “The court may, in addition to any other sentence authorized by law, sentence a person convicted of [theft of services] to make restitution,” which means the defendant can be ordered to compensate the victim for financial losses resulting from the theft.

Philadelphia Theft Defense Attorneys Offering Free Consultations

The legal team at the Law Office of Lloyd Long is eminently qualified and thoroughly prepared with the knowledge, the skill, and the experience to manage every aspect of your case. Our theft defense lawyers have repeatedly achieved results that are clear in our track record of acquittals, sentence reductions, and other favorable case outcomes.

We have helped thousands of defendants navigate Pennsylvania’s complicated legal system, and are ready to provide the assistance and protection you require. For a free legal consultation about theft charges in Philadelphia or the surrounding area, call our law offices immediately at (215) 302-0171. We are here to assist in any way we can.