Montgomery County Theft Crime Lawyer

Crimes involving theft are harshly punished under Pennsylvania law. Theft is one of a number of crimes called Crimen Falsi meaning crimes of falsehood or dishonesty. Upon conviction of a Theft or Crimen Falsi, your criminal record will reflect that you have been convicted of a crime of dishonesty, meaning prospective employers and others will know of the crime you committed, making life exceedingly difficult for you, even after you’ve served your time. Jobs where honesty is important such as in the banking and financial industry, accounting, or jobs that require handling money or others’ property, or a job that leaves you alone in someone’s home or business may be impossible or difficult to get. In short, your integrity will always be questioned. That said, a seasoned Montgomery County theft crime lawyer can defend you from these charges and fight to preserve your freedom and reputation. Contact Mudrick & Zucker for help today.

Theft Crime Lawyer | Serving Clients in Montgomery County and all of Pennsylvania

If you’re currently facing theft charges, you need a dedicated Blue Bell criminal defense lawyer in your corner who can work to have your charges mitigated, or, in the best cases, dropped entirely. Look no further than Mudrick & Zucker.

Theft Defined Under Pennsylvania Law

Theft is defined as the unlawful taking or withholding of property from another person with the intent to deprive them of it. Pennsylvania law divides theft crimes into categories based on the type of property stolen and the value of the property stolen. Some examples of theft by type are:

• Theft by unlawful taking or disposition: Taking movable or immovable property without permission or authorization.
• Theft by deception: Obtaining property by lying, misleading, or tricking the owner.
• Theft by extortion: Obtaining property by threatening or coercing the owner.
• Theft of services: Obtaining services without paying or agreeing to pay for them.
• Theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received: Failing to pay or account for money or property that was entrusted to you or that you were legally obligated to pay or deliver.
• Theft of lost, mislaid, or delivered property: Keeping or disposing of property that you found or that was mistakenly delivered to you, without making reasonable efforts to return it to the owner.
• Receiving stolen property: Buying, receiving, or possessing property that you know or have reason to believe was stolen.

Penalties for Theft Crimes in Pennsylvania

The value of the property stolen determines the grading and severity of the theft offense. The following are the general rules for grading theft offenses in Pennsylvania:

• Stolen property valued at less than $50: Up to 90 days of incarceration and a potential $5,000 fine
• Stolen property valued at more than $50 but less than $200: Up to two years of incarceration and a potential $5,000 fine
• Stolen property valued at more than $2,000, or if the property is a firearm or motor vehicle: Up to seven years of incarceration and a potential $15,000 fine
• Stolen property valued at more than $100,000 or was taken during a disaster or emergency situation: Up to 10 years of incarceration and a potential $25,000 fine.
• Stolen property valued at more than $500,000: Up to 20 years of incarceration and a potential $25,000 fine.

Defenses Against Theft Charges

The defense our firm uses will depend largely on the circumstances of the alleged crime, but some of the most common, and strongest, defenses against theft charges are as follows:

• You didn’t realize you were stealing the property in question
• You thought you had permission to take the property in question
• There has been a case of mistaken identity
• Your rights were violated during the course of your arrest
• You did not intend to steal the property

Contact a Theft Crime Lawyer Today

Theft charges can have long-lasting ramifications upon conviction, which is why anyone facing these charges should retain the services of a seasoned theft crime lawyer who can effectively fight for their future. Contact Mudrick & Zucker today so we can get started building your defense.