Penalties for Theft Crimes in Pennsylvania

Theft crimes are those criminal activities involving the unlawful taking of another person's property or possessions with the intent to either deprive the person of its value or worth, or to benefit oneself. Theft can be committed through deceptive means, as a result of extortion, by stealing, through intimidation or force, by taking another person's misplaced or lost property for oneself, by receiving stolen property, through manipulation, by forgery or via any other means. If you have been arrested for a theft crime in the state of Pennsylvania you could be facing very serious charges and penalties. Any charges filed against you will become part of your permanent criminal record and could have a negative impact on future employment, your ability to get a home loan or any other endeavors that may require you to undergo a background check.

The charges and penalties you could face for a theft crime in Reading are as follows:

• For a theft involving property valued at less than $50, you could be charged with a Third Degree Misdemeanor and would be subject to up to 1 year in prison and fines not exceeding $2,500 upon your conviction.
• If you steal property valued at between $50 and $200 you could end up having Second Degree Misdemeanor charges filed against you, with penalties upon conviction involving up to a 2-year prison sentence and a maximum fine of $5,000.
• Stolen property with a value in excess of $200 can be charged as a First Degree Misdemeanor and penalties upon conviction may include up to 5 years imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines.
• In cases where the stolen property's total value exceeds $2,000 or the theft involves a motor vehicle or vessel, you could be charged with a Third Degree Felony. This type of felony charge will result in up to 7 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000 upon conviction.
• Should a firearm be used in the commission of a theft, you could be charged with a First Degree Felony and you would be facing up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $25,000.

With the assistance of a skilled theft crimes lawyer you can greatly improve your chances of avoiding criminal charges and staving off a conviction, however you must act quickly. When you obtain legal counsel from Curtis E. Barnes, Attorney at Law I will be able to take immediate action to review the circumstances that led up to your arrest so that I can begin strategizing for your defense. My experience as a former assistant district attorney gives me a unique perspective on the entire criminal process. Over the years I have been able to use this knowledge to help clients protect their rights and preserve their freedom, and I stand ready to help you achieve optimum results in your case as well. Contact a Reading theft crime lawyer at my firm to get started now.