When facing criminal charges, it’s imperative to understand that many of these offenses can be considered misdemeanor or felony offenses, depending on the circumstances of the crime. As such, you’ll find that understanding the threshold and circumstances under which a misdemeanor can be elevated to a felony is critical. The following blog explores what you should know if you are facing a theft offense, including whether it will be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, as well as the penalties you can face if you’re convicted. Additionally, the following blog will explore the importance of working with a Montgomery County theft crime lawyer to help you navigate the legal system.
Is Theft Always a Felony Offense?
First and foremost, it’s important to understand what constitutes a theft offense in Pennsylvania. Typically, theft is an umbrella term used to describe any instance in which property is taken from its owner. As such, shoplifting, embezzlement, burglary, and identity theft are all technically considered theft crimes, though there are different statutes for many of these crimes.
It’s important to understand that theft is not always a felony offense in Pennsylvania. When you are charged with this crime, you’ll find that the general threshold of whether or not theft is afelony offense is the value of the property stolen. If the property is worth more than $1,000, it constitutes a felony, whereas property valued at less than this amount will generally be charged as a misdemeanor.
What Penalties Can I Face for a Theft Crime?
If you are charged with a theft offense in Pennsylvania, understanding the penalties you can face is critical. Generally, a misdemeanor theft crime warrants up to one year in jail. However, the consequences you can face if you are convicted of a felony theft crime will drastically increase, and will continue to increase based on the value of the stolen goods.
Under Pennsylvania law, theft of property valued between $1,000 and $10,000, or theft of firearms regardless of their value, is a third-degree felony. This carries up to seven years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines. The charges will increase to a second-degree felony if you are accused of stealing items valued between $10,000 and $100,000, or property like boats or vehicles, regardless of value. This carries up to ten years in prison and the potential for fines up to $25,000. If you are charged with a first-degree theft offense, you can face up to twenty years in prison and fines of up to $25,000.
As you can see, facing a theft offense is not something that should be taken lightly. The penalties you can face as a result of a felony theft conviction can be drastic, which is why it’s imperative to connect with an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you navigate this legal matter. At Mudrick & Zucker, P.C., we understand that this matter is overwhelming, which is why we will do everything in our power to help you fight the charges against you. When you need help, do not hesitate to contact us today.
